It's impossible to write and produce a record when your parents are dying. I really tried, I really, really tried, but it just wouldn't come.
People ask for this life, but they don't really understand what comes with it. People just see the outside and that looks good - big houses, cars, girls, but you never see how the person is feeling deep down inside. Me personally, being a man, I'm going to feel better displaying all of this and pouring my heart out on each record.
Moreover, photography has made it possible to fix these images and now provides us with a permanent record of each observed spectrum, which can be measured out at any time.
On my first album I was wearing a lot of guys pants, baggy clothes and stuff like that. I was 17 and I was a little tomboy. And you would never see me wearing a dress or heels on my first record.
Publication has been extended far beyond our present ability to make real use of the record.
It takes so long to make a record and then it takes so long again to release it.
I've actually always wanted to make something like an acoustic record.
So we've done science songs. We've done historical songs. A lot of people would like us to do more historical songs. Our history record would probably be like the people's history of the United States, set to music.
I think that my music is really honest and I think I have something to say. The world revolves around so much negativity that I feel we really need something positive right now. I think people need to be encouraged to strive after those things that seem impossible. That is one of the common themes that runs through my record.
The real con artist is Senator Marco Rubio. Who was elected in Florida and who has the worst voting record in the United States Senate. He doesn't go to vote. He's absent.
Record labels today are much less patient: Artists have a bad record, and they're gone.
Obviously it's difficult not to compare one record success-wise, or sales-wise, or whatever, but I think you're always going to have moments - whatever record you've got - of insecurity.
Recognition for a job well done is high on the list of motivating influences for all people; more important in many instances than compensation itself. When someone is promoted, a promotion that everyone could see coming because of an excellent record, the entire department is stimulated. For it is clear, then, that promotions are based on merit. A promotion that seems to come out of the blue, which is always the case when no one knows what the next fellow is doing, causes nothing but resentment and a further weakening of the will to work.
I first heard Laura Branigan sing live in my brother Nesuhi's apartment, where we had gone because he had a very good piano. I immediately realized that she had a great pop voice, in the classical sense. Laura had an instinctive feel for music and melody, and her delivery was sensational. Everybody at Atlantic knew that we had a winner in this young lady, and she came through with great hits that will be remembered for many years to come. I consider Laura to be one of my best signings, and I am proud to have had such a great singer in my career in the record business. We miss her dearly.
I can't write another breakup record. That would be a real cliche.
I'm not going to do the Ben Harper house record or the Ben Harper drum 'n' bass record.
It's important to keep indie record stores alive because their unique environments introduce music lovers to things in a very personal way.
I tested the waters on producing a record, but I'm more of a creative guy. . . I can't get into minute details
Keep a record of every picture you paint, have them photographed and write down where they went. Some day, when one reaches a great age, there will be calls for a Retrospective Exhibition of a life's work.
I'm more interested in what I'm going to leave behind me than in making a big hit record. I've refined what I do for a long time. If getting better at it means it goes over the heads of those who only wanted to party, then so be it.