I've been getting interested in reimagining folk songs and writing songs that should have existed but didn't, particularly around the Civil War when black voices were muted and only allowed particular channels.

There were musicians that influenced me, but they weren't all women. Teena Marie was a big influence because she wrote and produced her own music, which let me know that women could write and produce their own music, which was an empowering moment for me.

My third day playing saxophone, I was in front of a congregation. I still didn't know the names of all the notes. I was playing by ear, following along, but it was such an encouraging environment, I couldn't fail. It was all, 'Yeah baby, you sound real good' no matter what you play. It was a great way to learn.

You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what title the music is, it's all played by the same notes.

I always say, you gotta play a dive bar like you play an arena, and you play an arena like you play a dive bar.

Things like guitars and ukuleles, you should never part with it, because there will probably be good, healthy times spent, just playing and writing.