In June 2002, I had just finished 'Laurel Canyon' and decided to move back to Los Angeles after nearly a decade in New York. Post-9/11 New York felt different.

From Los Angeles to Singapore, passengers are saving two and a half hours. And to New York passengers are saving up to four hours in flying time.

My connection with Basquiat was really in Los Angeles, which really was a whole different world to what he was experiencing in New York.

I considered moving to New York or Los Angeles, but they're two of the hardest places to move to when you're just starting out in a band.

I like to record records in Los Angeles. It's less distracting than New York, where I was based.

I took a plane from New York City to Los Angeles for an audition. I met all the people. After that, I was told to have another audition, but I didn't want to go there again.