Could you share the story behind your latest song and what inspired its creation?
Jump on These Blues is inspired by the many badass females that I have had the honor of working with throughout the years. I wrote this song as an anthem for them. Navigating the music world and trying to find your place amongst the sea of talent is hard enough for anyone… But then add-in all the hurdles, hassles and B.S. that comes along with just being female in this world… Well, any girl will tell you, it just shouldn’t be this difficult.
Released on March 1, to kick off Women’s History Month, Jump on These Blues is dedicated to ALL the incredible females in history who have pushed through boundaries and responded to “no, you can’t” with an enthusiastic middle finger. Taking their anger, pain and frustration and using it as fuel to persevere, and prove everyone wrong.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I never know what the songs are going to be about, when they arrive. They are almost always fueled by emotion, though… ANY emotion. I’m not even sure I have a process, and I don’t really feel like I have any control over how/when the songs show up. Even the title “SongWRITER” feels odd to me… Song SCULPTOR seems more accurate, since the process for me usually involves a tune or a melody and/or chord progression showing up with a mumbling of seemingly random words and phrases that sound like a song. Kind of like if a piece of driftwood were to wash up on the shore and I pick it up and carve it. Sometimes, that piece of wood might resemble a bird, so I carve it into a bird. Other times, the piece of wood is just perfect, as-is, and all I do is just sand the edges a bit. Many times, a big chunk of driftwood will wash up and I won’t really know what to do with it… I can tell that it’s SOMETHING but I don’t know what, and I’ll just set it up on the shelf for weeks or years until one day I pick it up and I see/feel/hear something I never did before, and I start carving away.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
This is something that I probably should focus more attention to, but I’ve never really thought about commercial appeal. The songs just show up, and I try to let them grow into whatever they seem to want to be. Whenever I try to force a song to be/sound one way or another for whatever reason, I’m never really happy with the result.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Needing to be/do EVERYTHING. Promoter, advertiser, graphic designer, booking agent, manager… Doesn’t really leave enough time for ARTIST. And, of course, not being able to make a living off of the art.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I absolutely LOVE collaborating. I spend SO much time in my own head, with my own ideas… I LOVE watching ideas grow and morph organically, into things they never possibly would have on my own. My favorite thing in the whole world is creating music with other people.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
At this point in my life, as a father and husband (and a socially awkward introvert), technology and social media are the ONLY reason I’m able to do what I do and connect with my audience. I can’t imagine I would have been able to accomplish a fraction of what I have done over the years if it wasn’t for technology.
Are there any particular artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
I can honestly say that EVERY artist and genre that I have ever enjoyed has had an impact on my musical style. I enjoy nearly every type of music out there, so perhaps that’s why my songs can come out sounding so different, so often. I’ve always gravitated toward and connected with any song that pulls an emotion up and out of me. Whether lyrically, rhythmically or melodically… If the song has the power to MOVE me (emotionally or physically) I love it.
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?
This is another area that could probably use some work… My relationship and engagement with fans is sporadic, and probably bordering on bi-polar! 😉 I feel like I’m either over-sharing or not sharing enough. There seems to be no in-between with me. I need help!
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
I feel like every live performance impacts the next one. Always learning. Always growing. Always room for improvement. I think that the quiet/listening gigs have impacted me the most. When the audience is engaged and truly absorbing the music… Those shows have always been the most enjoyable and motivational for me.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
Like I said before, I can’t imagine I would have been able to accomplish a fraction of what I have done over the years if it wasn’t for technology–And I can see both negative and positive sides of the changing landscape–But, from the perspective of someone like me, who is just happy to get my music heard by as many people as possible, AND be able to discover and hear so much amazing music by other artists (that I otherwise would never hear, if it wasn’t for technology) I feel like it’s a really wonderful time to be alive! It would be really nice to see more of the streaming revenue going to the actual artists, though.