1. What's the first app you check in the morning?
My news app on Apple.
2. What's your favorite curse word?
I say poop a lot. It's not my favorite, but I have small children. So I can't drop the F-bomb or say "shit" just any time I want to.
"I texted with Brandi Carlile last night."
3. What's the last thing you searched for on Google?
To be honest, I looked up Steve Jobs and his relationship with his daughter [Lisa Brennan-Jobs] because I'm reading her book, Small Fry, and I wanted to see how much of it was true.
4. Who's the last celebrity you texted?
I texted with Brandi Carlile last night.
5. What was the hardest song for you to write on your new album, Threads?
I had "Nobody's Perfect" for about four years before I finished it. And once I [had] Emmylou Harris sing on it, it came together. But, before that, I couldn't figure out what it was about or how to finish it.
6. Where do you write your best material?
I write my best material in my studio. I used to write in my bedroom, on my bed. But now I have this great studio above my horses that's super vibe-y, and it feels like a sanctuary. It's very quiet.
7. This is the last physical album you'll be putting out. What do you want fans to know about it?
Well I hope that people will listen to it as an album. I know that's asking a lot. But I think there's a great journey through the whole album that does tie all of the artists on the record together. And I think everybody on the record has influenced everybody on the record, which has been kind of beautiful.
8. What TV show are you obsessed with right now?
The last TV show I watched was Ozark, and I binge-watched it. It's great. It's so dark.
9. What’s the first CD you ever bought?
Toni Childs. This girl in the '80s [who was] like the female Peter Gabriel. And I played her record over and over. She had a nose ring that connected to her earlobe and that was so cutting edge.
"I'm not gonna lie. I really like Billie Eilish's record."
10. Which current artists are you into?
Well, I'm not gonna lie. I really like Billie Eilish's record. I love The Highwomen's record — I was lucky enough to get to be on that record, so I've heard it and it's really great. I love Courtney Barnett's last record, so great. I love Shawn Mendes — I told him, I'm just like the biggest mom geek. And I love Alessia Cara too, I think she's fantastic.
11. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Haters on the internet that say, "Shut up and sing." I've gotten kind of used to it. But it's just a fixture now with people being able to give voice to their every tiny little criticism. I totally ignore it. My mom has this great saying, "You can't wish for them to be more miserable than they already are." So I figured people who go on the internet and just spew ugliness, what is going on in your life? Go vent to somebody else. But they must feel good after they've vented. So if I can provide that for someone, then great.
12. What’s the one food you can’t resist?
Dark chocolate.
"I do remember thinking everybody on [One Tree Hill] was beautiful."
13. Can you share any memories from your guest appearance on Season 1 of One Tree Hill?
I do not know how in the heck I got to be on that show...I do remember thinking everybody on that show was, first of all, beautiful. And secondly, so sweet. I mean, like the sweetest kids. I loved being on that show. And that show has had more traction than anything else. People still talk about it.
14. What was your biggest childhood fear?
One of my parents dying. It's funny, when you're little you think your parents are so old. My first recollection of my mom, she was like 30. And I was like, "Oh my god, she's gonna die soon. She's so old."
15. How do you prevent yourself from letting fear takeover?
Well, I am a big meditator. So I have tricks that I do. One of the things about fear is that it's totally connected to your endorphins. So I just feel my feet. Like conscientiously feel the energy in the bottom of my feet to keep me grounded.
16. What’s your favorite emoji?
The one I use the most is thumbs up 👍 and my favorite one is probably the one with the rolling eyes 🙄. I do love that one. I find I use that one a lot as well. Always comes in handy.
17. When you walk into a bar, what’s your drink of choice?
Guinness on tap.
18. What’s the last book you read?
I just finished The Overstory [by Richard Powers] and it was unbelievable. It's so good. That's a book that makes me want to go write songs.
19. What song can put you in a good mood, even on your worst day?
"Happy" by Pharrell.
20. Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
Leif Garrett.
21. What’s one thing your fans would be surprised you know how to do?
I'm an excellent baton twirler. If you go on the internet, you can probably find me twirling in a bikini behind John Mayer. We did a tour together 14 or 15 years ago, and at the last show we Punk'd him — my band came out wearing big animal heads and I came out twirling.
22. What’s the best thing about touring?
Playing music with my friends. I always joke that all of my friends are on my payroll. But they kind of are, because I love my band so much.
23. And the worst?
Trying to eat healthy. Yeah, that's challenging.
24. What’s the corniest pickup line someone’s ever used on you?
"Do people tell you that you look like Sheryl Crow?" I hear that a lot.
"'Do people tell you that you look like Sheryl Crow?' I hear that a lot."
25. What's your wildest fan story?
I have a great fan story. My first record, we toured for a year and a half, just building a following and being completely unknown. And then we won the Grammys and had to go back out and tour that same album for another year. And we were kind of burnt out. We decided every time, we're going to go to a children's hospital. So, I met a girl at St. Jude's. She was 14. She was going through leukemia treatment and she was missing her homecoming dance. And we sang to her and she was really bummed out. Anyway, cut to like, 20 years later, we played Mud Island in Memphis, and she came to the meet and greets. And she was like 30 years old. And she brought the picture of the two of us and I remembered her and it was just one of those amazing, life-affirming stories.
26. Describe a perfect day for you.
My perfect day would be hanging out with my boys. Maybe going boating and doing some tubing and skiing. Just hanging out having a total free day with no plans.
27. When do you feel the most empowered?
I think going out and playing music now makes me feel really empowered, particularly as a woman and having done it as long as I have — to have a career that has spanned 30 years. It's not only empowering, but it's super humbling. And I feel more intact with gratitude than ever.
