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How would you classify your music?
I think the best way to classify my music is Country music for people who are just getting into Country music. It really has a blend of several different types of music – mainly Country, Pop-Punk, Rock, and Pop. Coming up and growing as a musician I went through so many different phases and scenes which really gave me quite the variety of genres under my belt. Since deciding to pursue the solo artist route, I found I can really bring these all together and not stick to a specific mold or sound. I’d say it mostly fits the Country category, but it borders a few other ones and I believe that makes it quite accessible to many different people.
Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?
This one is constantly changing, but here’s the most recent list. In no particular order, I’d say Morgan Wallen, Brett Eldredge, Kameron Marlowe, Ian Munsick, and Russell Dickerson.
What do you want fans to take from your music?
The thing I look for most in a song is the story. I love all the instrumentation and that’s a huge part of it, but the lyrics really have to hit me and I like being able to connect to them in some way. When I write my music, I usually start off with a personal experience and from there I pull in parts of my friends and family lives to make it whole. For the most part, each of my songs is a mix of different stories/experiences myself or people around me have gone through so people may be able to connect to a certain part of a song, then work the rest of it into their life somehow. So to answer the question, I really want fans to be able to connect with my music and feel like they’re living the song.
How’s the music scene in your locale?
I haven’t really explored the Country scene in my city due to Covid and some other reasons, but I’ve connected online with a few artists and industry folk and they are absolutely fantastic here. The producers I’m working with (Dan Botch & Garrett Ward of The Renaissance) have really made a name for themselves in the country scene as well. It seems like the genre is really growing here, so I’m very excited to start playing shows, meeting fans and other artists!
What is the best concert you have been to? What do you like most about playing live?
The best concert I’ve been to is very different than the music I play, but I saw Metallica down in Seattle a few years ago and it was by far the best show I’ve ever seen. It was actually the first outdoor show I’d been to and it made all the difference – just the sound, environment and feel was something I haven’t really experienced at a show since.
Is there a song on your latest CD release here that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?
This is a tough one, but my most recent single “Seventeen” has been one I’ve wanted to release for a couple years. It was the very first song I wrote after making the decision to take the solo path, and actually the first country song I wrote. It actually hits quite deep in terms of memories and personal experience and I’m sure listeners would get that from the lyrics. The song itself almost sounds like a Pop-rock song in terms of progressions, lyrics and structure. It’s the tune that acts as that bridge from my bands days to my solo artist days.
How have you evolved as an artist over the last year?
I feel I’ve really grown this past year as not only an artist, but songwriter and musician as well. I had so many habits and styles that I was stuck to for years in my writing and playing but this past year was a huge change for me. I made a conscious effort to learn new styles, songs and ways of approaching music in terms of guitar playing and lyric/songwriting. I’ve been writing at least a chorus a day for the past few months and just from that my songwriting has improved and changed so much. Pulling in different influences that I never really would have listened to before has been a big help in my development as well.
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?
Oh man this is a tough one. I think right now it would have to be the Morgan Wallen, Hardy and Ernest trio (if that’s allowed). It seems like they’re taking over the country music scene right now and have unbelievable song writing & showmanship skills. Besides that, they seem like really fun dudes to grab a. beer with.
What’s next for you?
Hopefully more studio time and live gigs! I have so many songs ready to be recorded and release right now, it’s just a matter of finding some time to get back into the studio and record them. After 3-4 more, I’ll have enough for a live show so I’m really looking forward to putting a set list together and getting on stage.
