I just chatted with Steven Drozd. He scored The Heart Is A Drum Machine.

1. The Heart Is A Drum Machine focuses on human obsession with music. At what age did you first realize your own obsession?

My dad was a musician from the age of sixteen. I remember watching him play polka clubs as a kid. I remember listening to KISS with my brother. I’d say that my musical focus began around at the age of seven.

2. Britt Daniel, George Clinton, Juliette Lewis, Isaac Brock & Nic Harcourt are just some of the people that contributed to the documentary. Were you surprised by anyone’s responses?

Not really, it’s such a difficult question to answer! I was glad that nobody asked me for any input because I don’t know how I’d respond. However, physiologically speaking, I believe in the vibrations of music.

View the remainder of this interview AFTER THE JUMP…

3. You covered ‘Rocket Man’ for Heart. How’d that come about?

I recorded the entire song with Maynard James Keenan virtually via iChat & e-mail. I recently heard that Elton John & his camp loved it which is so great.

4. Will there be a second Heart release in the near future?

I haven’t heard anything yet but I’d definitely do the music for another one!

5. Earlier this year, you taught a one-off music class at The University Of Central Oklahoma. How was that experience?

Robert Daltrey chatted at the first master class and then Scott [Booker], manager of The Flaming Lips, approached me about participating in the second Q&A. People hear Wayne [Coyne] speak all the time but I don’t do interviews nearly as often. It went really well. The students were so curious and vocal that we had to stop the session after two hours!

6. Who are you currently listening to?

I just got a new car and it has Sirius Radio. I discovered Left Of Center and heard four or five songs that blew my fucking mind. One of them is Ariel Pink’s ‘Round & Round’. That’s my favorite song right now. I also enjoy Neon Indian. He’s got a great nostalgic ’80s new wave lo-fi scuzzed-out sound.

7. Which cities have been the most receptive to TFL’s live show?

It’s hard to say but Chicago stands out. Chicago appreciated us long before we received mass acceptance in LA & NYC. I’d also say Glasgow & Manchester. San Francisco is also a big Lips town. My favorite festival is definitely Bonnaroo – we’re excited to play there this spring for the third time.

8. Are there any misconceptions that you’d like to clear up?

People thought that I played all of the instruments on our earlier releases but in reality I only played most. Also, some of our super hardcore fans complain that our show doesn’t evolve and/or mutate as much as they’d like but this year, for the first time, ‘Race For The Prize’, will not open the show!

Be sure to catch The Flaming Lips @ Bonnaroo.

MP3: The Flaming Lips – Under Pressure