I had previously been in the band the Modern Lovers with Jonathan Richman.
I think we could have done a lot more great music, so I was disappointed that we didn't continue making records and touring, but it's hard to argue with 10 good years.
Most bands have a sound that they're already identified with, so for the producer it becomes a process of helping them find their muse in the studio to make a record that will not only satisfy them artistically, but will also do something in the marketplace.
That said, everything's important, and every musician who plays on the record is an integral part of it.
I think that technology has both introduced new sounds but also allowed an increasingly painterly approach to recording music as you can now paint over what you've done and more and more refine an existing performance.
I've become increasingly confidant in following intuitions ahead of thoughts as I produce more records.