The Time Is Right...

I just released a new mini-album

I’d love for you to listen to my new music. It is late and I do not plan on writing too much for this. I spent the entire day writing about K-pop for school (I will post my paper after I’ve made revisions) and then I wound down with my buddy Austin, who has been an immense help in putting together this release from start to finish.

Here is the bandcamp link:

I didn’t include a thank you list on the physical tape or on the bandcamp page because I had entirely too many people to thank and too much to say. This is my first full release as a solo artist under my own name and I put in so much work on this project, but I honestly couldn’t have done it without all of the people in my life. This was a major growing process for me as an artist and a musician and a person in general. It’s amazing to me that what began as an idea that seemed so far out of reach became something that I can physically hold in my hand, listen to and be proud of. There is only one track on this album that I did not write, engineer and perform all of the instruments on; everything else is me.

I’d like to thank Austin again for helping me work out some kinks early on, being around to bob his head and groove with my ideas when I came up with something good, helping me dub tapes and just generally keeping me motivated to complete this work. This man is an amazing friend, a true fan of my work and one of my most trusted collaborators who keeps me in check when I’m going too big and challenges me to go bigger when I’m doubting myself. Thank you so much.

I have to thank my parents, my brother, my dogs and the rest of my family for supporting all of my questionable decisions and always supporting my art, my lifestyle and just for being the best family anyone could ask for. The older I get the more appreciative I am for how loved and supported I am.

I am aware that this point in my musical journey seems like a hard left turn based on my past bands and projects, but I have to give a shout out to anyone who has played music with me for the last decade plus. Aden and Everett (and their amazing family) for pushing me to refine my taste and really helping me hone my skills and go bigger when I was just learning to express myself with music, and also for sticking with me and being my chosen family when I needed them the most.

Anthony, Sipes, Byrdman, Txtbook, my Terre Haute homies who can go harder than anyone else. You guys amaze me with your constant creations and your ability to out-rock any fool in the Midwest. Anthony, you have been rocking with me and coming up with silly jokes and songs with me longer than I can say for anyone. The journey is nothing without my boys. Y’all love to have fun and make noise and I appreciate any time I get to rock with you guys, a group of some of the most talented and creative musicians I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

I gotta thank Pat, Alex and Reid for helping me to further expand my pallet of what I listened to and played. Even though we don’t talk as much or get to hangout, you guys continue to inspire me with your new projects, your unwavering determination and dedication to your music and how far you have come since we met.

Francesca, I cannot say enough kind words to describe how good of a friend you have been to me. While Aden and Ev introduced me to jazz, you showed me things that blew my mind and completely changed my idea of what music can be and what it can mean.

Zaki, for always helping make my music sound clean when it needs it and filthy when I want it. You have done so much for me and there isn’t a dollar amount I could put on our friendship and the work we have done together that would be even close to what I owe you. My number one collaborator, near or far, who always gives it to me straight and always has some obscure prog rock to show me in his back pocket.

To my Negative Head boys, Jack, Ryan and Asher for believing in my vision, respecting my taste and helping me find my footing in the Atlanta DIY scene. Also to the Ugly Joy family, there are too many of you mother fuckers to name, but from beginning to end, that project taught me that I can write the music I want to hear and work with people to bring it to reality. Too many great guitarists in that band, and even if it’s just a blip on your musical resume, it means the world to me that so many people wanted to be a part of it, even if the whole process of keeping the band together wore me out to the point of burnout.

I’d be a fool to leave out the Squeam Team. Squeamish, as a band, and as individuals, have made me feel so loved and respected, and each member of this band has made me feel like they cared about my opinions on their music and music in general. They’ve kept me motivated and inspired, they’ve supported me when I needed it and they always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I have toured with them more than anyone else, and even though it was brief, it was fun and exciting and it felt great to be learning and experiencing with a group of young, hungry guys who are serious about their craft, who have extremely solid morals and who also just love to party and have fun. These boys are the unexpected MVPs of the last few years of my life.

I would lastly like to thank anyone who listened to my tracks before they were done or when I wasn’t sure what did or did not work and just needed some fresh ears. Friends, old and new, gave me useful feedback when I needed it, even up to the last minute. This especially applies to all of the girlies in my life, the amazing, resilient and talented women who have been my friends, my fans, helped give me perspective when I needed it and tolerated me at my lowest and worst. If y’all didn’t like this shit then it wasn’t worth doing.

I wanted to do a track by track breakdown, but I think keeping at least a small air of mystery is going to make me happier. Half of these songs are brand new, two of them are tracks I wrote years ago and one is a cover. That is about as much as I am interested in saying about it and I leave the rest to you.

Thank you again to everyone who made this possible. I’m already working on the next thing and it is already shaping up to be bigger and better than what I present to you today.

I’m tired. Good night and enjoy.