Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan is having a wistful moment of gratitude, gazing out the picturesque window of his Beverly Hills hotel room at the sunshine that radiates like a golden blanket over steadily swaying palm trees and dreamy, magazine-ready homes in the hills beyond."L.A. has been there…

Martin Gore makes note of his "old school" tendencies on a recent phone call. He appreciates that music-making technology has become so portable and accessible that people can create with minimal equipment. However, that's not his style."I find it very inspirational to be surrounded by equipment,"…