Music is really all about experimentation and lots of trial and error. It's just mind-numbingly boring until you hit on something that works well.
Music is really all about experimentation and lots of trial and error. It's just mind-numbingly boring until you hit on something that works well.
I love being in the studio. If I'm at home, I will go to the studio pretty much every day anyway. It's just something that I like to do.
If you took music out of my life, I don't know what I'd do. It's the one thing that I have a real passion for.
God knows why - no pun intended - but every time I write a song, I feel a need to touch on religion.
Our music over the years has been very cinematic. It's surprising we never really got into film soundtracks.
I've not worn a dress since about 1985. It always amazes me how there is still a fascination for it in England. The rest of the world doesn't seem to care. I'm not sure whether they don't remember or whether they've just moved on from it. I was brought up in the glam era.
It creates a conflict of interest - what songs would I use for me, and what would I use for the band.
For years, I was stuck behind a keyboard rig. When I started playing guitar onstage, it was a bit of a release - not to be stuck in one spot the whole night. It's really enjoyable having the freedom to move around. You just have to remember to end up somewhere near a microphone.
As part of Depeche Mode, I don't think it's right for me to be using my own songs for a solo project. I'm not a very prolific songwriter, so I keep those for Depeche Mode.
I even have nephews who make music, my daughter makes music. I don't know what advice to give them these days. It's really a tough industry to break into.