I started performing opera when I was 10 years old. I didn't perform as Zola Jesus until I was probably 18.

The most important thing for us to do as beings is to be aware of our position in the world on a micro and macro level.

My music started as a way to break through weaknesses - like anxiety, which was completely taking over my whole life, where I could barely function.

No matter what you do, if there's something you're afraid of, you need to break through it.

The only reason I would write a break-up song is because my own problem of allowing myself to relate to people.

A lot of times I have the song inside of me and I have to fight to get it out. I'm a very visual person, so I can see the song but I can't hear it. But I think that if your music becomes a war for it to happen, in the end there's a certain kind of aggression in the music. And I think that's a lot more interesting.

I don't know why people think I'm a Goth - that's a misconception.