Over the years I’ve sometimes found the energy and discipline to create outside of a separate career, but have long craved more consistent time and space to see where my creativity might lead.
That opportunity came in 2023-2024 when, along with my wife and daughter I took a gap year, something I advocate for in my work with travel and cultural exchange programs. I’m excited for the creative energy this has helped generate for me and would love to share it with you.
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My process
Music is a kind of conversation and I’ve found that this can pose an interesting challenge to a solo artist. When I set out to create something new musically, I’m often only able to “get the conversation started.” I’ll sit down and maybe improvise a bit, and on good days something fairly interesting emerges, an initial thought. I’ll record that thought, sometimes just ten seconds. Later on I’ll listen back to many of these short ideas, as if on the other side of the conversation. A few short recordings from the past will inspire me. They become my work for awhile and I’ll carry those ideas forward.
I’m a pianist first and my process usually starts with a digital piano. If I’m around other gear I may add drums, synthesizers, a kalimba, the sound of a rock rolling across a wooden plank, etc, but as of 2024 I’m traveling with a portable rig based around a Yamaha Reface CP mini keyboard.