Gibson.com correspondent Elianne Halbersberg recently caught up with SIXX: A.M. vocalist / producer James Michael. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Q: How has your approach to working with Nikki (Sixx / MÖTLEY CRÜE) changed over the years?

JM: "That’s a great question. It hasn’t changed at all. The day he showed up at my house to write the first song for New Tattoo — he’s the same person. That question excites me because I realize that our friendship has stayed consistent and we still have that good give-and-take and appreciation for what each other does."

Q: Can you be too comfortable working with an artist?

JM: "I guess you could, but that would then make you not as effective as a producer. You always have to throw a fistful of nails in when things get too comfortable. For me, it’s instinctive to do that. The music-making process is about the discomfort, working through things, challenging yourself and discovering new things about yourself."

Q: Nikki’s roots go back to analog and tape, what one might call the “old school” way of making records — “old school” now meaning anyone over 30. How does this impact what you do?

JM: "Mine are in analog and tape, too! I was very lucky to start engineering at 14 on large analog consoles and two-inch tape machines. I was always a tech geek, so as soon as the first Mac Classic came out, I was pushing it to the limit. I have that old-school style, but I’m also cutting-edge efficient on digital recording. I’m one of the handfuls of guys who cut his teeth on the cusp and can do both. Having the same recording experience as Nikki, we speak the same language and that’s very important. We appreciate the old and the new and can find the sweet spot between the two. We also know when we’ve gotten there. Being from the other era of recording gives us an advantage."

Go to this location for the complete interview.