What is the most challenging aspect of recording new songs?

Writing new songs is a blast. I find it interesting that some songs practically write themselves while others need some coaxing. But you asked about recording. I think the most challenging aspect is the mind games you play with yourself when the big red light comes on indicating that the "tape is rolling" (for those younger listeners, yes we used to use tape). The object is to play as relaxed and authentically as you can without letting the fact that you are being recorded affect your playing. It's very similar to having your photograph taken and not looking like you know you are having your photograph taken.

What is your most vivid memory of performing for an audience?

That's a tough one... .i've played so many great gigs. I think the absolute coolest one was playing the Carl Marx Theater in Havana to a packed house. I was there with a bunch of musicians from the US to co-write songs with Cuban musicians, record them and film a documentary. I shared the stage with Mic Fleetwood (double drum risers), Peter Frampton, Patty Malone (The Chieftains), Joan Osborne, Michael Ferrante, Jerry Merrill (Faldo's Toy), Lisa Loeb, Burt Bacharach... .man I could go on and on. There are just way too many to list here... honest. You can get the double DVD set of the project, it's called "Bridge To Havana" and I think it's available on Amazon.

Do you play any other instruments aside from your band-specific ones? Is there an instrument you would love to learn?

I play trumpet as well. I have played it for about 13 years. I actually play it on our new record "Twisted Pea Soup" at the end of "Mind Trap". I tried learning the guitar for a while but all I could think of while I was practicing was how much I wished I was practicing my drums. So that didn't last very long.

What is Faldo's Toy?

There's an explanation of this on our first record "ICON". It is a magic chest that when opened will make whatever you imagine come to life. Faldo was given the chest by his Wizard uncle Azimuth. That's our story and we're sticking to it... .ha ha. For us it is metaphorical and represents our music. We escape into our world of mood and magic and create whatever we feel, unbound and without expectation.

Is there a song you wish you'd come up with as a band?

Hmmm... .not really. We are all very proud of our songs. They are perfectly us and I wouldn't change a thing. "Spain" would have been cool though.

Finish this sentence: The best way to wind down after a performance is... ?

Usually we like to grab some food and talk about the performance. We absolutely need this period to come down from the high, and it builds our internal relationships. Things move so quickly at performances that it takes sitting down and talking about it to really grasp what just happened. A nice cold beer or a glass of Cab doesn't hurt either.