You and Dean met back in 2007 during when Collective Soul was putting together the Afterwords album. What was your involvement with that project?
That was pretty much my introduction into professional record making. I remember walking into Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta hoping to god that I wouldn’t screw anything up. Once I calmed down everything fell into place. I was second engineer on Afterwords. I remember when I first met Dean. Him & I were in a side studio recording rhythm guitar tracks. It was cool cause he didn’t care that I was still learning & didn’t quite have my shit together. That was a fun time.
You had just recently finished up at Berklee in the Music Production program. Can you talk about how that program is laid out?
I was blessed to be a part of Berklee’s School of Production. I truly loved every minute of it. When you first get into Berklee you have to do a general semester. Then you can start applying to different majors. My goal from day one was to get into that program. You have to write a bunch of essays and go through an in person interview. Grades also had something to do with it I believe. For the first time in my life those were actually good haha! Luckily I got in right after my first semester. Everyone I met in that program was so great, teachers & students. For the first time I felt like I was in the right place in my life. We would have history of recording, engineering, mixing, tech and critical listening classes. It was so awesome! I couldn’t believe that I was actually in school. Needless to say I’m excited to hang in Boston on this tour.
When you play live is it is just you and Dean?
The band is a four piece. We have two other fellas playing with us. Will Sowers is our bass player. He is a long time member of the band Emarosa & also did some touring with a band I love called Civil Twilight. Taylor White is our drummer. He has been a part of the Atlanta circuit for a minute. He was a part of the band Vonnegut and they were signed to Big Boi’s (outkast) label Purple Ribbon at one time. Both guys are really great dudes and talented musicians. A real pleasure to have on the road with us.
Are you guys actively writing for a follow-up to Mass?
Yes. We are always writing music. When we get done with this tour we will go into our studio in Atlanta and start recording. We have a lot of solid ideas that we can’t wait to expand upon.
Want are some of your influences musically?
I’m really all over the place when it comes to music. I’m really into Brit Rock. It seems that all my favorite bands are from across the pond. Maybe I was British in a past life or something. When I just want to cool out for a minute I’ll go to Jazz or Classical. Once upon a time I wanted to be a jazz musician then when I got to Berklee and saw how bad ass those dudes were. I quickly changed my mind. I really try to listen for intent in music. If I can identify that then usually I can connect.
When we see you in Pittsburgh should we expect most of the Mass record or might there be a few surprises?
We will play most of Mass on this tour. There will definitely be a few surprises. Since we are writing a lot of new stuff people can expect a couple of those thrown into the set. Excited for the rest of the shows. So far it’s been great!
Magnets and Ghosts Tour Dates:
July 27 – Jacksonville, FL – Underbelly
July 29 – Birmingham, AL – The Nick
July 30 – New Orleans, LA – Circle Bar
July 31 – Hattiesburg, MS – Brewsky’s
Aug 2 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Green Bar
Aug 4 – Nashville, TN – High Watt
Aug 6 – Louisville, KY – The New Vintage Showcase
Aug 7 – Lexington, KY – Willie’s Locally Known
Aug 9 – Columbus, OH – RUMBA Cafe
Aug 10 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
Aug 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Hard Rock Cafe
Aug 13 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs
Aug 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Hall
Aug 16 – New York, NY – Santo’s Party House
Aug 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Northstar Bar
Aug 18 – Washington, DC – DC9
Aug 20 – Roanoke, VA – Martin’s Downtown
Aug 22 – Charlotte, NC – Evening Muse
Aug 23 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
Aug 24 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl