Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
These songs were written over a span of about 4 years by myself and also a handful of co-writers. I was doing a lot of experimentation with songs and production at the time and because I was starting over in a sense and moving back to a new place I wanted to meet new people and work with as many folks as possible. I didn’t have any expectations, but I wanted to have plenty of songs and find the sonic landscape for that chapter of life. After a few years in town, I landed on producer Jordan Lehning. We took some of the most brilliant musicians up with us to Asheville, North Carolina and tracked live for a week. It was a special time and I’m still very proud of the body of work that we all created.
What is the favorite song you wrote and why?
On this album it would probably be “Once You Were Mine”. It’s the most raw and devastating song of the mix. I was going through a hard season fresh out of a divorce and I feel like that song captured exactly where I was in that moment. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write a song like that again. I hope I don’t have to.
Who are your all time musical icons?
I grew up listening to rock and roll and the LA folk scene. Jackson Browne, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Joni Mitchell, etc…but because I’m from Alabama southern rock also had a big influence on me. Groups like the Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. As I progressed British Rock and Roll was also a heavy influence. Beatles, Zeppelin, Clapton… etc.
What are some things to do to keep your inspiration alive?
Life. I always try and stay in the moment. Be present and live each day like it’s my last. If I do that I tend to find life much more exciting and have more to write about.
Who are you binge listening to these days?
I keep going back to Jackson Browne “Running On Empty”… For some reason that album has been on constant rotation for the last year. As for current artists I have been wearing out the new Lord Huron album along with Michael Kiwanuka’s latest.
Favorite movie or TV show?
Almost Famous.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
Like I said before, “Modern Hearts” was a few years in the making. It took me awhile to get it where I wanted it to be. As for the new release…I’m extremely grateful to have a brilliant team at Vacancy Records to help release the album on a larger scale. Having this music out and about overseas is really exciting for me.
Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?
In the past with the band I would do a bunch of pushups or jumping jacks to get warmed up. Just try and move my body around and I’d always say a little prayer, but as of lately it’s just been me out playing solo shows so I just try and check in with myself before hand and make sure my mind is clear and ready to channel the energy that is needed for everyone in the room.
What’s the future looking like for you?
It’s all a little bit up in the air right now with Covid, but hopefully I’ll be back on the road playing shows and singing these songs live. Meeting new people and connecting through the music. I have a string of west coast dates lined up for October, but you never know with where we’re at right now. Some shows have already been cancelled and rescheduled. It all feels a little Deja Vu’…so I’m just going day by day and trying to keep my head down and focus on what I can control & that’s the music.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
It’s mostly artists from the 70’s. Rolling Stones, Beatles, Bowie, etc. I feel like that was the best era for fashion and music.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
It’s the fact that i’m still here making music and people are still interested. Looking back it’s really hard to process all of the amazing things that have happened to me and all of the places and people I’ve met. I’m just grateful to still be here doing what I love to do.
What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?
I have no clue. haha. Whenever this question is brought up, I try and say something like “Just be yourself & don’t fall into the trap of the mainstream fast food scene” My favorite artists are always the trailblazers that pave their own way and let everyone else catch up to them. Nobody knows yourself better than you, so trust your gut and follow your intuition. Make the art that moves you. That’s the only thing that matters. If you do all that, then all the other fun things will fall into place.
What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?
Call me old school, but I just want live shows to be back. Like I said earlier, I’m only focused on what I can control and that’s the music. The business side of things changes so quickly and it’s hard for me to keep up with. It’s all evolving and moving at rapid speeds with social media, artists getting signed based off of viral tik tok videos, etc… There’s always something to catch up on. There’s a lot of ways for artists to be heard and seen now which is very exciting. I’m rooting for everyone these days. To me there is only two types of music. Good and Bad. Hopefully with the changes over the past year and the covid lockdown, we come out on the other side with a new perspective on life and a whole lot of honest music to go along with it.
