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

My last album – “Sorry, Your Alma Mater Sucks” is inspired by systemic educational abuse. I drew lines in the sand when I wrote that album. It is also inspired by themes of Survival, of Insomnia, of Heartbreak, A midnight drive to Colorado, rebellion and being different.

I never got to graduate from college, and was abused by one simultaneously – if not – a system of them – in my home state. It is a long story in and of itself – but goes back to me being 12 and working as a concessions vendor for the state’s premier College – at their football games.

The fact that I was able to be employed by the university system – indirectly – conveniently to disconnect the university from the responsibility of their underage employee pool.

When I went to the organization responsible for my employment – I was met with resistance – and only a few years later – they revealed they erased employment records of minors working for the university indirectly through this organization.

My whole world was turned upside down by the damage done to my body working for the university system indirectly. So much damage was done to my body I was not able to finish college – and thus feel cheated – even more so by my family – who obtained a settlement in my name – and used that settlement to obtain houses.

5 houses I don’t get to live in. 5 houses I don’t get to own. They – only then – declared me better – in court. I uncovered that incredibly likely possibility in house records and home ownership histories and background checks, online.

I found proof of 5 brain conditions in my neurology – not just one. Because the states of Colorado and Wisconsin both have notable collegiate systems – I landed on the title I landed on. Both states – and the federal government missed my abuse for many, many years.

Love is also a theme on the record, as is apathy of rejection.

“Loving me until I’m dead but never calling me again” – Is a line about being on a hold of sorts – by my parents who refuse to let go of me – and also refuse to love or visit me. It’s been years since I have seen either of them.

The Song – “Your Heart Didn’t Break My Soul” – Is about late nights – stumbling home from friend’s houses in the midwest, drunk and tired. The song touches on coping with being in ones own body after a trauma.…And while I don’t partake in coke – I did enjoy writing a song that embodies angst in the lyrics themselves.

The album was written this past year and opens with the concept of time passing me by. As I wither.

Wasting time in staying stuck as the abuse has continued to occur has been paramount to surviving and staying out of the trouble my parents want me to be in.

They want me in trouble – so they can claim my birth right disability benefits – behind my back – without me. They’ve proven this plot – because of repeated false claims about my brain having mental health based problems. This is because they are leveraging mental health stigma against me – to infantilize and abuse me further. While I struggle alone – without much relief from my neurological symptoms – which is the opposite of what mental health is – but still involves the brain.

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?

Anything Alt Rock on the charts has done well – and plays well to me. I feel transported by music that hits me with profound lyrics – a good chord progression and a new type of beat.

Bands like The Maine, and The Dangerous Summer, The Summer Set, and Taking Back Sunday always change the vibe for me. Artists like Yungblud And David Gray and John The Ghost also inspire me greatly. The acts I mention – always have a point to make or a story to tell. Blink-182 just dropped a new record as well – and I feel nostalgia – especially when I hear Anthem Part 3 – Which is brand new – yet reminiscent of the nostalgia I have for Anthem Part 1 & Anthem Part 2.

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?

I used to drink hot tea with liquor before singing. I don’t drink much anymore. I would say taking a hot bath and having hot tea.

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?

Afraid of Anything is about overcoming obstacles that are life threatening. My parents are an absolute danger to me and my livelihood. Being around them is dangerous to me and for me. The chorus in that track is one of bravery and overcoming via apathy. Serenity is similar to apathy, So I got to a better spot than I was before by chasing apathy first.

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?

It would feature alt rock and alternative pop acts – like if it were 2003 again and Warped got bought out by some parent company. I would simply curate something like that. I would base it off of my Spotify analytics for which artists I listen to most. Lol.

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 am hoping for conversion therapy to be outlawed in the US.

Expanding Reproductive rights as well.

Finding creative ways to end human trafficking – or simply blowing the whistle when I find a problem and have a solution for that issue.

I also abhor homelessness. It isn’t easy being empathetic to an apathetic world. However – that is very much the reality of right now. It is being perpetuated and sustained in tax codes, and income brackets. People would care about worldly issues if the world cared about them back, but that would require a societal safety net of sorts – which isn’t in existence at the moment for many.

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 see optimization as an option that artists should delve into and AI is one of the best tools to maintain that efficiency. Anything from ticketing to album sales could potentially be done via NFT in the future. Or On the Blockchain

I use AI tools from Ozone to Neutron to finish my mixes and master my final tracks. I know how to mix. It just takes too long to get to the right answer. I do my best on my own and finish with AI usually. I have heard of AI conducting recently – which sounds fascinating and I would like to learn more about that.

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

I will probably focus heavily on photography and journalism for a bit. And then come back to music when I have more to say. It May be a bit though.