Some artists want a producer to be a kind of svengali - someone who actually creates a sound for them.

What's nice about being a producer is you get to roll the dice more often, and you get to be involved with lots of different kinds of music.

I think we could have done a lot more great music, so I was disappointed that we didn't continue making records and touring, but it's hard to argue with 10 good years.

I had previously been in the band the Modern Lovers with Jonathan Richman.

Most bands have a sound that they're already identified with, so for the producer it becomes a process of helping them find their muse in the studio to make a record that will not only satisfy them artistically, but will also do something in the marketplace.

Some artists want a producer to be a kind of svengali - someone who actually creates a sound for them.

But when you're beginning, you should try to focus on something you love and your own way of doing things.