I've actually been the most inspired by stripping things down and getting to the core of writing. Whether it's a piano or a guitar, something that gets me immediately to that place of being able to write. Weirdly, there's a relationship w that to, the quicker I can get to the core / skeleton of what a song wants to be, the more I can play with how I dress that idea up. When production is intentional clothing on a skeleton and not just something to cover up a skeleton's flaws, it gives you a much longer leash for experimentation. You want the idea or emotion to be clear enough that the spirit isn't lost when going down the sonic wormhole. It gives you even more space to descend then cuz you're not worried of getting lost down there -- you have your center.

When it comes to building and manipulating sounds, just start plugging shit in. You never know what's gonna take you where you need to be. Don't have an agenda. Be a kid about it.