So who am I?

Why I am a musician: A love of music (all types) has always impacted my life. Musicians provide avenues for my thoughts, emotions, and development as a person. From an early love for classic bands like U2, James Brown, and the Dave Brubeck Quartet to rummaging the modern music landscape for cutting edge musicians the love of music was thoroughly life changing.

My History: I began playing bass and guitar in high school. The grunge and alternative rock movement predominated the airwaves. I unsuccessfully created a few bands. I spent more time thinking about the music than disciplining myself to create. I dreamed of playing alongside Kurt Cobain, or viewing myself as the next Lou Reed (I just lacked the sunglasses). I quickly put down the bass and focused on the guitar and have been playing ever since (but yes I am a DJ). The guitar taught me discipline, music theory, listening to music with a new appreciation, and learning the basics of performance. Most of all, however, I learned to enjoy my own music. The process of creating music became essential to my life.

After an unsuccessful year of college, I belonged on the road and traveled voraciously across the states. Disillusioned and dissatisfied, the traveling would become an external and internal journey. Truth became my new guide, no matter how hard, blunt, and sharp.

A year later I went back to college, and in a speech class, I volunteered to be an assitant to a classmate speaking on turntablism. I fell in love then and there. With the turntables, not with the classmate. I asked him to teach me everything he knew, and within 6 months I was playing local parties and gigs.

One night, I recieved a call to play a large venue in Charlotte, North Carolina. The show was the next day and it was obvious they were desperate for well.... anyone.

The headliner was DJ RAP, and somehow I was put on the main stage right before her performance.  And somehow I rocked it. She gave me a hug and said "That was great, thanks for getting them in a frenzy for me" in her cool accent.

I was sold.

And DJing became a real part of my life. Within a year I moved to Chicago, began DJing anywhere that would take me and hoped a few bucks might be thrown my way for student loans. I learned the difficult politics of profit in the music business, had shows that were glimpses of heaven, had shows where I wanted to give it all up, watched and observed many of the legendary Chicago DJS, and slowly became a staple in the underground Chicago scene.

With two of my closest friends pursuing DJ careers, DJ Appel (Chicago) and DJ Zane M (San Francisco) the constant criticism and encouragement to each other helped our development and pushed us into new areas of music and sound.

Now I live in Austin, Texas the "live" music capital of the world. I travel across the states and internationally to play for more people than I ever dreamed. But still... the music is about you. Yes you, the music lover who cares enough to actually read these words, and glosses the information for inspiration. We share the common bond: a love for good music. The desire for creation and the desire to share with people like you make me the musician I am.