I'm still amazed by the process of recording.
I'm a recording studio guy, an engineer, a songwriter and a guitar player, in that order.
You are in a state of mixing, and you just live with it. There is not one musician who is completely happy with a mix.
It's an amazing privilege to perform for an audience paying to hear the music that you've recorded.
The magic can happen in a studio. Special things can happen in a recording studio, even though it may seem like a clinical environment from the outside looking in.
I am so thankful for the genius of Phil Spector, for his recognition of my talent to be the main voice of his Wall of Sound.
It's funny, man, sometimes you record something that you plan on re-doing later, but then when you listen back to it, you decide to keep it because you realize that it's gonna be real tough to beat!
I enjoy putting out singles.
I never really listen to what people say. My thing is that my favorite artists are artists that are theatrical. Obviously when you are doing a recording, things aren't gonna translate as over-the-top.
I felt it was time for there to be a document of what we sound like now.
Some musicians make and record music; other musicians play in a band... I just make and record music, and I don't feel a part of anything in any music business.
I love making records. That's my favorite part of the whole process. And I love playing live, but certainly getting the music on a disc that's going to live forever and be there forever, just every little detail drives me crazy.
I find with records, they become what they're going to become. They take on a power and a direction of their own. Part of making records is to honor that and not try to force it.