Kristin Hersh

I grew up in a commune where no one considered me female, particularly.

I've always chosen my band members based on their sense of humor. It might sound stupid, but it means not only are they fun to live with on a tour bus for years, but humor implies intelligence.

That's my dream job, to be able to mail songs out to people who want to hear them. Paste my face on them and not travel all over the world trying to sell them.

Popular music sucks so bad right now.

I'm beginning to think I have two years encountering sexism without really realising it.

I don't like what the radio plays for the most part.

I don't like the idea of famous people.

The songs keep on writing themselves, and I really love them. It's as close as I get to a religion.

I felt like it was a great secret when I found out that I could be in my 30s.

I don't have the inclinations that other people seem to have as far as the business is concerned.

Most of the younger people I knew didn't seem to have a handle on things; they hadn't found their place, they didn't understand how the world works, they didn't understand how to treat other people, and they didn't know how to stop thinking about themselves.

You have to follow every melodic line, every emotional idea, or you don't get your money's worth.