Regina Spektor discusses her eclectic musical persona, from her classical training in Moscow to her anti-folk career in New York. She explains how she initially struggled to connect her classical piano skills with songwriting and improvisation, describing the transition as a difficult but rewarding process. She reflects on the versatility of the piano, her preference for performing solo to avoid limiting her sound, and the emotional openness required for live performances. She admires artists like Tom Waits and Vladimir Vysotsky, emphasizing the storytelling and character-driven aspects of their music. Spektor views improvisation as a skill requiring rigorous training, likening it to boxing, and describes performing as an act of emotional and historical absorption.