Musician

Fashion is inspired by youth and nostalgia and draws inspiration from the best of the past.

I didn't live at school, I lived where I could and studied what I enjoyed studying. I took what I wanted from that education but was making my first record at the same time. I don't know anyone from school. I was just leading a different life. I was really interested in writing and other things.

When I found somebody who I fell in love with, it made me feel different than I felt the rest of the day. It was electrifying. That's what inspired the 'Off to the Races' melodies. That's one of the times when you're feeling electrified by someone else and they make you happy to be alive.

Seeing myself on the screen makes me cringe. I understand that I am that way - pouty.

I've been writing since I was really young, so I considered myself a writer for a really long time.

When I got to New York City when I was 18, I started playing in clubs in Brooklyn - I have good friends and devoted fans on the underground scene, but we were playing for each other at that point - and that was it.

People are really talkative in New York. Someone always comes up to me and says 'Hi' during the day.

Stylistically, I love make-up. I love doing my own make-up and stuff, but clothes-wise, I actually didn't ever really care. Initially the fashion world was more interested in me than the music world, which was strange when I first started singing.

I have a personal ambition to live my life honestly and honor the true love that I've had and also the people I've had around me.

I'm personally more struck by visual things more than musical.

I believe nothing happens by mistake. You know, the universe has a divine plan. That sounds dramatic.

I was always singing but didn't plan on pursuing it seriously. When I got to New York City when I was 18, I started playing in clubs in Brooklyn - I have good friends and devoted fans on the underground scene, but we were playing for each other at that point - and that was it.

I don't believe in the school of hard knocks, although I've had them. All that stuff about whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger is so not true. Do you know what makes you stronger? When people treat you and your art with dignity.

My dancing is Hawaiian-inspired but I also get a little fresh when it comes to my faster songs.

I don't know that much about who directs what movies, but I'm definitely inspired by the look of old movies; I find them to be really beautiful.

If you are born an artist, you have no choice but to fight to stay an artist.

I don't really have any gimmicks. I don't actually do anything that's strange. I don't even wear weird things.

My music is a luxury.

I used to wonder if it was God's plan that I should be alone for so much of my life. But I found peace. I found happiness within people and the world.

I have kind of a funny relationship with movies. I don't have to see the whole movie to get an impression of it or to let it have an influence on me.