1. How old were you when you knew your life was going to be art? I've rewritten this answer one hundred times. Because I'm a living human, I am making art. I would have to say when I was born I knew (unconsciously) that I would be making art.  Life is art! 

 

2. When did you start for real? All of my life experiences have added to my ability to create art.  I haven't really completed anything of my own yet, but I believe everything around me is influencing and inspiring my personal expression.  When it's time, my life's work will manifest itself in something called "art."

 

3. Were you single minded in this pursuit or did you train/educate for a "real" job?  I've been in a touring band since I was 18, so the past 5 years have been on-the-job training for a professional music career.  I would have graduated from college this year had I stayed in school, so i like to think I have a degree in Touring Band. 

 

4. School - Did it help, hinder, or immaterial? School is a wonderful resource but definitely not necessary for a career in music. After all, music is just a form of personal expression, and if you have something you want to say you probably don't need formal instruction.

 

However, classical cello requires instruction, so school- private lessons and orchestra- was essential in learning technique basics. I never went to music school in college. I dropped out after my freshman year at UT to start touring. There is not a major you can choose to help prepare for that, but life on the road, that was a school in itself. 

 

5. Who supported your decisions? My family was supportive of my decisions. I remember calling my dad to tell him I wasn't returning to UT that fall. I had a list of reasons why it was okay- it was expensive, I needed a break, I could go back any time- but before I could say any of that, he was already on board. He'd taken a semester off himself to pursue music and thought it'd be a great idea. 

 

6. Do you have family?  And where are they? My dad is a pianist working in San Francisco, my mom is a ballet teacher in Austin.  I have two brothers, also in Austin. one builds houses or whatever you want and he has the time for, and the other is currently down in south Texas figuring out what he wants to do with life... 

 

7. What gigs stand out to you, looking back? Stubbs outdoors opening for dr dog was a crazy milestone achievement . It was so much fun! I could definitely do that kind of show every night. The vibe of the crowd was invigorating ("Vibe" sounds corny to me, but was a palpable energy that night!).

 

8. Who did you like performing with? I love performing with people who are good listeners. 

 

9. What do you see as your best work? My best work has yet to be written, recorded or released. Stay tuned... 

 

10. Has your outlook on fame changed since you've achieved it? Fame is so weird. Fame changes people, but also liberates a lot of people. When you realize that you can do whatever you want, you become more awesome, and people gravitate toward you even more. Fame can be a good reminder to be yourself, and  to be confident in any weird or out of the ordinary ideas that You have. But it's of tantamount importance to remain humble in the face of fame. Showing respect toward every person is always important.

 

11. Has noteriety changed you? Notoriety 

 

12. Do you feel satisfied with yourself? Not yet! 

 

13. How do you want to be remembered? As a passionate life-liver... Ergo a passionate art-giver 

 

14. What are you currently working on? Life. Art. 

 

15. Is it as easy as it looks? The electric cello is not that easy. The cello is an old instrument and it's hard to keep up with modern instrumentation. I love it to death, but it's certainly not as easy as playing a guitar or synthesizer. It's not as free for me when I'm performing. 

 

16. Is it fun? But its interesting to try to fit cello lines between rock songs. And live performances, if the vibes are right, those are fun as hell! 

 

18. What would you say to wannabee performers? Make the sounds that you make. Don't be afraid of influences but don't abuse them either. Make music from your heart. 

 

19. Do you have pets, what kind? No pets. I'm gone for about 9 months out of the year. I tried to buy a cactus, because I thought it wouldn't die, but it turned out it was actually genetically modified succulent that has limited chlorophyll receptors, so it turns pink or orange. it's grafted on to another type of succulent to stay alive. 

 

20. What's more important - Talent or hard work? Hard work! Everyone one has a heart beat, so everyone can be a musician. 

 

21. Your take on MP3 downloads?  MP3 downloads are a thing of the past for me. With the advent of spotify and pandora, Music is accessible all the time. The internet is a great way to share music and gain a following. I think the best way to support an artist is to tell all your friends, go to the shows and buy the merch.