I try to create songs that are really massive and intense, but at the same time remaining honest and raw.

I don't find much influence in opera. It was such a different part of me.

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.

Everything I do is a reflection of the duality within me. Musically, I really love things that are very synthetic and unnatural. And I also like the organic and human... the intrinsic, I guess.

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

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

I guess something people wouldn't expect me to listen to are artists like Alicia Keys. But she is so incredibly talented. She has this huge voice and great work ethic, which I really respect in an artist. She is also very humble and gracious and devoted to her skill.