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.

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

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.

Brian Eno taught us how to use the Recording Studio as an instrument.

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

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

It's really exciting working with a new band when you feel like you hit something that's great, and you helped them bring something out.