What inspired this album, and how does it represent your personal journey over the past few years?
All of my albums are inspired by my life experiences. This album was very reflective for me as I have been focusing on being more OPEN to change, ideas and the world around me. By disarming myself, I feel like my creativity was able to flourish and it was very inspiring.
You mention wanting to open yourself up to new ideas and perspectives. How has that influenced your music and composition process?
Good question. I think it has made me approach music from a more natural and relaxed point of view. Sometimes composing can feel forced and when that happens, the music suffers. This album came about very organically which I think added depth to the stories.
What was your approach to composing this album? Did you have a particular theme in mind when creating each piece?
My compositions are very “of the moment”, meaning something has to inspire me to write. By opening myself up and approaching this over a longer period, I think was able to give myself the room with which to create these amazing songs.
The album features a Steinway S Grand Piano—what drew you to this specific piano, and how did it shape the sound of the album?
This is the same piano I have recorded all of my albums on. I really enjoy the sound of a Steinway in the studio, and the S is a very controllable size piano for me.
Your music falls into the solo piano and new age genres. Are there any artists or composers who have particularly influenced your style?
I have been inspired by a number of pianists like David Lanz, but George Winston is the pianist that caused me to want to play piano. I taught myself how to play at the age of 12 listening to DECEMBER with a little cassette player and pushing play/rewind until the tape would break!
The tracklist includes titles like Faith, Changes, and Once Upon a Time. Can you share the meaning or inspiration behind one or two of these pieces?
I try not to speak to much on what my songs are about as I really like the listeners to hear the title and the music and make their own stories to them. I can say that FAITH is exactly what is sounds like and is my hope for a better tomorrow for all of us.
Girl in the Painting is an intriguing title—what’s the story behind this piece?
Ok, I’ll talk about this one. We have a painting in our house given to us by my wife’s grandfather and it so beautiful and haunting at the same the time, that I wrote that song as the background to what I think the woman’s life would have been like. It’s difficult to describe, but I write music as though the subject is a film and I can see the story unfold as I write.
You worked with producer Matt Holmes and other creatives like Karla Colahan and Nelson Hill. How did these collaborations shape the final product?
These three are the best and I have done all of my albums with them. I can compose, but they help bring it all to life and I am eternally grateful for their friendship and talent.
Wild Sound Recording Studio was your choice for recording. What made it the right space for this project?
They are my go-to studio to record. Matt is amazing, and it’s as if I am recording with my brother in my living room. Very comfortable and very easy.
This album is about self-awareness and inner peace. What do you hope listeners take away from it?
Hopefully people are able to listen and reflect on their lives and the paths they have chosen. Challenging ourselves to look beyond our comfort zones can be very liberating and hopefully this album challenges people to do that and to find peace in their lives.
