I hope that people don't need to look at the liner notes to be affected by the music.

I've always identified myself as a drummer first and foremost - I'm pretty obsessed with rhythm.

I hope people just enjoy the music. I'm not worried about any sort of legacy. Whether people view me more as the drummer in Wilco or as a composer who composes primarily for rhythmic reasons - it doesn't matter to me as long as they dig the music. None of that matters to me if the music is crap.

I've been doing the academic side of music and the rock side of music in conjunction, basically, since I was in fourth grade.

I was teaching drum lessons at a few high schools - everything from marching to classical to rock and jazz. I found that really rewarding, having to explain my thought process, having to think about stuff that I take for granted or as second nature.

I have to have the reasons to make the record. There are just too many records out there, especially when it's something as audacious as a solo percussion record with solo drumming music on it. There better be a reason behind it.

I hope that people don't need to look at the liner notes to be affected by the music.