But I can't really say there is too much modern music that I'm blown away by at this moment

I think in a way I was probably completely naive about what it takes to make something become a hit

Emerson, Lake & Palmer or King Crimson or Gentle Giant - the worst prog rock references I can come up with. Though I totally loved those groups as a kid.

Things come to me pretty regularly. There is never a shortage or a backlog

I privilege the music over the lyrics

I'd have these weird experiences where I'd just be walking down the street with this chord progression in my head, this happened more than a few times, and I'd walk home and find a fax in my machine and it would match the music in my head

Simon Hale, the British arranger, does all string and wood arrangements on my records