How would you describe your sound?
With soulful lyrics and gritty guitar riffs, my music reflects the folk rock California sound of places like Laurel Canyon and San Francisco to a modern era.
When did you first become interested in playing music?
As a young kid I was inspired by shows like High School Musical, Glee, and The Voice. But the real inspiration came when I started busking outside Caffe Trieste in North Beach and people loved my songs.
What’s the strangest or funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at a show?
A woman told me after a show once that I brought her out of menopause. I guess that’s a compliment.
What are you listening to these days?
I’m continually digging up old Bob Dylan tracks I’ve never heard. But recently I’ve been listening to Shakey Graves, Jack White, and Lana Del Rey.
What does music mean to you?
To quote David Bowie: my “doorway of perception and the house that I live in”
San Francisco is full of music history. Who are some San Francisco musicians who inspired you?
I grew up hanging in North Beach where Johnny Nitro was a kingpin. The affectionately titled “King of North Beach” was close friends with my mom and he even is referenced in my song “Apartment 713” about the North Beach scene. I also was inspired by three great SF blues musicians Tommy Castro (who’s another family friend and I’ve opened for him several times at shows), Harvey Mandel (I used to be a guest vocalist at his shows when I was 15/16), and Daniel Castro. And then let’s not forget Pete Sears, I had the chance to play with him in Harvey’s band as well. And everyone says I remind them of John Cipollina — and hey, that’s not a bad thing!
What’s the biggest challenge in becoming a musician today?
Being a full time musician means spending an inordinate amount of time booking and promoting shows as well as marketing yourself on a vastly saturated social media landscape, and somehow you must also squeeze in that whole playing and writing good music aspect.
What are some of your favorite Bay Area music venues?
Savoy Tivoli, Club Fugazi, Moe’s Alley, Club Fox, Music City, August Hall (I haven’t played there yet, but I will.)
Where do you like to get creative in San Francisco?
North Beach will always be a part of my creative soul — try not to feel inspired walking down Green St at dusk. But a few other spots that sometimes I strum my guitar at: Palace of Fine Arts, Alta Plaza Park, Ina Coolbrith Park, Ferry Building. Also, whenever I’m recording at Hyde St Studios I can feel the mojo of legends that have recorded hits between its walls.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to find out about you?
I was an All Star baseball player as a kid.
Is there anything you’d like to plug?
On Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. I am playing my one year album anniversary show at Music City SF for As It Turns Out. My band will be playing my fourth album start-to-finish, screen a new music video filmed around the city during the set break, and play a set of unreleased songs that fans have been excited to hear on my new project.
