Quotes from Orianthi

I've always looked for ways to inspire people, especially young people, to play guitar. When I first saw Fretlight, I immediately connected with the vision. Today's kids expect technology to help them on their journey, and that's exactly what Fretlight does.

Beats are really inspiring. They always make me want to write something over them.

You go with what you 'get,' and I get playing the guitar. It's a challenge because it's not an easy instrument to play. There are so many interesting sounds you can make out of it and so many different elements. I dig it.

'Walk With Me' was written really fast, and that one is about togetherness.

I was playing piano at three and started writing songs when I was six or seven, and I've been addicted since then.

I have, like, 1,000 voice memos on my iPhone.

Who didn't want to dance like Michael Jackson? I know I did.

I got to jam with Prince, which is amazing.

It's a huge honour to be able to get on stage and jam with an icon.

I'd like to be able to get more girls to play guitar. I think with a girl playing electric guitar, sometimes it's seen a bit like a guy doing ballet. All the people I learned guitar from have been guys. There are some great female players, like Bonnie Raitt and Jennifer Batten, but very few.

So many people have gone through the experience of not feeling good enough.

Everyone has troubles in their life.

It's hard to solo when you're walking around, especially when you're in Michael Jackson's presence. There are easier things in life to do.

My favorite solos are all very melodic. Those are the ones that are the most memorable.

I have an aquarium full of fish and some Mexican walking fish.

Pushing yourself and digging into something new, that's what being a musician is all about.

Eric Clapton was such a great player. He sounds like he's Freddie King or someone like that. He plays the roots of blues and Delta blues. He really affected me with the way that he plays, because he never really plays that many notes.

Growing up, I didn't have a lot of role models - Bonnie Raitt, Lita Ford, Jennifer Batten.

Being promoted as a bubble-gum type artist that has one hit and it's all over is not something I want to do. I want a long career. I want to continue to play guitar and have as much guitar in there as possible in a commercial song without being too indulgent.

I'm all about inspiring young musicians to get out there and express themselves through music.

I was contacted through MySpace to come and jam out for Michael Jackson. I thought it was a joke. I forwarded it to my manager, and it actually was legitimate, so I went the next day.

I'm always amazed at how records can make you feel like somebody else understands you.

Music is not a sport - one is not better than the other. You just like what you like and get inspired.

I aim to inspire a bunch of female guitar players to get out there and take it seriously and never give up.