Cynthia Hopkins herself compares the music to a collision of Tom Waits and Mazzy Star. That admiration, she said, led her to incorporate storytelling text into shows. But she said that doesn't detract from her commitment to the music itself. But I've always been interested in songs that have some implication of a story. In the interview, the boy likened his addiction to wallowing in the mud.
Anger can be a real fuel for creation.
I don't know where she comes up with them, but she writes about 20 a week and they're all completely brilliant and heartbreaking.