I went every Sunday to church when I was growing up, and I think that music had an affect on me before my memory can recall.

I got into one Metallica record. That was about it. I never got into AC/DC or Black Sabbath or any of that. I was interested in the side of heavy metal that had interesting guitar ideas, but that was a very short-lived thing.

I find that the time that goes by is actually your best friend when you are making a record. The passing of time gives you perspective on what you recorded and what you wrote. If something sounds good to you 12 months after you recorded it then chances are pretty good that there's something valuable about the part or the song.

Try to take your vision and ego as far away from the song as possible. Give as much respect as you can to the song and the initial inspiration.

It's a luxury to not have to just be performing with other people to have my music heard.

When I first started making music, it was learning other peoples songs and putting them onto four-track. Like Beatles songs and stuff. When I started writing, I used the singing side of the production as a vehicle for melody and lyrical ideas.

The South of France is one of my favorite places in the world.