I'm always working my own thing. A few times a week - I try to not go too crazy - I'm working with some other artist. But I'm constantly working my own stuff, and my own stuff seems to come in little bursts.
I think I have a different view of what pop is and what can be acceptable in that realm. I feel good about that. I want fans to see that not everything's so black and white with genres.
'Girls Go Wild' was born out of a Joshua Tree excursion with some close friends after coming home from a long bit of touring.
If Hillary Clinton had been president, we'd have had a false sense of security. Trump has brought everything to the light - racism, homophobia. It's one of our darkest points, because we should know better.
I have a retro feel to my work, to my person, but I also have a futuristic view of what's possible. We can have people in pop that have more diverse looks and attitudes.
I think one of the people that's done the most for the gay movement is Ellen DeGeneres.
Trying to launch a career as an artist is like trying to run through a crowd holding hands with five people. It's so difficult.
It is very hard leaving home for life on the road. The toll that it takes is actually immeasurable, and you can think all you want about what it does to your relationships, but the way it actually plays out is very deep and very unique to those personalities that are involved.
My thing with New York was that it felt so insular. When I went to L.A., everybody I knew was a cool, amazing musician. In New York, they'd be hunkered down trying to form a band. But in L.A., guys in bands were also playing with other artists, touring with other artists, and collaborating with other artists.
I was having a nice anonymous little time as a writer. I really was on the writer path. I was sort of minding my own business. I loved making a living in music.
I feel like how I live my life is my own political statement.
I'm not looking to be a gay poster child. If you're gay, and I inspire you, I don't want to put that down. But I'm not looking to be your gay savior.
I've written for Rita Ora; I've written for Chiddy Bang - there's been a few.
You could have written the biggest hit song, and all eyes are looking to you to write another one. It's not a thankless job; it's just an endless job.
