I don't think I approach my songs differently from other artists. You get a big picture of it, and you imagine the song and hear and feel it, and that big picture is like a snapshot, and it comes to you as fast as it takes to click a camera.

I'm a big fan of cultural music, and that's how I try to expand my playing, by listening to music that is not conventionally American.

The tone is in your fingers, not in your amp or effects.

I've never really heard anybody imitating anything of mine the way they do with Edward Van Halen's stuff.

I know it is common nowadays for artists to start labels but this is a thoroughly constructed vehicle for inspired talent. This is a market that we've been living, breathing and eating for our entire lives - one where a huge void currently exists. Favored Nations is a long-term commitment.

Play slow and perfect - that’s the way to becoming a virtuoso.

Most of my records are very dense, composition-heavy, and there's bits of different kinds of music like an acoustic ballad, instrumental trio pieces, and vocal tracks.