About Me

Background

I grew up in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Utah to go to school at BYU. While in school, I owned and managed an all ages music venue/recording studio called Muse Music Cafe in Provo. I sold the business in 2011 and went back to school at the University of Utah to get an MBA. I'm married to the amazing Melissa Haws, who also plays in my folk rock band, Adding Machines. We have two kids, Zoe (age 4) and Ethan (age 2). In addition to being a music fanatic, I also like racquetball, running triathlons, and snow skiing.


Music History

Made in the Shade (1998-2001)
This was first band, of which I sang and played guitar. I started the band as a high school freshman with guitarist Kyle Brunette, who was a mutual friend of Brandon Bee (who later joined the band as our drummer/producer for a little while). We started out playing pop/rock, recorded some demos, and played a few shows sporadically. Eventually we settled on a line up with included classmates Jordan Tybon (bass) and Noah Burns (drums). Our sound progressed to something more of an Emo/Prog/Power Pop sound in the vein of Sunny Day Real Estate, Hum, Weezer, Tool and Super Deluxe. In 2000, we recorded a self-titled, full length CD with Brandon Bee. The next year, in 2001, we followed up the Fighting Fools EP (recorded by our friend, TJ Nokleby), which feature new versions of some songs off the album, as well as some new songs. Altogether, we played somewhere around 50 shows in the Seattle/Tacoma area and got regular airplay on KGRG 89.9 (the GRCC station), with the song "Daydream". Our run ended when we all graduated in 2001 and I moved to Utah to go to school at BYU.

Declaration (2001-2002, 2005-2008)
I started Declaration my freshman year at BYU through a posting on a bulletin board. The first lineup included myself on vocals/guitar/keyboards, Jon Hall on bass, and Jon Thatcher on drums. Our first year, we played about 20 shows around Provo and recorded a 4 song demo. After our first run, we took a hiatus while Jon Hall and myself served 2-year missions (Jon Thatcher had already served a mission). After returning from our missions, Jon Hall and I got back together in 2005 and filled out the new lineup with Jake Cox on guitar, and Dan Smock on drums (Jon Thatcher had since graduated and moved away). Our sound was indie rock; influenced by bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, the Pixies, and Ben Folds. in 2006, we released our debut album, "Panic Button" which we recorded ourselves at the Muse Recording Studio. In 2008, we followed up with "Technology EP", which we also self recorded/released. During our span, we played around 50 shows, including opening for Menomena, the Appleseed Cast, 31knots, Neon Trees, and Half-handed Cloud. We played our last show in 2008 when Jake Cox, Jon Hall, and myself all graduated.   

Adding Machines (2008-present)
After Declaration ended and I returned to Utah after a brief internship in New York City, I reconvened with Dan Smock (drummer from Declaration) and formed Adding Machines, along with my wife, Melissa Haws (who plays bass, guitar, trumpet, and sings). This band features a folk rock/alt-country sound; a departure from my previous projects. Our influences include the Shins, Wilco, Neil Young, CSNY, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and the Decemberists. During our performances, we tend to have guest musicians rotate into the lineup to change up the arrangements, which include pedal steel, mandolin, trumpet and fiddle. We released our first recording, the "Sweet Dreams EP" in 2009. In 2010, we added frequent guest musician, Matt Weidauer, to the lineup as a permanent member, playing guitar, mandolin, and singing. We released a full length album, "Death & Taxes" in 2011. We've done numerous performances around the Provo/SLC area, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Sego Arts & Music Festival. 

Other Musical Interests
Throughout the years, I've also been involved in numerous musical activities outside of my main bands. First I grew up taking piano lessons for about 5 years. Through school, I've played violin in the orchestra (1994-2001), piano in the high school jazz band (1998-2001), sang in the BYU Men's Chorus (2006-2007), and sang with the BYU vocal jazz ensemble (2007-2008). In 2002, I recorded a solo acoustic CD, which I gave to family and friends to listen to while I was away serving a mission in NYC. I've also written several piano instrumental pieces and solo acoustic guitar pieces that haven't seen the light of day yet but are now being released through the "50 songs in 50 weeks" project. I've also performed with (live or on recordings) of dozens of artists in the Provo area including Matt Weidauer, Archie Crisanto, Neon Trees, James Belliston, Andy Livingston, and many others.