I've realised that if I aim for a successful record, I probably won't have any success. But if I keep making weird things, then hopefully the audiences will come to us.
With every record I put out, I got a bit more success, a bigger following in cities I would play in, and occasionally a bit of radio play.
The people that call me to play on records call me because they think that I will suit their music. And the people whose music I suit are by and large people that I'm a fan of.
I had no idea what awaited me when I took a job with CBS Records, and it was a total surprise to find I had a gift and an ear for music.
It's entertaining to watch somebody break my music down or explain what he thinks I was thinking during the process of making these records. Because... he has no idea.
Music is so hard. It's a struggle to get people to care. It's hard to make an impact in today's world because people aren't buying records anymore.
What does it mean to a person whose identity is very wrapped up in the music she makes, if her worth is measured by how many records she sells?
I have one piece of music, since 1997, and I don't see it having lyrics. Where does it go in this world? So I haven't recorded it.
I try to listen to a lot of music when I'm in the mixing process of a record, when I'm in post-production and trying to get everything to sound a certain way.
We asserted ourselves as a music community, and showed legislators that music is positive. Especially if you've sold 300 million records worldwide and pay taxes.
Rock and roll music - people want records. For me, it's the whole thing - the package. I don't get satisfaction from buying an MP3.
I started writing music when I was around twelve. My current record company saw a video of me performing at my school's talent show.
More labels should be like that. Instead of putting these records out myself, I should have just signed with them, but they probably don't like my music (laughs).
My first two records are so simply constructed. The reason isn't because I wanted to make simple music. It's because I don't really have the chops.
There's this thing called compulsory licensing law that allows artists through the record companies to take your music at will without your permission.
Think about the number of people who do film music, make records and have a Native American heritage - and I may be the only one on the list.
They said I was a married mother of two but the record sounded like an indie album and they didn't know how to market it! This country is incredibly sexist, as is the music and media industry.
I think records and music are more appropriate and more respectful of the human soul than the churches are. And more respectful of the needs of humans to communicate with the aspects of themselves that are neglected by language.
The fact is that a bill allowing any employer to deny insurance coverage based on a moral objection - along with giving an employer permission to ask for medical records showing why a woman is taking birth control - opens up a set of problems that I'...
Every single morning, I have a person sitting right there next to me in prayer with a tape recorder - and a song comes up every day.
Karen Richards: This beats all records for running, standing or jumping gall.
