Alanis Morissette is back with an 18-track set called The Collection, a less jagged little outlook, and even some fun personal revelations. Here’s an excerpt from our chat.

Musto: Hi, Alanis. Guess what? You have a big gay following.

Morissette: I love it.

How much of your audience would you say is gay? Ninety percent?

I have no idea what percentage.

More than 90%?

Yeah! They’re the only people in the audience. [Laughs]

Do you consider yourself strictly heterosexual?

I consider myself heterosexual. I had my years of experimentation, which were very lovely and I’ll highly recommend to anyone. I think it’s such a beautiful rite of passage to test the waters and get a general sense of who you are and what your preferences are.

That’s all it is?

For me. I can’t say what it is for other people.

For me, that’s what straight was: a beautiful rite of passage en route to Chelsea.

For me, it’s falling in love with my partner [actor Ryan Reynolds], and that was it.

Forever?

I believe so. That’s my intention anyway.

When were those experimental years?

In my 20s—and teen years too, actually. My first experiences with women were when I was really, really young. We were all the same age. I consider it sandbox sex—if everyone’s little, it’s OK.

To read the complete interview with Alanis, pick up the February issue of Out.