there's the guy who produced this record, paul bryan, the bass player in my band and kind of the musicalector and we've worked together probably over 10 years. we've just become really, really good friends and there's something about working with him that has really radically changed my relationship to performing because he has such a relationship -- almost like a spiritual relationship -- with music and, if it's not right, if it's not happening, he sort of can't do it. so i've really come to trust his opinions and feel this kind of -- you know, when i go out onstage -- real kinship. so if i've started to feel anxious or worried or, you know, kind of make a mistake and you go like, oh, i can't believe i made that mistake, to look over at somebody who's a friend and who's solid and kind of supporting you in this musical way has really made a huge difference. and it's really allowed me to feel much more comfortable performing and i really enjoy it now. but a lot of it is about creating a shared, you know, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, you know, to feel like i'm part