Seven things you oughta know about Alanis Morissette

1. Balancing act
When my son, Ever, was born, my husband Souleye [a], and I built a makeshift studio in our house so we could finish our records and I could breastfeed at the same time.

2. Touring together
We're planning tours as a family. I used to come home and desperately try to make up for lost time, but now my life will be with me. Going on the road with an 18-month-old is a lot to prepare for, but I can't imagine it without him.

3. Oh, Ottawa
Ottawa really is an ideal place to be born and raised. It's such a gorgeous city. Whenever I visit, I find myself wanting to go cycling by the canal.

4. Natural woman
Our culture is obsessed with everyone looking 21 for their whole lives. But I'm one of a small group of women who really enjoy the idea of age. The older I get, the better I feel and the more comfortable I am in my body. My activism is looking the way I look; not starving myself, but taking care of myself.

5. Music on the move
We listen to a lot Bob Marley in the car. Ever loves him. He has good taste! And Souleye plays Q-Tip or Tupac. (When the lyrics get a little feisty, I give him a look and we switch the song to "Ave Maria" or something soothing.)

6. My tunes
I sing to Ever, making up the words as I go along — I have a pretty bad memory and frankly, a lot of the lyrics in traditional lullabies are harrowing! Souleye likes to rap for him.

7. Fame game
I don't chase being in the public eye. When I was younger, the idea of being famous was so enticing. There are glimpses of fun times, but they're temporary. And if I had a gnawing sense of self-doubt, fame amplified it. But it does give me an amazing opportunity to live my life on purpose, to offer comfort and inspiration by writing about my humanity and my journey.

Alanis' new CD, Havoc and Bright Lights, was just released. Catch her this October in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

More on Alanis

1991: Alanis album launches. She opens for Vanilla Ice on tour.

1995: Second-biggest-selling album of the decade Jagged Little Pill comes out. "You Oughta Know" is said to be about ex Dave Coulier, a.k.a. Uncle Joey.

1999: Plays God in Kevin Smith's comedy Dogma, sparking protests from the Catholic church.

2000: Music video for "Thank U" causes uproar due to Alanis appearing naked but for strategic hair and blurs.

2004: Protesting censorship, she hosts the Junos wearing a flesh-coloured bodysuit.

2007: Calls off engagement to Ryan Reynolds. Makes spoof of Fergie's "My Humps," which goes viral.

2009: Alanis plays obstetrician Dr. Audra Kitson on Weeds. Later that year she admits to occasional marijuana use.

2012: She shows support for attachment parenting, saying she'll stop breastfeeding when her son is ready.