Michelle Branch

“I think I'm also more open to other writers being present and listening to other opinions, whereas before I was going through my angsty teen years while making records.”

“I actually got reprimanded by Stevie Nicks, who was like, 'You're sharing too much! You need to leave an air of mystery.'”

“When I'm having a bad day, I pick up my guitar.”

“Eventually my goal is get a place in Ojai where I can have animals and a big garden. Just drink wine all day and hang in my garden.”

“People have this notion of me being this sweet, nice girl, but I'm kind of a pervert.”

“I'm just more comfortable in my own skin now.”

“I feel connected to whatever is out there.”

“I would love to be in musical theater and be on Broadway. If someone were to offer me a position to do something like that, I wouldnt pass it down. Im a huge fan of musicals and I really want to do that.”

“My style when I was 17 was very low-key with jeans, T-shirts, and Converse. I was signed to a major record label by then, so I had stylists helping me.”

“I followed my heart and figured that if I tried and failed, at least I'd know that I tried.”

“I think its so cool that you can pick up the guitar and create something that didn't exist 5 minutes ago. You can write something that no ones ever heard before. You have music at your fingertips.”

“When I sing, I have a sense of peace, I feel like my brain turns off, and I become the core person of who I am - the essence of me. I feel connected to whatever is out there. It's almost like I leave my body and get to watch.”

“I put myself into character for my songs.”

“Music is my release.”

“Ten years into it, I can finally go, 'Oh, I just want to make a record that's fun to make and I don't have to prove that I deserve to be here.'”

“I was definitely a choir and theater geek.”

“I was so adamant about proving myself for so long and I've gotten to the point where I don't have to do that as much.”

“If you want to get my attention, wear a pirate outfit.”

“I always tell people that I'll sound exactly like Alanis Morissette after I've had more boyfriends. I'll be just as anguished-sounding.”

“Music has always been in me.”