I live in Topanga Canyon, which is like a faux-rustic enclave in Los Angeles. I love the sounds of all the critters outside - the frogs, owls, crickets, and birds. Some of the birds around here are pretty accomplished musicians. You can learn a lot from them.

I got fed up with being in bands. I spent a couple of years touring the country in a smoked filled band, doing lots of drugs and being really unhealthy.

I think there is quite a continuity over my 25 years of doing music, and I'm always trying to break away from it.

I'm kind of an antisocial person. I realised when I was playing in bands that I wasn't that comfortable being on-stage, and I preferred to be behind-the-scenes. I like the seclusion of composing.

If I had kids, I don't think I would recommend they pursue a career in music.

I don't like to write any music to a script. Experience has taught me that's generally a waste of time.

Composing demands a degree of isolation.