10 Questions

1. What comes first, music or lyrics?
It depends on the song. Sometimes, I start with a mix of both, but I don’t exclusively begin writing with one or the other.

2. Who is one of your biggest influences yet your music sounds NOTHING like them?
Kendrick Lamar

3. Favorite band name
I have to choose one? The Contours, The Walkmen, Sonic Youth, TV on the Radio.

4. Go-to karaoke song
On principle, I don’t do karaoke. But I could be persuaded to sing “Let”s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye

5. Most moving musical experience (not one of your own shows)
This is a tough one! But it has to be when I saw Leonard Cohen in 2009. I’m not a crier, but I cried twice, when he played “Bird on a Wire” and again when he played “Hallelujah”.

6. You’ve been asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a major sporting event. Accept or Decline?
Decline

7. Craziest or funniest thing that ever happened at a gig?
I played in a friend’s backyard, and some kids in the neighborhood threw rocks at me from over the fence. Fortunately, no one got hurt, but that’s probably the most wild thing that’s happened to me on stage.

8. What are you currently working on?
I’m always writing new songs. But lately, I’m getting my bearings with recording and engineering at home. And I’m pushing myself to work more with synths.

9. Currently listening to?
Patsy Cline, Connie Smith, Chico Hamilton Quartet, and Yasmin Williams

10. Your next gig is playing a one-song concert for a world wide audience. Which of your songs would you play and why?
Well, first things first, I probably wouldn’t decide until hours before the show. But assuming this is a big crowd, I would most likely play “Everybody Wants to Dance”. It’s catchy, not a downer, and it’s one of my shortest songs. Get in and get out before I wear out my welcome.