Can you share your musical journey with us, from when you first discovered your passion for music to where you are today as an independent musician?
My father was a gigging musician, and my mother is wonderful singer, so I grew up in a musical household. I started singing and playing piano at a very young age and after trying multiple other instruments, I landed on guitar and never looked back. Once I started becoming more fluent on guitar, I began writing songs, I knew that this was something that I would always want, and need, to do.
What motivates you to create music, and how do you stay inspired to continue making new and unique music?
Writing songs and creating music is a form of therapy. It is very spiritually satisfying when a song is completed. I have always wanted to progress and grow, which has been my inspiration to continue to write, record, and perform.
As an independent musician, you wear many hats – from composing to marketing. How do you balance these different aspects of your career, and what challenges do you face in the process?
It’s tough to balance everything to be honest. There’s so much to the whole marketing aspect that I am trying to learn and improve on, and just like composing, it’s a lifelong learning process. One of the challenges I am currently facing, aside from raising two young boys and a puppy, is keeping up with the social media trends and evolving technology to leverage my musical presence. I haven’t cracked the code yet…but I also haven’t given up!
Could you tell us about your creative process? How do you come up with new ideas for songs, and how do you go about turning those ideas into finished tracks?
In all honesty, I try my best to remain circumspect to any and all ideas that present themselves to me in one way or another and do my best to diligently record them. I hundreds of voice memo ideas, song titles/lyrics, or general “theme” ideas for a song stashed away on my phone. Turning ideas into finished songs is a skill all on it’s own, and much like marketing, I’m still trying to solidify the best process that works for me. One thing that helps in general is setting up goals and deadlines for myself. I know if I set a goal and stick to a schedule, I will find a way to make it work. However, when we are talking about writing songs, sometimes it takes 20 minutes to write a song, and sometimes it takes years for the idea to fully marinate and become developed. It truly depends on the song.
Independent musicians often face financial challenges. How do you manage your finances to sustain your music career while also covering your personal expenses?
The simple answer to this question is that I have a day job. I currently work in the IT field, which has provided me the opportunity to perform in the evening, which I am extremely grateful for.
Can you share a particularly memorable or challenging experience from your journey as a musician that has had a significant impact on your career and personal growth?
I recall my first performance of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” in front of my entire High School after only playing the guitar for a matter of months. Even though I definitely flubbed my way through the David Gilmour licks, I was met with an extremely positive crowd reaction. I believe this moment gave me the “Hmmm…maybe I’m not that bad at this” feeling, which completely boosted my musical confidence.
In terms of personal growth, songwriting and recording has been overwhelmingly therapeutic and helpful while I have gone through the various stages of life.
With the rise of digital platforms, the music industry has changed significantly. How do you navigate the digital landscape, including streaming services and social media, to promote your music and connect with your audience?
While I am always using social media to promote my shows and releases, I must admit that I am not an expert whatsoever with how to really take advantage of all aspects of the digital landscape. I am taking notes and learning though!!
Collaboration is a key part of the music industry. Have you worked with other musicians or producers, and how have these collaborations influenced your sound and career?
Yes, this is so true. Within the last 10 years or so I’ve been collaborating with some amazing musicians. I have found that the more you ultimately network with like-minded individuals, the better off you will be. I have made some amazing contacts with producers, musicians, and engineers while being a Voting Member of the Recording Academy, the Grammy’s.
One collaboration that has greatly influenced me is working my amazingly talented cousin, John B Hedges. We worked closely on my release “Slightly South of Stormy Clouds” and currently have another project in the works.
Your music likely reflects your unique style and perspective. Could you describe your musical identity and what makes your sound stand out in a crowded industry?
I believe my music stands out as unique because I approach my music as honestly as possible. All of the years of listening, performing, studying, and writing has created my own personal sound, which reflects my perspective. I don’t write music to follow a successful pattern to fit certain formulas. I feel I’m in the business for the right reasons.
What role does live performance play in your music career, and how do you approach planning and executing your live shows, especially in light of recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic?
For the last 20 years, I have been performing regularly mainly in the Norther California region. I have been fortunate enough to continue these live performances since the COVID-19 pandemic. While everyone was in lock-down a few years ago, I was able to continue performing in a live-streaming platform. While the live streaming shows are not quite the same, I’m grateful I was able to do them and connect with fans, friends, and family from all over the country.
Many fans are interested in the stories behind the songs. Could you share the backstory or inspiration behind one of your recent tracks that holds special meaning to you?
I released a song from my “Slightly South of Stormy Clouds” album titled “Calm Down”. This track can be considered an interlude as it is very short; however, it is quite meaningful to me. To make a long story short, a very dear friend of mine passed away very suddenly at a very young age. I, unfortunately was at the scene when he was found and it was a fairly traumatic experience. Not really knowing how to process the emotions and feelings I was going through, I wrote “Calm Down” which essentially resembles the five stages of grief.
Side note/easter egg: This song intentionally “calms down” as the tempo of the song gradually slows throughout the tune.
Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations as an independent musician? Are there any upcoming projects or exciting developments in your career that you’d like to share with your fans and the audience?
I recently finished a Christmas Album called “Night Divine” which will be released on all platforms on October 27, 2023. This was a very fun and challenging project as I produced, arranged, and recorded the album myself. I used this project to turn well-known holiday songs into my own by twisting them up to match my unique style.
Another project, which I briefly mentioned earlier, is a collaboration with John B Hedges called, “Cousin Hedges”. We are currently in the process of mixing our first EP and we are hopeful for a release in 2024.
I also have another solo album that is also in the early stages, but has been in my head for quite some time. Once the Cousin Hedges album is released, this will be my next goal/focus to finish.
Thank you so much for your time! I truly hope you enjoy my latest release “Night Divine”!
