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Dr. Ford - Lyric Video
On July 9th, 2018 President Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during high school. Three other women also accused him of sexual misconduct. One woman recanted. Kavanaugh denied all accusations. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a supplemental hearing over Ford's allegations. Despite nation-wide protests, on October 6, 2018, the full Senate confirmed Kavanaugh's nomination by a vote of 50–48.…
The Song Ryan Adams, R. Kelly, and Dr. Christine Ford Have in Common
A song I wrote during Dr. Ford's Senate Judicial hearings got a new layer of meaning with the news of Ryan Adams and R. Kelly this week...
6 Reasons Why a Song is The Greatest Gift You'll Ever Give
One of my favorite parts of my job as a musician is writing songs for people. No, not for the greater public to enjoy via Spotify or at a house concert of mine, although I love that too.
My favorite part of being a songwriter is held in the remainder of this post. But for those of you anxious for me to get to the point, it's this: a commissioned song will be the greatest gift you'll ever give (unconditional love not withstanding.)
Anniversaries, birthdays, career milestones, family reunions, …
Concert Window: Songs in a Stairwell (aka to the Moon and Back!)
For the past 2 weeks, I've had the honor of doing a little mini artist residency up here in Seattle. So yesterday I took advantage of the perfect lighting and acoustics in a stairwell by *almost* spontaneously giving a little concert via the killer website, Concert Window!
These shows are always so crazy. It blows my mind that I can press a couple buttons and send myself to the moon and back down for ANYONE, ANYWHERE to see! If you've never experienced a show via Concert Window, they're super c…
New Song: Little Bit
Alternative Blog Post Title:
"I Don't Have Time To Write Songs for a Kids Album!
...Or Do I?"
I've got a lot going on these days - writing a book and getting ready to release a new album. As part of raising funds to release this album, I've set an album pre-order level for anyone to commission an original or cover song.
It turns out, when you're across the country from your sister who just had her second child, the overwhelming urge to write a song is too hard to deny. Earlier this week I ha…
All The Kick-Ass Bands Represented on "Velveteen"
So the idea to pull together a little playlist of all the bands represented by the musicians who play on Velveteen just came to me the other day. LITTLE DID I KNOW, this playlist would become one of my. favorite. playlists.
It just further illustrates how stinkin' lucky we all are (you too!) to have this group of musicians on this album.
I have such talented friends on this album. They ALL do such kick-ass stuff and partake of so much awesome music here in Seattle.
Here's a list of just…
A Song About Online Dating
Yep. That's right.
A song about all the types of guys you'll find while online dating, written by yours truly.
If I'm being honest I've been working on this song for the last 10 years during my 5 bouts of 'being online.' I've gone on sooo many first dates with all types of guys. Most of them were really lovely and I love getting to meet new people.
However. There's a lot of sorting and culling through some strangeness out there before that first date happens.
I started noticing some trend…
Must-Have Christmas Albums for 2015
So, I've been listening to Christmas music since October...
and I can't tell you how excited I was to get an early start on all the Holiday bliss this year.
Getting ideas for Midwinter Midnight, Vol. 1's track list meant I was voraciously listening to a myriad of different versions of each song. I've turned that research list into my final selections for 2015's favorite Christmas music. That Spotify playlist is here and below.
[Spotify users: If you don't follow me yet, why not?! I have o…
Why I Pinched Myself 20 Times Yesterday...
There's a reason business managers spend a lot of time on the subject of hiring - The people you surround yourself with can either make or break you.
Headphones. Check. Americano. Check. Drums. Check. Let's go!
Eric "Cool Fingers, Brah" Howk
These songs are already so much more alive than I could've ever imagined, it's hard for me to imagine how much better things could get with the remainder of this week.
Toms at an octave! Aaron at a 10.
I must've pinched myself like 20 times yeste…
I Made a World! Announcing Cello Yoga's "Ebb & Flow"
I'm so excited!
On December 20th, only 2 days from now, my ambient cello music project called Cello Yoga releases it's first studio album...
Ebb & Flow is a 90-minute exploration of water's movement, 8 tracks of delicious cello-ness matching the rise and fall of a yoga class.
For the past couple years, I've been playing cello and composing live in yoga classes. It's been such an enriching experience for me. I learn something about music, something about bodies, and some…