John Barry was the first film composer I was aware of. As a teenager I owned several of his Bond soundtracks.

I dont find myself lobbying for projects. Filmmakers almost always come to me.

On Being John Malkovich and the cinema of the absurd, I do enjoy it. I wish there were more like it. The very fact that there can't be more like it is one of the reasons it's admirable.

I have always loved Scottish music - all sorts of Celtic, Gaelic music.

There is not much irony when people are being happy on screen.

I think being a little nuts is helpful.

How does my music connect to an audience? That is just a complete mystery to me.