I had very modest expectations when I first moved to New York. I didn't even expect to get a record deal.

I'm not planning to jump off a bridge with no bungee.

During my first photo shoot, I was unhappy because they put so much makeup on me and straightened my hair. I've been stubborn ever since.

I don't want to be singing my diary.

If I make a record I love, then somebody will like it. Maybe not everybody, but that won't matter.

It's important to keep indie record stores alive because their unique environments introduce music lovers to things in a very personal way.

I used to be a jazz snob, believe it or not. I sort of turned my nose up at anything more commercial.