What have been some of your greatest
challenges and successes working in the
industry?
“For me, the biggest challenge has been
networking. I can be very social when it feels
right and I think I’m a pretty likeable person,
but I often just want to sit in my room all day
writing songs and daydreaming. I’m not too fond
of all the industry schmoozing because I don’t
really fit the mold most people in the industry
are used to, so it’s hard to communicate that in
a first impression elevator pitch conversation.
I’m way better at it now, but I’d really just
prefer my music to speak for itself. This is
a relationship-driven industry though, and
there is no success without making the right
connections. My success is that I’m doing me.
When people discover me, they are discovering
something wholly unique and true to self. It’s
refreshing not only for them but for me as well.
I hope that people get lost in my music the way
I and so many others have gotten lost in Bob
Marley or 2Pac’s music. I truly feel like I’ve
found a way to break through the noise without
compromising my integrity.”
You’ve toured quite a bit. What were some
of your favourite experiences?
“There are so many! But what I’m finding is
that the more I tour the better everything is
getting. My career is growing exponentially
every day, so you might have to come and find
me in ten years and ask me this question again.
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But to give some kind of answer, touring the
UK and Europe with my wife and three-year-
old daughter was something I’ll always hold
close to me. People thought we were crazy for
doing it, and maybe we were. We were naïve,
but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
How did you go about forming a band that
synced with you?
“To be honest, I think it’s the songs. The songs
are good and they’re relatable, so the players
sync with the music. I’m pretty cool too, but I
strive to write music that is easy to play without
being shallow or unimaginative. We are all
in sync with the music and the music is an
extension of me.”
What advice would you have for someone
pursuing their musical career?
The kind of advice I give would depend on the
person to whom I’m giving the advice. For me
though, a general rule is to be as brutally honest
with yourself as possible. This industry chews
up and spits out a lot of people. It sells a lot of
dreams and someone will be more than happy
to exploit your insecurities. Brutal honesty
makes a lot of things transparent and it can
really help you navigate through the confusion
and noise.”