Frank Gehry
There is a narrative in modern architecture. We struggle to find our own
presence around it. Designers and architects carve space, charge the
atmosphere, and suggest how you should move through a building or a room.
Gehry is as much a choreographer as architect. His lines and clean curves
help me think in verses.

“So this time I asked to be left single, just to try it out.”
In a city that loves striving, I’ve been trying it out for the past six
years. Oh, there have been men and men and men. But not a man. By embracing
independence, I was able to focus on songwriting and making records which
I’m passionately in love with. However, lately, I’ve been thinking it’s time
to create a little more space between the notes.

Music on My iPod
Doves, Neil Diamond, Alana Davis, Marianne Pillsbury, Aqualung, Audioslave, Barry Manilow, Ben Lee, De La Soul, Christopher Dallman, Depeche Mode, The Duhks, EBTG, The Golden Palominos, Iron & Wine, Over the Rhine, Ivy, Johnathan Rice, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Lemon Jelly, Munk, Out Hud, Simply Red, Petra Haden, and The White Stripes.

High Heels
A high heel says something about a woman. I’m 5’10. Three inch heels make me over 6 ‘ as I hail a cab on the corner. Femininity is no easy thing and heading home high-heeled with nothing to report is deflating. Pinot noir and cigarettes help. But these days I’m becoming friendlier with heels that I can’t possibly run in. Which makes me easier to catch?

CPR
Recently I’ve understood there’s a whole world beyond my skin. I used to
believe we were just blood sausages stuffed into bodies. With the magic of therapy and pills, things began to turn. I began actually answering my
phone. And liking people. And enjoying the words that came out of their
mouths. My brain no longer drove the car. My torso rules freely now.

66,700 MPH…
…is the earth’s speed around the sun. So we’re all practically standing
still. Specks standing. Specks singing. Specks loving. Specks breeding.
Nothing really matters. But we’re here, so we may as well stay curious and
enjoy each minute.

100 laps...
...or less we each get to take around the Sun. Enjoy each lap, and remember were all moving at the same speed.

Wes Anderson, Charlie Kaufman and the Cohen Brothers
Kings of dark humor. My favorite movies have been made by these guys… including “Rushmore,” “Raising Arizona” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”

Central Park Dance Skaters
“Only freaks and weirdos move to New York City…” I do not believe this is
true. But if I did, I would need look no further for proof than to Central
Park on a Sunday afternoon. In a little patch of pavement, there is a DJ,
twists and twirls, inspired outfits, 6 year olds and 80 year olds - all
roller skating. Those of us who are wheel-less get to stand on the sidelines clapping while watching the circus for free.

Laura Nyro
The voice of this brilliant 70s singer and songwriter is unparalleled. My vocal coach Liz Caplin turned me onto Laura and I began learning songs like "Poverty Train" and "Lonely Women." I'm blessed to have Laura's renowned drummer Frank Pagano playing on "Living in My Skin." I like to think that a bit of her spirit lives on in my record.

Seal
Just hearing Seal through my ears is unsatisfying because I want to eat it, keep it inside and take it with me! I feel, more than listen to, his music.

Cleopatra
Did you know that this famous Queen is said to have kept a container of buzzing bees by her bedside for use as a primitive vibrating device? Wow. And wow.

Grace
My maternal grandmother, Grace, lived in the West Village of Manhattan in the 20s and 30s. She was an original city girl before that HBO show. Grace remained single until her early 40s when she met my grandfather who was a painter in the Village. She loved the urban lifestyle, conversation with flamboyant friends, visiting the Met, drinking beer, and dancing. She's watching over me as I play on the same streets she did 80 years ago.

The Matrix
Most people are sleeping in a pod of goo unable to feel and to sense. The desire to destroy beauty abounds. Choosing to be an individual is choosing to be free. Not just from your family, your community, your culture….but from yourself. Wake up.

Iron Chef
Whatever ails you, the cure is watching Iron Chef. The showmanship! The surreal over-dubbed English. The gag-inducing ingredients. The sweat. The bravado. The eventual culinary masterpieces. Did I mention the showmanship?

Furniture
Form sings. Furniture made in the mid-twentieth century speaks to me. Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Gehry, Noguchi…these artists spoke through clean lines and sensual materials that are revolutionary but classic. A space filled with these designs emits a frequency that calms me. It gives me a safe place to reflect.

Animal Pharmacy
Watching the Discovery Channel at 4:30 in the morning has taught me many a mind-blowing fact. For example, our world is filled with various wild animals and insects seeking out, and consuming, psychoactive substances in their environments. And here I thought it was just me.

Home Movies
Nobody but you is losing sleep worrying about your goals, trials and tribulations. Sure, people love you and feel empathy but make no mistake, you are a supporting character to every other person you encounter. Realizing this is incredibly freeing. So own the fact that you're the star, don't apologize, and shine on baby!