Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I’m from Fort St. John BC, a small oil town up north. I come from a music family, my father and grandparents made a living playing in clubs, at weddings and dances growing up. Bluegrass and classic country was their thing. There was always someone playing an instrument in the background, It was like the soundtrack to my childhood. I remember watching awards shows on tv and seeing the musicians and admiring how cool and great they were. I did my best to mimic them and knew from early on that it’s all I wanted to do.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I was self taught mostly until I realized it wasn’t working that well for me. I went to Musicians Institute in LA in my early 20’s and had a blast learning how to use my voice. My wife Sarah and I lived down there right behind Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and soaked up that Hollywood lifestyle. It was wonderful.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Probably Eagles and Beatles. I was obsessed with live vids and reruns of old TV shows the two bands had been on. All of the bluegrass, Jim and Jesse, Osbourne Brothers, Alison Krouse etc. really sunk in and stuck with me. George Jones was a big one. He and Stompin Tom were my dads favs so we wore those tapes out.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘A Traveler’s Lament’. Is there a story behind it?
A: It wasn’t intentional, but when I listened back to this record it had this theme of travel, heartbreak, hope and acceptance. I’ve always been a traveller and love living life on the road. I think the hardest lessons, the ones that hurt badly, always teach us the most and test who we are and maybe who we think we are. You’ll find all the best lessons out there on the road.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: My music is about the nitty gritty and about skipping all the fluff. It’s about truth and hardship and hope. It’s about life and that life is good even when it’s bad.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think the truth always resonates. I write about my life and experience and hope that folks can find some of their own story in mine. People have said they like that my music is a mix of great genres. Country, Rock, Bluegrass, Blues. I think these elements connect with a lot of people in my age group and where I’m from.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I don’t expect anything. Just having the luxury to create is all the fulfilment I’d ever need. Anything after that is a lucky blessing
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I’ll say something or someone else will and I’ll get a picture in my head, like I can see the song. I immediately put the hook or idea in voice memos and go back to it later. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with it and have to get up and write the song. It’s all very cosmic and primal. Trusting my instincts and gut and letting the songs speak up is my process, if that makes sense. There is a more formal regimented portion where I’ll sit and work but that’s less fun to talk about.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Oh man. Good question….HMMM……. My cousin Kristen passed away a few years back. She was my age and was more like a sister to me. That was very difficult. She has two kids and it was all very tragic. My family and childhood were a bit of a mess. I left home at 14 and had to figure out how to navigate. I remember that first night after leaving was difficult. Very uncertain and vulnerable. There has been a lot in my life that has been difficult but I’m smiling and loving life. In music I think it was watching my band fall apart. I was in a band that had a record deal and was booking tickets to fly to Coachella to showcase for Scooter Braun’s new record label as Scooter was a big fan. When he saw our passports and how old we were he shut it down and everything kind of crumbled after that. It had been a 7 year climb and it all fell apart very quickly.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: There is nothing like having a child. It’s like witnessing a miracle. My kids are my proudest thought and memory everyday. My wedding day is up there as well. In music I think the moment I stopped worrying. I’ll never forget, I had to quit to get to this place but I got here. I don’t make music to try and have a hit or to make money. I only do it to do it. Because I love it.
