Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest album, and what themes or
stories you aimed to convey through your music?

My latest album, Back to Me, is a compilation of songs that were written to help process different emotionally turbulent times in my life. The album is an expression of the healing process and aims to connect with people on a deeper level. Although everyone has their own specific stories and ways they express their feelings, we all share the same core emotions, and to vulnerably express those through song can help others to not feel so alone in theirs. Healing can be an intense and lonely experience at times, so goal of this album is to express a bit of my own journey, and hopefully resonate with others on a soul level.

Music often has the power to transport people to different places and times. Can you
describe a moment in your life when a particular song or album had a profound impact
on you?
Music is like a time capsule and can relay such nostalgia for a time you may have never even been to. I feel transported with so many different types of music, but particularly Celtic, bluegrass, or classics from the 30’s to 50’s. Lately I have been really connecting with older country/bluegrass music. It holds some deep longing for me, and whenever I listen to it, I feel like I am taken back to a time that my soul longs to experience.
I recently drove over 10k miles around the country and felt the energy of this music in the Apalachin and Blue Ridge Mountains. When I was in North Carolina I was gifted a ticket to see Willie Nelson live. When he performed his songs, I felt transported. Something about the beautiful simplicity of his music cut straight to my heart. The entire audience of thousands were singing his songs together and it brought tears to my eyes. Willie’s music, along with others in that era, are currently having a big impact on my life and my writing style.

Many artists have rituals or routines they follow before performing or recording. Do you have any unique or quirky pre-show or pre-recording rituals that you find help you get in the zone?

The only thing that I do regularly before every performance, on stage or in the studio, is a vocal warmup routine. When I was on The Voice, our vocal coach (not the famous coaches that were televised) gave us a virtual folder of vocal warmups to do before we sang. Before I was on that show, I didn’t warm up, I just relied on my natural abilities. I found that by creating a routine of warming up, my voice has gotten exponentially better – my range has increased, and my control has gotten even better. I am able to sing more stylistically and comfortably, not to mention I am hitting notes that are higher than ever before. I am so grateful for these vocal warmups, and I still use those same ones from The Voice before every performance to get me ready. This routine has been a game changer!

Your lyrics often tell a story or convey a message. Can you share the story behind one of your songs and the inspiration that led to its creation?

A song from my recently released album is called One More Time Around. I wrote this a couple years ago on my birthday – I decided to write a song for myself that expressed the journey I had been on that previous year and some of the ways that I had grown. That was the year I was on The Voice, so it was quite a year of intense experience and expansion.
The song weaves a tale of ambition, using the metaphor of seeing a mountain in the distance and wondering what it would be like to be on top…smelling the air, the wildflowers, the grass way up there; Starting your journey, taking one step and then the next, but remembering to stop a while under the trees. The chorus of the song explores the different animal signs/symbols that were prominent for me during that year, and what they helped to teach me.
Be wise says the owl, be honest in your knowing
Be faithful says the rabbit, you’re loving and you’re growing
Be light as a feather upon the wind that’s blowing
And bend like the snake who sees what you aren’t showing

If you could curate a music festival with a lineup of your dream artists, who would be the headliners, and what would the theme of the festival be?
Hmm.. I would create a broad-genre lineup. For the headliners I’d say: Brandi Carlile, Alanis Morrisette, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson. With guest appearance by Dido and Norah Jones! I would have a hard time narrowing down the headliners. These artists are all big influences on me. It would be so fun to see them live and collaborate with them.
It would be a classic mix of down to earth artists and wonderful songwriters. I often get compared to Brandi, Alanis, Dido and Norah, so it would be fun for us all to play at the same festival. I have actually heard Alanis and Willie collaborate on tracks and shows together, so it’s not too far from reality! It would be a festival where Americana meets the 90’s!

Music can be a powerful tool for advocacy and change. Are there any social or political causes that you’re passionate about, and how does your music play a role in promoting these issues?

I try to keep politics or any strong dividing opinions out of my music. I believe music to be a space to unite humanity. I really respect and admire Dolly Parton for the way she has shaped her career, and has never identified with one side particularly, which has allowed her audience to be very broad – a safe space for people of all genders, colors, and political sides. Throughout my whole life I have felt like a peacemaker or neutral party, and that seems to translate to my songs. If I had to choose something that my music represents and tries to promote, it would be love, emotional authenticity, and healing. That is my social cause. 😉

The music industry has evolved significantly with technology. How do you see artificial
intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the creation and distribution of music in the future?
I think that the emerging technologies are beneficial, yet also a hinderance to the industry – a double edged sword, like most things in life. It is helpful in the realm of distribution and getting your music heard globally and by more ears as an independent artist, but it also floods the industry with so many people trying to do the same thing that it can make it harder to stand out.
The evolution of technology also helps people to create better quality recordings and better replications of live performances. Although there is a classic charm to the more analog style of recording that really calls to me.
I think AI has its place but cannot replace true art. AI is a great tool for different aspects of the industry, but I don’t feel that it can replicate the depth of soul required to connect with people’s hearts. It could perhaps get a little confusing as time goes on to know what is created by AI and what isn’t… I think it’ll come down to the authenticity and honesty of the artist. Personally, I wouldn’t use AI in my music, because I want it to have more of a raw feel and feel proud of what I created.
The future is unclear as technology develops… We’ll see what happens!

Many recording artists evolve over time. How do you see your musical journey changing and growing in the next decade?

I love to see how the evolution of people’s art follows their own journey of change and growth – I personally write and perform many styles of music, so I think that I will continue to explore these genres and more. I am currently performing and writing rock/blues/pop, folk/americana, and jazz/rock/fusion… The jazz genre is the newest for me and fun to explore.
I have been really drawn lately to old country and bluegrass music and would love to explore more of that genre – learn more about the culture of which it came and really get into that style. I am also drawn to learn more about Celtic music – the culture, chord progressions, and how to implement small stylistic choices into my writing and singing.
I am always growing and changing, so it will be interesting to see how my music will evolve as times goes on. I am unable to do only one thing, I’ll get too bored, so I like my career to be a bit of a charcuterie board!