Often I have to move my body in a certain way, like exercising, to begin to get into the right rhythm for writing a song.

Studios are designed to pull out all of that beautiful ambience you get from singing in a room, and then the engineer puts it back in digitally or through whatever machinery you've got.

I grew up as a Catholic, and there was so much that was beautiful there, and also so much that was troubling. The whole patriarchal thing, the whole male-dominated approach, really bothered me.

I was asked to sing with Mavis Staples on a gospel compilation called 'Oh Happy Day.' And, you know, other than being totally intimidated at the prospect of singing with Mavis, I was honored. I don't really have much of a background in gospel music.

I was brought up to express myself only when asked to express myself and then to do so in a way that's pleasing to hear. But I've always had a need to make my presence known. I was just sort of born that way, I guess. It's my natural tendency.

I don't necessarily buy any key to the future of happiness, but I need a little place in the sun sometimes or I think I will die.

I think there are times when a song can be a spiritual experience - just making music, in general, is pretty much that.