Q & A
What was the first album you ever owned on vinyl?
I think the first one I personally owned was David Ramirez’ Fables. My friend Matt was playing keys in his band, we were playing in Denver the same night and I was blown away by the show, that started my vinyl collection.
What have you been listening to lately?
I’m a big Hiss Golden Messenger fan. Also recently discovered Ethan Gruska. Madison Cunningham, Sam Weber, Beck. Willy Nelson’s Teatro record. Jason Isbell. Some of the stuff coming out of the Pacific Northwest is really interesting to me, King Kaleidoscope and Cataldo. I’ve been on a big instrumental, film score type kick for a few years now as well. Jon Brion, Helios, Nils Frahm.
Who is the first artist you remember listening to?
Fred Rogers.
Who is the most interesting/inspiring person you’ve met and why?
My neighbor, Chewy. The rich people out in the Ranch moved his great grandparents to my neighborhood because they didn’t want Mexicans living nearby. His grandfather build the house he lives in for four thousand dollars. Now all the rich white people in the Ranch want to move over by the beach, so he’s selling his house back to them for two million.
Where is your favorite place in the world and why?
Celestino, Mexico during a south swell. Or Big Sur before Big Little Lies.
What is the best live show you’ve seen, and why was it the best?
I saw Bon Iver do a sunrise show in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in 2009. Everybody was asleep in the field. They woke us up with Blindsided. I saw this band called Horsefeathers play for six people in a coffee shop in Couer D’ Alene, Idaho around the same time. It felt like I was in a different world.
What are some things you have to have on the road with you?
Notebooks – I try and journal everyday. A schedule is helpful. I have a Patagonia down jacket with a giant hood, that jacket has saved me more times than I can count from both social and weather related situations.
What is the craziest thing that’s happened to you on the road?
Our bass player quit, walked to the airport in the middle of the night and flew home once, leaving all of his gear in the van.
