Feel The Word Magazine

I’ve always been a musician. I started playing piano and clarinet at an early age. I discovered the guitar at age 13 and there was no turning back. It became like an addiction as much as an identity. I was just lucky enough to turn it into my job. I don’t know if it’s as much love as it’s a compulsion. I can’t not do it!

Yeah, I pull out the clarinet from time to time. I’m always playing some piano as well. I play mandolin and a little bit of banjo as well. I also play bass. I like the guitar the best. It’s what I’m best at.

3.) I know that you teach guitar in addition to performing and recording. What aspects of the music business and the art do you enjoy most?

I enjoy touring a lot, but it starts to exhaust you. I love working in the studio and creating sounds. Making mistakes that turn out to be great creative leaps. I also love teaching guitar. Teaching keeps me engaged with my main outlet of creativity. By teaching it I have to rethink the instrument every day. I love that.

Yeah, I grow all of the time. I feel like I’m constantly getting better and learning. If I didn’t grow I would get bored and probably move on to something else.

5.) You’ve worked with people like Aqualung, Sara Bareilles and Joshua Radin, among others. How did you end up involved with so many different artists? Do you enjoy interacting with them? Why?

90% of my job is comunication. If I couldn’t communicate with a musician and make them feel comfortable with what I’m doing, I wouldn’t work. Sure, I can play pretty well, but I’m also the guy that can get the result without too much struggle. I think that’s the trick. Then there’s the Hotel Cafe…..that’s the place where I drink with the fools you just mentioned. I guess I’m a good drinker too.

Yeah…it’s totally a part of it. I’m always emailing, calling or texting my musician friends to see what they’re up to. It’s not a calculated thing, but it’s a way to stay on top of things. It’s just what you do. It’s also a great way to hear some amazing stories.

7.) How do you feel you contribute to the indie scene and music overall?

Hmmmmm …… I guess I just try to play as honestly as I can. I’m here to serve the music and hopefully make something real. I hope that my enthusiasm for what I do rubs off on other people. I’ve been inspired by other people a lot….maybe I’ve inspired somebody the same way? That would be cool.

One of the perks of doing what I do is meeting some amazing people. I love seeing familiar faces in cities when I come through town. It makes me feel at home. I’ve certainly taught several "fans." I’ll teach anybody that wants to learn….as long as they’re not crazy!

9.) Would you ever consider signing with another band that has chosen to go with a large record label, rather than staying with Procrastination? Please explain.

I’m not signed to anybody. That’s the joy of being a freelance guy. I work closely with Cary, but there’s no obligation other than our loyalty for each other. I have worked with many other major label artists (Sara Bareilles, Rachael Yamagata, Josh Radin, Aqualung, Pete Yorn, etc…)but these days being a major label artist doesn’t mean the band is living the good life. Budgets are smaller. Profits lower, etc…If Paul McCartney called me tomorrow and asked me to go on tour, I think Cary would understand!

10.) You must enjoy working with Cary Brothers. Did you give much input for the new album or was it more of a one-man show?

Cary and I have been friends since college. The majority of the record was a 3 man operation. Cary, Chad Fischer and Me. There’s a lot of me on that record simply because I was always in the room when we were tracking. I also play a lot of the guitar and bass. We have a pretty good system going. Cary has pretty strong ideas going in. If he can’t play something, I pick up the slack. Along the way there’s lots of little ideas and parts that are mine. It’s all a part of serving the song. It’s my favorite thing to do!

11.) Are you satisfied with the new record and the changes that were made to some of the songs that had previously been released on EP’s?

I think it came out great. I’m very happy for Cary and think he should be proud. I know I’m proud of the contributions that I made. I still think that Cary has his best record in front of him. That’s going to be exciting to watch.

12.) Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

I’ve always liked ‘Think Awhile’.

I’m always writing and recording. I co-write with people as well. I’ll probably release something this year. Some of it will be instrumental…some of it songs.