How Did Selena Gomez Stop Herself From Descending Into 'Madness'?

Gomez opens up about her new indie movie and performs a new track, likely from the film, at Sundance.

By Jocelyn Vena (@jocelyn1212)

Selena Gomez is giving fans a new side of herself in the upcoming indie film, "Rudderless." The singer hit Sundance to promote the flick and revealed why she wanted to tackle the emotional role.
"Rudderless" revolves around a father, who, after his son dies, finds the music he had been working on before his death. After that, he starts a band. Gomez plays the son's girlfriend. Directed by William H. Macy, the flick also includes Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin, Felicity Huffman and Laurence Fishburne.

Selena Gomez Looks Forward To 'Rudderless' Role

Gomez said she didn't mind having to dig deep emotionally for the film. "It's pretty dark. She's in a lot of pain. She's angry," she told E! about the role. "I find myself comfortable in that stuff. I don't know what that says about me. It's a good contrast to what I am all the time and being on tour and all that life."
In an interview with the Newsday, the "Spring Breakers" star said that shooting the small film was a good way to deal with "the everyday madness that I've got to go through."
In the same way her films are showing her growth, Selena said she hopes to show more maturation in her music.
"No, I'm actually serious," she said. ''I started music when I was 14. And I had like four #1 club songs before I was even allowed in a club. So I think that journey still kind of is happening for me. I've never really had the opportunity to share a lot of that side of myself through lyrical content. So that's stuff that I get to explore later."
Perhaps previewing what her future music might sound like, she took the stage at the movie premiere's after-party with singer/songwriter Ben Kweller. She played an acoustic version of "Come & Get It" and a folk-influenced track, which might be a selection from the film.
"Suddenly you'll find your way/ Till yesterday is far away," she sings on the chorus of the indie-leaning track.