1). What are you currently working on?

I just finished writing music for a horror movie. It's called "Right to Die" one of the episodes from a series of horror movies on Showtime's "Masters of Horror". I also just started working with Elias Arts for commercial music work.

2). Describe your creative process. How do you like to work?

Writing to picture depends on the scene. If it's a cue that will be used to support the plot or character then I treat it just like writing a song. The meter has a strong influence on the feel of the song so I usually start there. It's usually 3/4, 4/4, or 6/4. Then I lay down the melody or the chords, which ever comes to mind first. If it's a cue that needs to hit certain points then I first rely on the tempo to hit the scene's points.

3). You have a very distinctive style... particularly your chord choices and sense of melody. What were your early influences and how did this evolve?

We had a public library that let you borrow records and I borrowed a lot of records. It was great to go to the library and pick any record and listen to it. I loved Les Paul and Wes Montgomery. Les Paul was very playful and quirky and Wes Montgomery played a lot of octave riffs, so in a nutshell those two had a lot of influence on me.

4). I've always been impressed with the timelessness of your recorded work... particularly the Pixies albums (ie, no Phil Collins-style production). Can you describe the thought process and approach behind the production of those albums?

We just wanted to make sure it was a no frills production. Not too much reverb. I went as far as covering my amp in cloth to make sure it was dry.

5). What software/hardware/instruments do you find invaluable in your studio?

I use digital recording; Pro Tools and Digital Performer. On the front end I use tube driven sources before hitting "tape" namely preamps and compressors to warm things up before freezing it to digital.

6). Name one indispensable "go-to" trick or secret weapon you could not live/work without (whether it's composing or engineering)?

I have a '52 Guild Aristocrat. It's the first electric Guild made and it sounds amazing. It's a hollow body guitar (no f holes) shaped like a Les Paul but puffier and way lighter in weight. Great clean sound as well as a dirty sound. It has all the tones-from mellow tone to a cutting tone. It's an instant vibe maker.

7). How has the music business changed since you first started?

Illegal downloads has changed the music business.

8). What are the last 10 albums/songs you listened to?

I can name you the last ten bands I have listened to... Air, Black Sabbath, Eno, The Associations, The Beatles, Boards of Canada, Queens of the Stone Age, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Wilco and T. Rex.

9). What's next for you? Any plans for a solo album or future releases by the Martinis/Pixies? ?

No plans with the band.