Who/what inspires your music?

Lies inspire my music. I like lying, and I like to observe how people struggle (or not struggle?) to find a way around telling themselves and others the truth. It's simple, but in my view, also fundamental and is the origin to most of the topics of my songs, if not all.

 

How would you describe your sound?

I start writing almost everything on my nylon guitar, and I like to use it as secondary guitar track after adding distortion. A nylon guitar with an old Rat distortion sounds sweet. Anyway, I guess my sound should be classified as alternative rock, but I really like pop chords too. I suppose gritty pop? This is a tough question. I like to sound like an assault and an embrace at the same time.

 

Who would you open for?

Ideally, Fiona Apple. Realistically, the local metal band. Thank god for metal bands keeping the music scene alive in even the deadest of places.

 

What got you into making music?

The same stuff that gets anyone into it, I like it in all its forms. I also just wanted to make the kind of stuff I’d like to listen to, the kind of stuff I like playing but don’t hear so often.

 

How do you deal with creative blocks?

I rarely get them, the real challenge is deciding what’s worth keeping. All my stuff generally comes from playing around on guitar, and I tend towards a lot of chromaticism. Lyrics are the real challenge, and those usually start out vapid and migrate themselves towards something more meaningful--not always though, I suppose.

 

which song was the most fun to make?

A song off my upcoming album, “ The Simple Math,” called “Hatred we Only Hold” was a lot of fun. Mostly because I like the melody. It’s fun to play and I hope people think it’s fun to listen to. It'll release alongside the album in early 2024.

 

What is your creative process like?

I practice a couple hours every day, and part of that practice is just noodling on guitar or piano. In the process I tend to find a melody or chord I really like, and just build from there. For me, it all begins with playing around. Also non-diatonic chords are a big love of mine, just because I like the moodiness you can get out of them.

 

what’s the current big goal?

My big goal right now is to finish recording my album, “The Simple Math”. I have a couple singles on the way, and then I plan to release the album in early 2024. I’ve recorded and mixed it all myself, with a couple small musical parts played by some friends of mine on certain songs. I’m a total newbie to the recording process, so my earlier work is really hit or miss depending on if you like ultra low production styles.