hi. I don't particularly like writing about myself so I had AI give me an interview. Here it is:

What's your relationship with music?
I don't know that there was ever a specific moment where I decided this was my path. I've just always loved music, and it has always been a way for me to express feelings and emotions that I couldn't otherwise.

What's the emotional core of your music?
The biggest theme throughout my music is hope. There's a lot of pain being worked through, and also feelings of love, and sometimes anger. But through it all, there is hope.

How would you describe your sound?
I'm not sure which specific genre I fit into. Maybe a hybrid of singer-songwriter/folk/pop? I just like telling a story.

Why music specifically for storytelling?
Expressing my thoughts and feelings aloud to other people can be difficult. Explaining it through music feels a little bit safer for some reason. It also makes me feel incredibly vulnerable. I'm not a strong writer or a talented poet, so just telling things like they are works for me.

Where do your stories come from?
It's a mix of everything. My life has been marked by some very difficult, traumatic and painful experiences. But it's also been full of beautiful moments and relationships. I've experienced deep grief, and absolutely pure joy. But I think you could say that for anybody. So I tell my story, and maybe a lot of people's stories. I also have written love songs in the middle of divorce - which was really weird. They definitely weren't biographical. They were more of a hope for what could be in the future someday.

What does your creative process look like?
It's so hard to force creativity. Sometimes you have to - if you're working on a deadline. But I find that just letting it happen in its own time works the best. For me, a song will either start as a little melody that pops into my head or comes out while I'm playing around on the piano or guitar. Or it will be a line or theme working in my head that will form into a few lyrics and grow from there. Sometimes I'll sit down and write a song in a couple of hours, and sometimes an idea will grow over a couple of weeks or months.

Piano or guitar?
I've always played the piano, and I'm most comfortable with it. But I love the versatility of the guitar - being able to relax on the couch or on my bed while I play without having to focus on much else. I'm not super great on it though - if I knew more chords I think I could create more on it!

Dream collaboration?
Oh dang! This is hard! My immediate thought is Carole King. She's an amazingly talented songwriter and I feel like I could learn so much from her. I have a couple of songs that I'd love for other artists to sing - that's actually my dream. I know I'm not a strong singer, I just really love creating music! I'd love for Ed Sheeran to sing one of my songs. And Lady Gaga - she has a powerful voice.

So why perform your own songs?
A huge part of it is to face my fears. I'm so terrified of looking like a poser - like I don't really belong in this industry. But here's the thing - I think we're meant to create. Whether it's painting, or dance, or spreadsheets... or music. We're meant to create. And if that's what we're meant to do, we weren't meant to hide it. We're meant to share it - in whatever way will bring more joy and hope and beauty to the world. That sounds a little corny but it's how I feel.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Honestly, I have no idea. Because a lot of my music is quite personal, I think the hope is that someone out there might be going through a similar experience where the song might resonate with them. And when you can feel connected to something - even a song - when you're going through something in life, it brings a little hope.

What's next for you?
I'm finishing up my first album, titled "The Seeds of Something Whole." It's a project that I'm producing myself, so very grassroots. The album is basically a journal of the last 5 years of my life. Through divorce, dating, falling in love again, and the death of my parents.

One thing you'd want people to know before they listen?
I'm not a super dramatic person, but I kind of write like I am.

Lightning Round

Coffee or tea?
Mint Tea
Morning person or night owl?
Morning - I love watching the sun rise. BUT - sometimes I just really like sleeping in.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Within the States - somewhere near Monterey California. Otherwise - my heart belongs to Scotland.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Sleep in. Jog or a nice hike. Long bath. Play some music. Binge some TV.
What are you binge-watching right now?
I just started Burn Notice. It's fun but the camera work and effects drive me crazy.
Guilty pleasure food?
M&M's
If you weren't making music, what would you be doing?
Well, I do have a day job. I'm at an aviation school in marketing. I do a lot of data. But my DREAM job is to own a venue for small live performances and recording.
Best concert you've ever been to?
Coldplay
What's always in your bag/pocket?
Some sort of snack
Window seat or aisle seat?
Window
What's a skill you wish you had?
Dancing. I'm so bad at it. Kind of like Elaine on that one episode of Seinfeld.
Book, podcast, or audiobook?
Podcast
Favorite podcast?
Crime Junkie
What's something that makes you laugh every time?
The opening scene of Hot Rod
Do you have any pets?
Nope
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Jeff Goldblum
What's the last thing that made you cry?
Watching all the people finish the New York marathon super late at night. The looks on their faces when they finally finished. I felt so proud of them!!
Mountains or beach?
Beach
What's your karaoke song?
I've only done karaoke once, and did 2 songs: One of Us (Joan Osborne) and Long As I Can See The Light (CCR)
Early 2000s guilty pleasure song?
Bye Bye Bye - NSYNC. Toxic - Britney Spears. Low - Flo Rida.
What's your go-to comfort movie?
The Book of Life
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
I have some interesting experiences I'd rather not share on a public forum.
What's your favorite movie?
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World