I learned to write songs and perform on stage over a long, long, long time of subconscious research. Growing up in Tucson, Az and visiting family in Nogales, Az, I was introduced to a hurricane of different types and genres of music. I didn’t think anything of this growing up since I was a strictly “rock and roll” child, but as I’ve grown up I’ve been able to see the influences and styles flow into my music. I started to write songs when I was about 14, not the best and no where near what I heard in my head, but they were still songs that I wrote. I knew that I just had to keep working, listening, and honing my craft. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I really started to buckle down and dive into my guitar. I remember sitting down with the intention to write and would sit there for hours in a haze of confusion and riffs that felt strongly forced. I then remember one day during the Covid lockdown I listened to the album Nevermind by Nirvana but something was different. I was listening to it from the songwriters perspective. Listening to all the little nuances and inflections of the instruments and Kurt’s voice. I then watched some interviews and videos of the band and while watching them I realized that in the best moments they are having an extreme amount of fun, and the look of joy is all over their faces, and I remember saying to myself, “you just have to have fun.” I then just sat down with my guitar and played until I was having fun and smiling. I’ll write by just sitting down or walking around with my guitar and playing something until I feel like I’m having fun or what I’m playing has me juiced with excitement. And this doesn’t happen everyday, some days you don’t play anything that hits that feeling, and some days you can’t not play something that is infectious. Each song is different and has a different process, but the main key for my process is fun. In the end if it isn’t fun or makes you feel, it’s not gonna make others feel either.

I was introduced to the craft of music by my parents. My dad has been a life long musician and is an amazing drummer. When I was extremely young some of my first memories are watching my dad play drums and guitar and watching the Beatles movies A Hard Day’s Night and Help. I remember knowing immediately right then and there that this is what I want to do. I didn’t know that my goals would grow to crazy heights then but I knew that I wanted to be like my dad and like a Beatle. I was 3 years old when my dad got me my first drum kit and started to teach me, it was at such an early age because I kept  breaking  all the wooden spoons and forks beating on the pots in the kitchen. From there I started to play guitar, too, and I was hooked. If I wasn’t at school or doing sports I was playing guitar and drums or listening to new music. My dad helped me extremely, and when he didn’t know a certain song I would jump straight to YouTube and learn. The best part was that no one forced me, there was never any pressure to learn from my parents or family, I was able to cultivate my own relationship and my own creative flow with music. This is and always will be thee best part of music for me, the second side is the business. I started to learn the business in high school with the different new bands that I would join and start. This was an extremely basic and new knowledge, but it was a good base. Once I decided to write my own songs and perform them I had to begin learning  how to word the emails, talk to bands, network, and self promote. It was extremely daunting and difficult. While there is a lot of information available about the business side of music, each person has a different course and journey with it. After a year or two I picked up more and more insight and some of the skills needed to help get to a point where it feels easier and stress free now. The one point that will always stay true to me is that I will always be learning something new, whether it be writing or playing music or the business side I know I will never truly master it, but will always be  one step closer to having more information and knowledge to help myself and to share with others.

I would say my goal is to have as much fun as I can and to try and spread as much good music as possible. Growing up I used music as a tool to feel connected and related to. Being a huskier red head brought its own headaches so music was an escape from reality; Where I could feel whatever I wantEd and feel like someone understood and heard me. I think this is why I dove into music so hard . It was a creative space where I could paint any emotion or energy. If I can foster that same feeling for a millisecond, or even make someone smile, my mission and goal for music will be complete.

I think at the end of the day the best way to support artists now is to go to shows, to buy their music and merch directly from them,, and share your new favorite bands and songs with people as much as you can. Making money on streaming is a tough time now since the services pay fractions of cents to the artists, but streaming is an amazing tool as well! Posting your favorite bands music or songs focuses more eyes and attention on them,  and helps spread the word by just having a song play. The best way to foster a community is to go to live shows and meet the bands either before or after theie set, this helps the bands and fans at the same time. The interaction helps foster a closer relationship that hopefully will make people  want bring their friends and others to see and meet the cool new band they like. Bands rely on crowds and people coming out to shows, crowds help them get invited back to venues and be able to make money on their craft. When going to a show you’ll be able to meet other like minded people or people that just want to have fun but all are welcoming. The best community is a positive one, so as a band or musician always try to be as cool and kind as possible, people came out to see YOU, make them feel like a guest in your home and like their family, at the end of the day they support you just as much as your parents if not more.