Music

This is my place to share the musical projects I’ve worked on or am still working on. Some tracks are in progress, and a few may never be “finished”, and that’s fine with me. As much as I love performing and sharing music, I’ve always enjoyed the process of writing and recording the most. For me, when it comes to music, the journey is more important than the destination.

Music has always been a big part of my life, and in many ways, it’s in my blood. Growing up, my dad and his family traveled across the United States playing and singing gospel music. Although my musical style is quite different, I’ve always felt they laid the groundwork for my musical journey, which I’m sharing here with you.

That’s why I’m taking a different approach: putting works-in-progress out there. They may be incomplete or imperfect, but I hope you’ll still find them enjoyable to listen to.

Forest Strings

Forest Strings is a simple love song, which borders on naive. It taps into a childlike, reckless faith that love can last forever. Call it foolish, call it bold.

Lyrics

VERSE 1
"All in" doesn't mean we've got it easy
Gotta work with what we've got even when it's not a lot
Call it foolish, call it bold to take a hand that I can't fold
But if I lose it all will you be there to break my fall?

VERSE 2
For every time I say you’re beautiful, I think it 40 more
Pulling strings inside my heart like you’re assembling a chord
It might look a little different, might never be enough
But everything I have belongs to you, including all my love

CHORUS 1
Because I'll always love you

VERSE 3
Let it never be a question, it never is for me
When I close my eyes and picture perfect, you’re the one I see

CHORUS 2
Because I'll always love you
I said it and I meant it

Far from the Tree

I always imagined Far From the Tree as the first song on an album. It portrays a sense of regret for not living up to my own expectations. This track leans heavily on autumnal themes, referencing the "ill-fated trees" and their bruised and damaged fruits. Growing up in Upstate New York, Autumn is incredibly sentimental to me, and I was always fascinated with the juxtaposition of the most beautiful time of year, which gives way to a long, frigid season of death.

Lyrics

VERSE 1
How could I fall so far from the tree?
Trying to hide but your roots go so deep
You say you love me but I can’t believe
One so great could have love for one so weak

VERSE 2
Though great the fall, I watched you watch me
Unripe and bruised in the mid-autumn breeze
Watch my life change with the ill-fated trees
Dangerously close to the earliest freeze

Faults

I first recorded Faults back in 2021 after spending a long time away from recording and writing music. I remember feeling refreshed coming back to recording after so much time. I also remember getting in trouble for trying to record vocals while my wife was alseep in the next room over. That might seem like a frivolous detail, but it's actually quite relevant to the theme of this song. This was my first time recording music as a married man; a noisy married man in a tiny apartment. The lyrics of the song reflect the transition from a young man to a dedicated husband, and the challenges that come with growing up.

Musically, this song channels some very nostalgic artists from my past, including The Beach Boys, Relient K, Weezer, and The Strokes.

Lyrics

VERSE 1
Two days alone And I’ll take my time
By the end of this weekend I’ll be a hero in your eyes
I know I told you that I’m trying to be a better man
I just need to get my hands on something that can reel me in

PRE CHORUS 1
So many things I know I should but don’t want to start
I’m still trying to live the way that I did when we were still apart

CHORUS
I’m waiting on a wake up call (the day I’ll finally wake up)
You’re waiting on me too

VERSE 2
In my mind
There’s a tunnel that takes what I sense and makes it come alive
The walls collapsed when I was a child
But I didn’t know that road was closed ‘til I was 25

PRE CHORUS 2
How can I see things clear with a pair of selective eyes?
I’m losing sight of what we need and I’m just wasting time

CHORUS
I’m waiting on a wake up call (the day I’ll finally wake up)
You’re waiting on me too

Wretched

Thematically, Wretched is a song about being a wretched, black-hearted sinner. Many of the themes are inspired by Romans chapter 7, in which the author Paul is admitting that he can't do the "good" he wants to do. "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." (Romans 7:15)

Musically, this song draws inspiration from some of my most formative musical influences, such as Blink 182, Alkaline Trio, and other punk/pop-punk bands of that era.

Lyrics

VERSE 1
So what then, should I say? I’m a law breaker, I’m a disgrace
I’m acting in opposition. The next day reality kicks in.
If you see the flaws within me, and the evidence looks damning,
will justice condemn me?

CHORUS
‘Cause I can’t do the good I want.
And I can’t live up to the law.
If everything I do is wrong,
I’m wretched, dead in the flesh and
who will rescue me?

VERSE 2
Impatient, complacent. Want Heaven, but I’m Hell bent.
Contracted a sickness. A feeling that I can’t kick this.
There’s a conflict within me. What I planned against what I’m doing.
Do you see the good within me?

BRIDGE 1
If effort is counted
My life reflects my progress
If I chase what I think will help
The end’s only as good as the plans I made myself

BRIDGE 2
You’re life, you’re love
It’s dark but I feel your power
I’m dead I’m lost
My blood it starts to flow again
And I can see my home ahead
You’re life, you’re love
I’m dead and lost