Could you share the story behind your latest song and what inspired its creation?
My latest single is called “Breaking Down the Walls”. It’s really a song about overcoming adversity, getting past the obstacles in front of you and just keep moving forward. It’s how I try to live my own life.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions
you tend to explore in your music?
I honestly have no real approach to writing. I don’t sit down and decide to write with any themes or emotions in mind. I will have lyrics just pop into my head, maybe just a few words, a title, a chorus, but it is very random. I have been woken up in the middle of the night with lyrics in my head and I have to write them down. Like I said, totally random. If I try to write a song about something specific, if it’s not coming from my heart then it just doesn’t work. It sounds very cold and not
authentic.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial
appeal?
That’s a good question. I guess I don’t think about commercial appeal really. I write what I like. I
try to write things that I would want to hear.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Everything. I am still trying to learn the business side of things. With around 100,000 tracks being
uploaded to Spotify every day, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Trying to find my unique voice, my fan
base, a way to stand out is extremely challenging. I am a work in progress.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it
influence your creative process?
I absolutely LOVE collaborating with other musicians. I learn something from everyone I’ve worked with. Since I usually only write lyrics, I rely on my co-writers to help with the music and melodies. I like to work with people who are far more talented and creative than I am so I can learn even more. The more I learn, the better I get. That’s the whole point, right?
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with
your audience?
Right now, it is really the only way I can promote. I have not been able to perform live
since I started back due to some lung issues, so I rely on social media for my promotion and for reaching
out to the people who are listening and supporting this new endeavor of mine. I am grateful that I can still
do what I love, even from home. Once I get past the lung issue and get better, then I can focus more on
live performance and get out there.
Are there any particular artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
When I was very young, I had to sit and listen to the country music station every morning before school,
because that was what my father liked. He even took me to a few concerts of some of his favorite artists. I guess that style has stayed with me even though I rarely listen to country now. I am a rocker at heart but
love all genres. I think the artist that has had the most influence on me is Myles Kennedy. He is also a
lover of different genres. Jazz, blues, country, rock – all rolled up into one incredible artist. He is also the
one who inspired me to even pick up the guitar again.
Indie musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your
fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I am trying to get better at that. I try to keep my website updated, send out updates through my newsletter and post to the socials as often as I can. I really should start doing some live videos on IG and FB but I struggle with being on camera. It’s not in my comfort zone but I will get better at it. I also try to respond to comments and questions, but it really depends on what the message or questions are. I’ve gotten some messages that I can’t repeat.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting
impact on you and your music?
I flew to Vegas to see some friends last year, one of whom was playing
his own show then performing the following night at a Las Vegas show called Raiding The Rock Vault.
Both of those shows were so different but both equally amazing. I watched and listened as my friend sang and performed so many different songs with such ease, energy and passion. He was born to perform and you can tell he was having fun doing it. The female artists in the show were equally as talented. The more I watched, the more I knew I wanted to get stronger so that I can be on one of those stages soon and do what I’ve always wanted to do. That is my goal. I want to get back on the stage and share my songs and my story with others.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music
consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
Well, it is easier now to record and release music thanks to those streaming platforms. It can mean you get lost in the crowd at times but it also means you have full control of what you are writing and putting out into the world. I think the word independent really says it all. It’s freedom, even though it can be frustrating at times.