I see myself as the buffer between the band and the record company.
Brian Eno taught us how to use the Recording Studio as an instrument.
My other advice is to start writing songs and singing right away.
I think being eclectic is bad when you're just starting out.
I think that technology has both introduced new sounds but also allowed an increasingly painterly approach to recording music as you can now paint over what you've done and more and more refine an existing performance.
But when you're beginning, you should try to focus on something you love and your own way of doing things.