I started writing when I was 17. I got an acoustic guitar for my birthday after I discovered Bob Dylan and James Taylor.
Because of our situation, God has given us an opportunity to almost transcend our gender, which gives us a vision and sensitivity that other people don’t have. They think that being white and male is going to save the world; but life is not The Lion King.
I want to build a treehouse village connected by bridges in the woods by my house so my friends have a place to stay.
Even before I started writing songs, that was one of my goals to be a writer, and I still have that goal. I’ve just gotten sidetracked.
When I was 17 I got a guitar for my birthday and started discovering Bob Dylan and James Taylor and the whole ’60s thing, and that made me want to make songs, to go beyond just playing an instrument. I needed to write I guess.
I don’t really believe in plans. They only change. My goal is simply to be able to make music and live life in this crazy, falling-apart world.
You have to have a vision and know that it’s worth seeing it through. Other than that, just be true to your heart.
I do what works best for me, but it might not work for somebody else.
There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem to be born out of that, and the fact that it’s still a mystery to me is my favorite part.
There’s a weird period of learning how to play guitar where your fingers are constantly messed up a handful.
I took piano and drum lessons when I was young, and took a lot of choir classes in high school. Beyond that I just play by ear and learn as I go.
The people of Iowa are a rare breed.
Inspiration comes from everywhere always. But it’s strongest in love and in its absence.
I think every tour stop on the west coast is equally rewarding for me. There is something healing about the air and the light in the west.
On tour I’m finding out that I am half gypsy, 40% vagabond, and 10 house cat.
I love writing and photography and the natural world that inspires them both. I’m working on getting as lost as I can in the beauty before it is completely wiped clean by the madness of man.
I really think that people are getting fed up with the computer generated music. I think it had a little time where it was new and it kind of worked, but it’s so overdone that people are getting sick of it, and are turning back to real music.