Where can we find you right now and what are you up to?
I am a full-time music teacher from Long Island, NY, and have the pleasure of making music with talented and passionate students every day. After school, I turn my attention to The Good Times, writing, mixing, and mastering all music.
Tell us a bit about your influences.
As a teenager in the late 90's, I vividly remember listening to Third Eye Blind's debut album on repeat. Today, I find myself still gravitating towards chord progressions with a similar sound. I'm a huge fan of Owen and the beautifully layered guitar melodies that Mike Kinsella writes. And following that same technique, yet much louder, the grand orchestrations and full spectrum of sound on Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People album sparked a bunch of ideas for me.
How did you start?
I started playing guitar in 7th grade and joined my first garage band. My brother was the drummer so we were able to practice every day. In high school, I joined a band and moved over to bass. We played all over the tri-state area, and I had some pretty memorable experiences with the group. During college, I started my own band, serving as lead singer and primary songwriter, with my brother back behind the drums.
What obstacles does an emerging artist have to face in our time?
While recording software and digital music services make it easier than ever to create and share music, the competition with so many talented artists makes it challenging to stand out. The lack of response after a new release can certainly be discouraging, but it's essential to believe in what you're doing. Before worrying about world domination, create music for yourself.
What worked for you marketing-wise? What advice or tips would you give to new artists?
Reach out to (and follow up with) bands, college and independent radio, printed and online magazines, and promoters, always being polite, professional, and humble. They may not be able to help you right away, but if you're gracious and supportive of what they're doing, they just might be willing to push your music out when you contact them again.
What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?
I love the process of writing music, experimenting with different parts and sounds, recording, and eventually listening back to the finished product, so I'm sure I'll still be doing it. I hope to have more people enjoy my music, singing along in the car and putting them in a good mood.
Tell us about your latest or upcoming release.
I recently released A Welcome Sign EP. I'm so proud of these 5 songs, each highlighting a different attribute of my songwriting. The first three tracks are up-tempo, fun indie-rock, reminiscent of the early 2000s. "Warm The Air" is more experimental, layered with strings and horns and fairly dissonant sounds. The closing track, while it might be a bit too loud, would make a great first dance at a wedding! The EP as a whole is a fun ride.
@the.good.times.music