Is it frustrating when an artist has a set sound that they won’t budge from?

“It’s not if someone’s picky or specific or demanding, because I can be the same way sometimes. What could be frustrating is if they’re very picky about drum parts that don’t make any sense, the rhythms clash with the bass line or the fills don’t line up right.

“You try to politely say you’ll try something else but they want it exactly like that. That can be frustrating because you know what can make the music better but you’re not allowed to do it. You have to do it the bad way. It can be embarrassing because you’re forced night after night to play a groove that doesn’t groove.

“I smile and tell them I’ll learn it exactly like they want it. I play it like that once and slowly manipulate the groove over time so they don’t notice and by the end of the tour it’s the way I like it and they record a live version and love it!”

Next: the Shakira gig