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The Basics...
Singer-songwriter currently residing in Washington, DC. So far, all studio albums have been recorded at home in one-man-band fashion. Style is a combination of folk- and indie-rock and sixties pop. Influences include the Beatles, R.E.M., Elliott Smith, Wilco, the Byrds, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young, among others. Has released several albums on own micro-label, Sweet Science, that have received very good reviews. Songs have been recorded by the Acoustic Gypsies and Book of Kills. Has performed solo-acoustic shows up and down both U.S. coasts and England. Has received airplay on several American and European radio stations. Former columnist for Tape Op, “the creative music recording magazine.”
The Past...
Raised in the tiny Northern California town of Ferndale. After high school graduation ran away and joined the U.S. Navy, living three years on an aircraft carrier in Norfolk, VA. Had musical awakening during this time, seeing bands like the Replacements, R.E.M., Waxing Poetics, Let’s Active, the Blasters, and countless others. Read lots about music and musicians, bought hundreds of CDs, and found a path to pursue. At the relatively late age of twenty, bought first guitar, learned to play, and soon after bought a Tascam 4-track recorder.
Upon returning home to California, started making crude “albums” at home, developing songwriting, instrumental, and arrangement skills. Formed the alternative rock three-piece band, the Orphans in 1992. After the Orphans project ran its course, concentrated more on recording. In September 1994, released Smile Slightly, “the first album that I felt was good enough to share with the world.” Suspicions confirmed when Smile Slightly got positive reviews.
1996 was spent recording the songs that would eventually form The Truth Hurts. The Truth Hurts, released January 1997, was a sparse, acoustic-based album about relationships and how they sometimes don’t work out the way we’d like. The album got excellent reviews and was compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Mazzy Star, and one-man-band East River Pipe.
Mostly solo live album, At The End Of The Day, released in the fall of 1999. Third studio album, Opera Alley, was released in June of 2000. Opera Alley’s songs were inspired by the classic pop of the Kinks, Beatles, and Beach Boys, as well as old favorites Neil Young and R.E.M., and deal with crushes, male/female politics, disillusionment, and ultimately, optimism. Called “one of my greatest discoveries of the year 2000” by Belgian DJ Ray Pieters. Two West Coast solo-acoustic tours followed Opera Alley’s release.
2001 was highlighted by a two-week jaunt through Virginia and Pennsylvania, weekly shows at the cozy 321Coffee in Eureka, and the release of the rarities collection, I Hope You’re Happy Now - The Thrift Store Series, vol. 1.
In 2002, after a six-month stay in Portland, Oregon, living with Richmond Fontaine bassist Dave Harding, decided to go back to college to study to be an Elementary School teacher. Enrolled at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA, in January 2003 and finished June of 2006, receiving a BA and a Teaching Credential. Despite releasing an album of new material, music was pretty much set aside during this period.
Most recent album, Roses For Sharon, was released in April 2005. Roses, like Opera Alley, was inspired by sixties pop-rock, but this time a theme of escape runs through the songs; Escape from roots, negative situations, the past, and lost loves.
Has moderated the Home Recording Workshops at the last several Tape Op (magazine) Conferences. These conferences are attended by some of the most talented and notable people in the music recording business, and the workshops have included the likes of Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney, Quasi), Sam Coomes (Quasi, Elliott Smith), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Jason Lytle (Grandaddy), Warn DeFever (His Name Is Alive), Jim Shelley (Book Of Kills), Anders Parker, Fred Cornog (East River Pipe), Charles Bissell (The Wrens), Howe Gelb, Nick Urata (DeVotchka), and Jon Rauhoue (Neko Case). Performed at the 2006 Tape Op Conference at Tucson’s Club Congress, on a bill that included American Music Club, M. Ward, and Cracker, among many others.
The Future...
Plans for the next few years include writing and recording the follow-up to Roses For Sharon, beginning to produce and record other artists, and a return to live performing and touring - solo and with other musicians in various electric and acoustic combinations.