I think of every song like a game. It's like a video game: Okay, I'm going to hop over here and if I press this drum, or if I hit this note, then that doorway opens. Oops, I fell down a trap door but I'm in a whole new world.

I've always created solo work. When I first came to New York I was working in a few different areas I was working as a drummer, a vocalist, an actor, and a dancer. I had gotten picked up more on the music side and that sort of went, and that's where I found my community in New York and that's the path that I went down.

You can communicate by responding with your body or with a hand clap, with a laugh or with a smile, with non-verbal communication.

I'm a big fan of new production techniques and new sounds. That's kind of what has been my focus out here making sure that the songs can stand away from the production, however it's produced.

Music is so visual now.

I always try to hit a few areas when I'm making a record I want the sounds to be experimental and exploratory, I want the drumming to be distinctive, and I want my voice to be able to shine through.

I'm from New York. I grew up there. I grew up in Westchester County, the suburbs. For me, that was always the best of both worlds. I was super lucky to have a place where I could pretty much practice drums unperturbed. Obviously there were neighbor's complaints, but not very often, and I could get to the city easily by myself or with my parents.