Exclusive Interview with We are Vibrational Beings

When did you first know you wanted to make a life in music?

I must have been around 7 or 8, and my parents had taken the family to Valley Fair, the amusement park about an hour from our house. We saw the local band “The White Sidewalls” perform classic 50’s-60’s music at the amphitheater, and I remember the first song as they came out, where the kick drum was just pounding my chest, and it left such an impression on me, literally shaking my bones, I was hooked, I knew live music would be my future.

How would you describe your music to someone who had never heard it before?

Existential Roots Rock about sums it up. A little early 70’s rock vibe with lyrics contemplating the bigger questions of what this whole life thing is all about. Part of the human experience is always wanting an understanding of what’s going on here. I explore some of my thoughts and contemplations in this record. The whole thing is meant to be an experience, like when you were a kid and your go to the record store and pick something up and take it home, put on your headphones and sit on the floor flipping through the artwork. It’s meant to be listened to in its entirety the first time through. People don’t have that experience anymore and I’ve made this record to be that way so that when you finish the album in an hour, and you think back to the first cut, you feel like you’ve been on a journey.

Who are your top 5 musical influences?

That’s always such a tough question as I’m continually influenced by music to this day. The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan,The Beatles, the beach boys, Bob Marley & Steel Pulse…. I spent a lot of time listening to Golden Oldies as a kid, but I still really dug into things as a teenager from Metallica, Alice in chains & Nirvana to even enjoy Katy Perry and all the Pop girls in the last 15 years.. There’s always something to get from all genres of music, even if just for sonic exposures, but my writing style probably leans more from those first few.

What new music are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in silence, and in nature lately. Less happening in the mind seems to really do wonders for better understanding the human experience.

What city is your home base and what is the music scene like there?

Nashville TN, Music City USA, one of the best scenes in the world. No shortage of incredible musicians and a lot of great people to help bring your songs to life. I’ve been fortunate to work with and have  many friends who are great players. I have some monsters playing on the record; Michael Webb (Chris Stapelton, John Prine) on organ, piano and wurlitzer.

Ed Smoak (Eric Church), on electric guitar and mandolin. Rick Lonow (POCO, The Flying Burrito Brothers) on drums and percussion. Ron Johnson (Gregg Allman band, Warren Haynes band) on Bass guitar, and a handful of other great friends helped me bring this vision to life.

Which do you prefer more, performing live, or recording in the studio, and why?

Live is great, because of the direct connection with an audience, feeding off the crowd’s energy, but the studio offers an opportunity to really paint something in a way that gives room for more subtle nuances to come through. I can’t say I prefer one over the other. The studio helps if I’m feeling a bit more of the introvert side and just need the space to myself.

Is there a song on your latest release that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?

I find this changes from day to day, and maybe that’s why this record means a lot to me. It covers a vast array of emotions and contemplations, different sonic and musical experiences that I go through. Today, I’d say that the song, “Everybody’s Waiting” is sitting out front.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? 

Tom Petty in Minneapolis in 1998. Maybe it was the crowd induced haze or maybe it was just the unending list of incredible tunes and showmanship that was going on, but there was something magical about that evening. I recall they had really jammed out the ending of a song to almost unrecognizable noise and the room went dark, and single spot light picked up Tom opening a pirates chest that exploded with light as he pulled out the mad hatters hat and they kicked into “Don’t come around here no more”

If you could collaborate with any band or artist (living or dead) who would it be, and why? 

I think Pink Floyd would be a great collaboration. I have some psychedelic leanings, and they have a wide variety of textures and frameworks that they move through easily. I think that would likely help me bring more of that to my work. There’s definitely a few psychedelic pieces on this album, I think Floyd fans would find comfort there.

What are your goals for the future? 

I have another album in the works in my head right now, I”m up to about 9 tunes that are flushed out that I think will make the cut and few more in the finishing phases, so I hope to get in and track those tunes later this year.

I’m always writing essays and musings on more existential subjects. Just finished up on one called “Eternity isn’t Forever”. People can find those writings and new music at wavb.life.

Thanks for your time.

End of Interview