An Adventure In Sound

"... let me warn you all in advance- this is going to be a very different album. So far it is becoming an experimental fusion of both electronic and acoustic sounds. Synthesizers, pianos, digital beats, field recordings, guitars, vocals, and ukulele rhythms blending together in large, seamless sound. And things have only just begun..."

I realize that many of you don't know that in late 2008 I had the unique opportunity to go to the country of China. I accompanied an american pastor to three key cities, helping to develop leaders in the ever-growing underground church movement. The things that I heard, saw and tasted, were far beyond what I ever could have anticipated. These things changed me forever.

During the 3 weeks of intense travel and training I found time to write 7 songs based on some of my experiences overseas. Anticipating inspiration, I thankfully brought along my trusty Ukulele which served as a vehicle for my music.

When I returned from China, I held a small one man concert/presentation at the Omaha Foundry, to tell of my travels and share my songs. The event was well attended and well received- despite a handful of technical difficulties that I encountered that night. My good friend Andrew Denekas even made a rough audio recording of the event. After it all, I was excited. I had every intention to record a China album as soon as possible.

Not long after my China presentation, however, my life took many different turns. Soon I was coming out with my first album "This Battle"... then I found myself engaged to the girl of my dreams... which in turn began inspiring completely different kinds of songs. These love songs written during 2009 and 2010 are some of my favorite songs yet- many of which were written with the help of my lovely (now) bride. Of course, as soon as the Megan songs started developing, I knew that they needed to be on an album.

After getting married in May of 2010, however, I began to realize that in order to make an album that would do the Megan songs justice, I would need to grow in both my recording knowledge and my musicality. I needed to work on a recording where I could experiment with different styles and sounds. An album that could be different than anything I had ever done. But what?

Then it happened. In late 2010, Andrew Denekas (who else?) posted a message on my Facebook wall. He wanted to know if I had recorded any of my China songs yet. I quickly replied that that was to be next recording project. It was just what I needed to be working on. I had waited long enough.

And so, for the last few weeks, I have begun to lay down the scratch tracks for my China album. And let me warn you all in advance- this is going to be a *very different album. So far it is becoming an experimental fusion of electronic and acoustic sounds. Synthesizers, pianos, digital beats, field recordings, guitars, vocals, and ukulele rhythms blending together in a large, seamless sound. And things have only just begun.

Please stay posted for updates. You can follow my latest adventures on my Twitter.

Much love.