When my husband gives me this ultimatum, "You either stop singing, or you move out," then it became very clear that what I needed to do - not just because I wanted to sing, but because I didn't want to live with anybody who issued ultimatums to me like that - would be to move out.

To be up on stage and interacting with musicians, that was a huge epiphany for me.

It's kind of condoned in our society: There are things that an abusive mate could get away with with their partner that they could not with a stranger.

I just love music. I love all kinds of music, and I was exposed to it, me and my siblings, from the time we were in utero.

I don't see how a person can be sensuous - unless they're just, you know, following some kind of script - without being vulnerable.

I think that's the role of an artist, right? To touch someone and make us stretch out just a little bit more.

I've never been the type of singer that can sing in heels and the gown and all this stuff, because I can't get to where I want to go while I'm in that getup.