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- How would you classify your music?
The best way I know to describe my music is “singer/songwriter with a contemporary edge.” I realize that sounds a bit pompous, and I hate sounding that way, but I don’t know how else to sum up my sound. I am definitely a singer/songwriter at heart, but my music and my voice is not as mellow as the term “singer/songwriter” implies.
- Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?
I always fall back on the classics such as James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Elton John and Billy Joel. I also love a lot of contemporary artists such as James Bay and Damien Rice.
- What do you want fans to take from your music?
Mostly I want them to hear the passion and sincerity in my music. Whether I am singing about myself or another, I always write and perform from a deep place in my heart and soul, and I really want the listener to feel that. I also write a lot about other people and their incredible stories, and I love to talk with the audience about the historical events surrounding that person I am singing about. Often people will leave a show feeling moved by the music, and also exclaiming that they learned a lot of history as well!
- How’s the music scene in your locale?
It’s really good! I recently moved to the Chicago area after 25 years living in Austin, Texas. Of course Chicago has a big music scene, and there are many, many suburbs and villages right outside of the city. Each suburb and village has its own scene with venues, restaurants, bars and breweries that all have live music. It’s really great and after living here for 18 months I am still only scratching the surface of places to play.
- What is the best concert you have been to? What do you like most about playing live?
About 28 years ago I visited Austin, Texas when I was thinking of moving there. I flew in about 4 p.m., and through several very fortunate and lucky circumstances, I was seeing the Indigo Girls at a fantastic outdoor venue that night. It was a beautiful night, the crowd was fantastic, and the Indigo Girls were on fire. It was a magical evening and I felt so lucky to be there. I pretty much knew right then that I needed to be in Austin! First and foremost, I love to sing. I have sung my whole life whether it be in front of people, in the car by myself, or in my practice room for my own enjoyment. I also love to be able to interact with the crowd, make jokes, tell stories, and talk about the meanings behind my songs. People
are often surprised how fun and engaging I am during my shows. My songs are very deep and serious, but I am honestly not that somber!
- Is there a song on your latest CD release here that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?
I have a new EP coming out June 17th called ‘We’ll Answer The Call.’ This EP tells the true story of Joe Rantz, the Washington Husky rowing team, and their epic bid for gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. It’s a story so unbelievable and so moving that I wrote five songs to tell this story from beginning to end. There is one member of this team still alive and well in 2022, and that is the boat. This eight man boat, named the Husky Clipper, has been restored and is currently hanging in the University of Washington boat house in Seattle. I even flew to Seattle to see the Husky Clipper a few years ago, and it was a very moving experience for me. The last song on the EP, called “Point Me East,” is sung from the point of view of the boat. Sung in the first person, it sounds as if I am talking about my kids getting older, myself not getting out much anymore, and wanting to live the rest of my life peacefully looking out over the water. Actually it’s the boat talking about the boys who made up that incredible 1936 collegiate team, and how the boat has been retired. The Husky Clipper actually does point east looking out the huge glass windows of the university boat house onto Lake Washington. The song was recorded very sparsely with only two acoustic guitars, vocals and backing vocals, and a string section. I really think it’s beautiful and a very powerful way to end the EP.
- How have you evolved as an artist over the last year?
It’s been an interesting year with Covid seemingly going away and things getting back to normal to the omicron variant shutting a lot down again. I used that downtime to continue to focus on my guitar and songwriting skills, and rework a lot of songs in my repetoire. A lot of that focus was on the five songs for this new EP, and I am so thankful to have had that time before recording. While I only made slight adjustments to the arrangements of the songs, I feel it made a big difference in the end product. When a song is well written, other parts, such as lead guitar, drums, etc., easily fall into place, and I feel this is how the recording process went for ‘We’ll Answer The Call.’ The added parts just “made sense”, and it felt like I had been playing these songs with the other musicians for years. While only five songs, this EP has so much variety in its sound and magic in its arrangements. I am so excited to share it with everyone.
- If you could meet, play a gig, co-write a song, have dinner, have a drink with any band or artist (dead or alive) who would it be?
This is so tough as there are so many, but I think I would say Billy Joel. I think he is very intelligent, and I find his personality very engaging. I would love to talk with him about his writing and recording process. I know I would learn so much from him, and have a damn good time as well!
- What’s next for you?
The next six weeks will be very busy with the release of “We’ll Answer The Call” on June 17th. I am very excited for a busy spring and summer playing many gigs, making music videos, doing interviews, and all other aspects of promoting the new music. I have a small RV named Roxie that I tour in, and I’m planning to tour the east coast in late fall.
