Tell us about how you fell in love with music when you were younger and the artists who influenced you to pick up the trumpet, and later the guitar.

In 6th grade I really wanted to play the bari sax. Like most 6th graders, I had small hands and the band teacher asked me how tall my dad was—I guess to see if I would grow into it. I told them my dad was four feet tall, haha! He’s really six feet tall, but I had no idea as a kid. So they moved me to trumpet since they didn't expect me to grow much more.

I excelled at trumpet, and then got really interested in bass. In 8th grade, I locked myself in my room one weekend and learned every song on the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Californication” album. I loved the visceral feeling of playing the lead lines on trumpet and slapping bass lines!

My junior year in college I began playing guitar and writing songs. I was really prolific and I’ve lost track of the number of songs I’ve written and created (it’s well over a thousand).

John Mark McMillan and Jon Bellion have been my single greatest artist/songwriting influences.

What are some things that inspire your creativity as a producer when developing new music?

The message and intention of a song really fuels my creative fire, then reinforcing that message with the music and production. A large part of my process is child-like creativity: not being afraid to explore an idea, and having fun every step of the way.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very often frustrated when finishing songs, haha! But I make an effort to allow the joy of creation to flow through me.

We're huge fans of your new single "Just Like That"; how did you connect with Ajai Janaye who is featured on the song, and what was the vibe like in the recording studio when working on it?

I approached Ajai after a local artist showcase and got her contact info. I pitched a ballad I was writing, and I could tell that she wasn’t feeling it, haha. After working via email and scrapping the ballad, I suggested we meet up at my studio and create something from scratch together.

That first session was really special because the ideas started flowing immediately while we were building the track and writing. After a couple hours, we had everything except a second verse. We had a few other sessions after that—tidying up the mix and finalizing the vocals. I remember it being a lot of fun, and at the end of the song you can hear me scream and Ajai laughing. I decided to leave that in the final master because of the pleasant memories from working on the song.

Can we expect a music video for "Just Like That", and will it be featured on an upcoming EP or album?

We had a photo shoot at a local Cuban restaurant, but there’s no plans for a music video (unless I get flooded by requests!). I’m finishing up an EP right now, but “Just Like That” is truly a stand-alone single.

What do you look for in the artists that you decide to collaborate with on new music?

I approach relationships in the industry, first, as friendships and my goal after every session is to leave in a better place, relationally, than where we started. People are more important than things!

I look for people whose strengths differ from my own, and who take the process as seriously as I take it. I really push and challenge myself, and it can be challenging to meaningfully collaborate if someone doesn’t show up with the same motivation as you.

With "Just Like That" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2020?

I am sitting on a lot of music and I’m focusing on growing my audience and fans. I’m a former research scientist, and I also started a podcast discussing science, culture, and music (The AMM Podcast).

I’m very excited about an EP I’m finishing entitled “PRIDE” that I’m planning to release early next year. Thank you!

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