Jon Brion
I'd like to think that most of what I do is self-evident if you're listening to it or seeing it. But I don't mind the fact that it's hard to describe.
Brian Eno developed systems to keep himself on edge and to keep himself in a position where he's generating ideas.
If we're given a number of circumstances to deal with, the brain goes into this mode of trying to find a solution, and it's amazing how good we are at it.
People's association with improvisation means one person playing an endless stream of notes over something, and it doesn't have to be.
As far as I'm concerned, any work you get is because people have heard other work you've done.
The people I choose to work with, I work with because I'm already impressed with them, you know?
I've made a point of not being, say what I refer to as a 'careerist' about anything.
Music looks very formidable to people outside of it and it looks like it's this realm of spooky genius.
We're so used to everything being properly manicured, like you can hear every footstep in a movie, you can hear every bit of dialogue, and everything is in its place.
There are a lot of producers who basically have their sound, and if the artist works with them, you almost know what the record's going to sound like before it comes out.
Some people are more fluid than others at just being themselves and recognizing what's good about themselves.
When I was younger, I looked at getting older as this process of getting less interested in things and becoming colder, and of finding less joy in the mystery of things. And I've found the exact opposite to be true. I find that I'm getting warmer, and that I'm more mystified by human interactions.
Things begin, things decay, and you've got to find a way to be okay.Collection: Decay
It was so much fun conducting an orchestra and watching the musicians' faces as some of Kanye's lyrics went by. They couldn't believe what was going on.Collection: Fun
The only thing you really have to practice is your ability. And this is something I do all the time. I try to teach my hand to do what I'm hearing in my head at any given second. I don't sit around and practice scales. I sit around and just try to make sure my hands are following what's coming to me.Collection: Trying
The people I choose to work with, I work with because I'm already impressed with them.Collection: People
[Brion calls his working relationship with West a natural fit.] His knowledge and understanding of records across the board is great, ... That's the reason why we got along: We don't see music as something that happens in one genre.Collection: Understanding
I get to be a musician with my life, so it doesn't even matter if I'm good in it. It means at the very least, I'm pulling the wool over everyone's eyes consistently enough. And I put food on the table, and have work to do.Collection: Mean
If you're recording the song on your four-track in your kitchen, when you finished writing the song, you're recording, and it's cool, and honor that. And maybe that's the version that should be released. And if you're recording the song again, it shouldn't be because there's a version you love that you're chasing. It should be because "You know what? I made a recording, but I don't love it emotionally." So, okay, then record again. And be in it and take advantage of the buzz and energy of "I'm getting to record right now!" It's such a beautiful and cool privilege.Collection: Beautiful