Why a children’s book reading?
In the beginning of my career, it was really important for me to focus on my music and creating one sound, one presentation, one image. But now I’m really about expanding my horizons and doing things I’ve never done before. I’m purposely choosing to do things that may have once made me hesitate, or that I feared.

So you fear children?
(Laughs) This is simply me saying “yes” to a new opportunity. It’s actually the same philosophy I had when I started out. There’s always a reason to try something; and I believe nothing comes to you by coincidence.

What kind of kid were you?
My mom said I was quiet and serious. I do remember taking things very heavily; childhood is carefree, but I didn’t feel that. I was full of care and focus. I spent a lot of time working on projects and wanting to be a grown-up. It was frustrating for me; I’d draw a comic book or make up trading cards, usually something visual with a business aspect, and it was hard to be taken seriously. I just remember thinking I wanted to be an adult, so I could work on better projects and they would go somewhere. That eventually was how I got into music – I thought it was the ultimate way to entertain myself with work.

Doing things like this—was there something that made you want to alter people’s perception of you as just a musician?
 I was fortunate enough to meet Steven Tyler. He told me you start with a specific idea of what you want…and then, at some point, you look back and you realize you’ve achieved that. And I started to realize, as an artist, paradox and confusion is kind of what I’m all about. It excites me. It makes sense I’d want to create that.

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