You bring to a painting your own experience.
I didn't not perform.
A Grammy is a wonderful thing; all of a sudden you're given a new audience but, like anything, you have to be able to grow with these songs if you really want a long artistic career.
I was part of the first wave of singersongwriters but I was also in that first wave of singersongwriters who experienced the music industry when technology started to take over.
I tried to please people instead of believing in my own strength, until the only thing I could do was walk away.
Yeah, you know, I performed occasionally. I was in such despair because I just - if I didn't have my music to connect with, I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to be doing. There was never a 'B' plan here; it was just this. So it took me a long time to find my way.
Don't cry out loud, keep it inside, learn how to hide your feelings. Fly high and proud, and if you should fall, remember you almost had it all.
From the music I make, to the things I do in my life, I'm true to my R&B core.
I go around the world dealing with running and hiding. . . I can't take a walk in the park. I can't go to the store. . . I have to hide in the room. You feel like you're in prison.
You don't realize that when you're young, and you're surprised there's a lot of people at your gig - you just think it's general British-press hype.
Aggression only breeds more aggression. It only creates more fear and anger.