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

You are born and then you die, but in between you can do anything you want. It's society that creates rules for us, but you can break out of that.

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.

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

The greatest benefit of being a solo performer is that it is seriously frightening, but at the same time very empowering. It's just you and the audience. All the weight is on you to deliver the songs.

When you fall in love, you become weak.

I feel like humans are a disease. It's a hard thing to communicate in a pop song. I mean, who wants to hear that?