The most miraculous process is watching a song go from a tiny idea in the middle of the night to something that 55,000 people are singing back to you.

I leave the genre labeling to other people. I really do. If I were to think too hard about it, that would stifle you creatively. If you think too hard about who other people want you to be as an artist, it stops you from being who you want to be as an artist.

When I'm thinking about going on a date with some guy or considering liking him, it really doesn't matter what they do or how that affects my career.

My favorite thing in the world is telling stories, and most of what I do is telling stories through music.

Songs are my diaries; they always have been. You have to put your trust in everyone because putting down those real, personal details and thoughts that make a song authentic also opens you right up. I am constantly misunderstood; a lot of people just don't get me.

I've always written songs the same way. You learn different tricks - you learn craft, you learn structure, all that - as you go.

There are two ways you can go with pain: You can let it destroy you or you can use it as fuel to drive you.