“What I've learned over the years is that the craft of songwriting is t...” — Neil Peart Quote

What I've learned over the years is that the craft of songwriting is trying to take the personal and make it universal - or in the case of telling a story, taking the universal and making it personal.

The reality is that my style of drumming is largely an athletic undertaking, and it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to... take yourself out of the game.

If it's cross-country ski season, I'll be out doing that, or snowshoeing up in Quebec. In my California home, I go to the local Y and I like doing yoga. It's been hugely beneficial to me in injury avoidance.

For me to call myself a musician, it's necessary to play live, and it rewards so much - not just in the pay cheque sense but what it does for my playing. I feel it through a tour - I feel it at the end of a tour - all that I've gathered, and especially now that I am improvising so much.

Obviously, I haven't really progressed that much at my craft.

If you learn the craft, you can make a movie and get by with tricks.

I tell people all the time: get some training and become a student of your craft.

You just want to hone your craft, whatever it may be.

The X Factor' was amazing because I like being a positive role model to young artists; that's what I believe in. If I can shed some light and give them some tips on how to believe in themselves and be more confident with their craft.