I was a quiet teenager introverted full of angst.

I'm really an inner spirit that only makes itself known through the music. A lot of people think I'm an introvert or quiet and moody. I've even heard some people say that there's a certain mystery or darkness about me. I'm not that way. I'm just really into what I do.

In America life is introverted self-absorbed - and so is their music.

I'm an introvert... I love being by myself love being outdoors love taking a long walk with my dogs and looking at the trees flowers the sky.

I think any branding for me is band-related. It's really weird to get used to the exposure because I am a naturally introverted person and I'm not exactly social. Occasionally I can get comfortable enough to talk but I spend a lot of my days not talking especially when I'm at home and not on tour.

Spare a thought for the poor introverts among us. In a world of party animals and glad-handers they're the ones who stand by the punch bowl. In a world of mixers and pub crawls they prefer to stay home with a book. Everywhere around them cell phones ring and e-mails chime and they just want a little quiet.

My dad is like a cactus - introverted and tough. I'm a people person like my mom but I got my competitiveness from my dad. He came to this country from Belarus with nothing and built a real business. He's my hero for giving me that need to run a business and for having enormous confidence in me.

It's interesting to feel the pressure of having to be outgoing because I think in general as a human being I'm pessimistic and introverted. But it's cool because it's a whole different side of me and I impress myself. Even at times when I think that there's no possible way that I can be engaging I'll suddenly pull it out and impress myself.

For an introvert his environment is himself and can never be subject to startling or unforeseen change.

I'm an introvert at heart... And show business - even though I've loved it so much - has always been hard for me.