I started playing in bars when I was about 15 years old, and there are things that I saw early on that really shaped who I am.
Whether or not all this came to pass in an East African ditch, I wouldn't like to say. Perhaps it happened in North Africa or further west, but Africa was definitely the place.
Engaging with the audience lets them know I'm approachable. I don't like that whole, 'You can't talk to Sheila E thing' - I don't like that.
What drives me is really just being able to be a blessing to someone, you know. I really enjoy that, and as much as I can do, I will.
The point in me playing with Prince was to let a lot of people know that I can play trap. I don't think people know that.
When your child is looking up at you, and you are putting them to bed at night, and they are just lying there, you have to remind yourself that's what it's all about.
We were signed to a label that wanted us to remain little girls who appealed to other little girls, who were cute and non-threatening.
I come from the home-grown punk ethic, where it doesn't matter if you can't play a note, it's how you communicate.
Bananarama were written off from day one. Nobody believed in us but us. We kept having hits despite the record company, despite the press.
I wouldn't be interested in just doing a show that's mapped out and choreographed with a set list. That would've been boring so long ago it just wouldn't be any fun.
There was just no way I could leave this little Martin guitar in my apartment overnight or even in the afternoon, and expect to find it there when I got back.
For as long as I'm able to write songs and sing them, it's just about making them ones I feel proud to sing again and again.
And the big question for the West, of course, and to the Europeans is, what other countries, which were formerly part of the Soviet bloc, should be incorporated into western institutions?
I feel, in a way, on a record, you can be more subtle. In the live setting, everything gets amplified. The dynamics are more extreme in concert.
I think a lot of contemplation happens in bathtubs. It does for me. Nothing like a hot bath to ease the tension and think about what's going to happen next.
I feel like I really tapped into a pretty honest emotional place for myself as a lyricist. There's a broad spectrum of emotions.
I think I've become a much better singer and a much better player. Years and years of playing a couple of hours every day will do that.
I was put out there as a spokesperson for the new feminist revolution. It was very difficult because I was either too feminist or not feminist enough, depending on who you spoke to.
'Rent-a-tile' means when you go to a dance hall, some people take the middle of the dance floor and do their thing.
I know some very political people who rap, and they say very political things and they'll never get a deal.
I'm so hard on myself. I play these sketches in my computer for friends and they say 'Gee whiz, the vocal's beautiful.' I hear, 'It needs to be better.'
