This week, I had the honor of interviewing the five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Skylar Grey.

For those who don't know, she wrote Rihanna's lyrics in "Love the Way You Lie" (including the solo version) and has been featured on tracks for Kaskade and Deadmau5. She also sang in "Words I Never Said" by Lupe Fiasco, "Coming Home" by Diddy and Dirty Money, and "I Need a Doctor" by Dr. Dre feat. Eminem. She is featured on the soundtracks for "Frankenweenie" and "Fifty Shades of Grey," and released a new song last month called "Moving Mountains" (watch below). Her new album is scheduled for release later this year.

I love your new song “Moving Mountains.” It has quite a Fiona Apple sound. I read that the song is about your move to Utah. How has living there influenced your career?

Skylar Grey: It changed my state of happiness. That song was about me figuring out how to be happy. After years of depression, I said to myself, “I’m gonna tackle my demons and be happy.” I went through therapy and read a lot of books, so if you can be present and live in the moment, you can be happy.

Is this acoustic sound something that we can expect from your next album?

SG: No. I call it the “ear-break” from the Hip-hop and EDM that I’ve been doing, but it’s the only acoustic song on the album. The album is more experimental, and not so commercial.

I’m also a huge fan of your electronic work. In fact, I still jam out to “Room for Happiness” and “Shot Me Down.” I’ve heard your new song with Kaskade and Deadmau5, and am curious, what is it like working with EDM producers? Are they in the studio with you when you record tracks?

SG: Sometimes, yeah. In my experience with EDM, people are great to work with, and they give me the freedom to do what I want. For this new song, there was already an idea for melody and lyrics. I loved what was already there, so I tweaked the melody and lyrics just a little bit. Deadmau5 can sometimes be hard to reach, so I’m glad that Kaskade sent me the track.

Do you start writing all of your songs on guitar or piano, or through another method?

SG: No. I don’t have any rules for songwriting. It could start on a guitar, or it could be a lyric or melody. I don’t limit myself creatively.

Who have you learned most from in the industry?

SG: Eminem is the most influential person for me. He’s very inspiring and very true to who he is as an artist.

I know you’ve had a long road to getting where you are now, including being dropped from your first label and facing delays in release dates. What advice would you give to musicians seeking a career in the music industry?

SG: Just be yourself. I know it’s hard to do sometimes, but you need to figure out who you are, and it’s easy to get lost in this industry. People will try to take advantage of you and mold you into something you’re not. I’m at a place now where I’m comfortable. The way that I’ve figured it out is through trusting my own opinions.

When I hear a song, I ask myself, “How does it feel? Do I like it? Do I feel something?” I don’t worry about if anyone else likes it. It’s important to be yourself as a musician.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

SG: I’ll be 35, and hopefully I will release two or three more albums. I will hopefully release my screenplay, too. As a kid, I never thought I would be working in hip hop, so who knows? The path could always change.