1) Can you tell us a little about your journey into music and how it all began?
A) Even though I grew up surrounded by music, it wasn’t until my 20’s that I picked up a guitar and began creating music myself. As a kid, I was a horrible singer but I’d always loved writing and storytelling, so it was somewhat natural for me to find music as a new way to express the emotions and stories that I couldn’t easily put into words otherwise. I started with simple acoustic songs and, over the years, I’ve found my own voice, incorporating elements of soul, folk, and roots music. Over time, it’s become more than just a pastime—I truly believe it’s my purpose.
2) How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “AHI”?
A) Honestly, I don’t have the answer to how to grow a fan base. We’re living in a time where it feels like we have the potential to reach the entire world, but everyone has something to promote at the same time. I believe you’ve just got to make good music and be consistent with sharing it.Those who are meant to hear it will find you. I hope that when people discover me, they discover a breath of fresh air amongst the noise. A voice of refreshing honesty where they can feel comfortable enough to let their guard down in a world where we’re all putting on appearances.
3) You took the bold step of learning to engineer and produce music yourself. What was the most unexpected challenge or joy you encountered while building your home studio and crafting those detailed demos?
A) The most unexpected challenge was definitely learning the technical side of things. It’s a lot to take in, and I realized it was a whole new language to speak. But the joy came in the freedom to create without boundaries. I could experiment and try things in real-time, which really brought out the raw emotion I wanted to capture in the songs. When something clicks, and you realize you’ve created something from start to finish on your own, it’s one of the best feelings ever.
4) The album carries a message of connection and kindness in the face of struggle. Can you share a moment from your life that inspired this central theme?
A) There’s so much beauty in connection, even in hard times. I’ve backpacked across many parts of this globe, and those times were definitely challenging, but as cliché as it sounds, what got me through was the kindness of strangers – especially those who were going through their own personal struggles. I think we often forget that we’re not alone in our struggles, and this album came from wanting to share that message.
5) How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A) Honest.
6) Did you face any challenges while writing or recording this album?
A) Was putting together a team to help me bring this record to life. When you’re independent but want to create something that sonically competes with majors it’s hard to find the personnel. Cost, time and commitment are all factors that affect the potential of some many collaborators. But the more I can do on my own and the less I relied on others, the easier it became to find those people who were passionate about bringing this music to life.
7) What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A) The message in my music is really about hope, resilience, and compassion. I want my songs to connect people and remind them that no matter what life throws at us, we can always find the light behind the sun. My goal as an artist is simple: to create music that heals, that makes people feel seen, and that inspires others to embrace their true selves without fear.
8) Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (Dead or alive)
A) I don’t know how good of a collaboration this would be, but just to be in the same studio as Micahael Jacson while he’s laying down his vocals, would be a masterclass unparalleled.
9) You’ve spoken about your ideas being dismissed by the old guard of the music industry. What advice would you give to other artists struggling to stay true to their vision in a world that often tries to put them in a box?
A) You really have no choice anymore. People want either complete authenticity or extreme fabrication. Anything in between is wallpaper.
10) If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A) Say “yes”. Not to any and everything, but primarily to yourself; to your opportunities. I live on the border of paranoid and hyper-intuitive, so you just gotta know how to balance that without living in fear of what might happen.
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