When I was working with Talking Heads what would happen typically is that they would go out and start playing a track, and I would always run the tape. I always record everything, even a run through where you're trying to get in tune. That's a principle because sometimes when the situation isn't clear interesting things happen, and they are worth listening to again.

A culture is the sum of all the things about which humanity can choose to differ.

I'm fascinated by musicians who don't completely understand their territory; that's when you do your best work.

I'd love it if American kids were listening to Muslim music.

I had wanted a tape recorder since I was tiny. I thought it was a magic thing. I never got one until just before I went to art school.

Painting, I think it's like jazz.

We're going through this super-uptight era, which I think comes entirely from literacy, actually. It's the result of machines that were designed as word processors being used for making music.