I like using concrete imagery, but I don't feel that's what it's about. It's a combination of concrete and abstract to take the listener somewhere they know better than you. That's true for music, seeing a painting, watching a movie... it's all some kind of an escape.

My philosophy for producing a record is for everyone involved, including myself, to get out of the way of the song, and at the same time, listen to it as closely as you can, and listen to where the song wants to go.

I've worked with just as many talented women as I have talented men, and I feel fortunate enough to have that great balance.

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'm somebody who gets a lot of inspiration from dreams.

Every record turns into whatever the listener gets out of it.

I love the idea that I planned my career. I did not. It started out by getting invitations from artists that I really love and respect, to share a stage... I've been very lucky in that I haven't had to create a five-year plan. It's evolved.