I was a quiet teenager introverted full of angst.

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

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.

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.

At the root of the shy temperament is a deep fear of social judgment one so severe it can sometimes be crippling. Introverted people don't worry unduly about whether they'll be found wanting they just find too much socializing exhausting and would prefer either to be alone or in the company of a select few people.