Q: What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
Like all band stories, It started in a garage with carpet on the walls and a SM58 duct-taped to a broken mic stand. I was always the loudest kid in the room with the most to say, so naturally, I grabbed the mic and let everyone know how I felt about them. That was the birth of Model Citizen. We didn’t know what we were doing, but we knew we meant it. That’s all that mattered.
Q: Were there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
Only every bump possible. No money, no management, slept in vans, lots of Mexican food. And that was the good stuff. We got scammed by labels, club owners, banned from a few venues, and almost arrested more times than I can count. I’ve lost friends to addiction, fought through my own demons, and rebuilt my life more than once. In that regard, my life is not unique in any way.
Q: What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Honestly? Watching my own kids get into punkrock and actually enjoy their dad’s songs. Seeing that baton pass, from the chaos of my early days to something more meaningful, even if it’s still unpolished. Also, releasing my solo album 1919 after a long hiatus. That was like reclaiming a part of myself I thought I buried.
Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
It’s outlaw Americana with punk DNA. I still carry that DIY energy, but now I’m not just screaming , I’m saying something. And I am doing it more for me than I ever have.
Q: What is your creative process like?
Usually starts with a line I can’t stop thinking about, something I overheard in a dive bar or felt in my gut. I write the music first, then build a hook around that. Sometimes it’s a piano. Sometimes it’s an old guitar. I don’t care how clean it sounds, I just care if it’s honest .
Q: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I’d bulldoze the gatekeepers and make room for working-class voices again. There’s too much smoke and mirrors, too much algorithm worship. Real music should come from the soul, not a focus group. I’d bring back the power of independent scenes. But most of all, I’d get rid of auto tune.
Q: If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Don’t try to be next. Be first. Play shitty shows. Get tight. Build your community. The moment you chase trends, you’re already late. This sounds hypocritical coming from a guy who always wanted to sound like my favorite bands, but I have learned that the simpler I keep things, the easier it is for me to connect the music in my head to the music that comes out of the guitar.
Q: What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Early on in my punkrock days, we’re talking mid 90’s, We played this wild show in a half-collapsed barn packed with about 400 punks. Dark, sweaty, kids diving off rafters. Dust everywhere. We could see there were some skinheads(not the good kind) in the crowd and we expected there would be trouble. One song into our set, shit popped off. A bottle got thrown, fists started flying, and suddenly it was a full-on brawl in the middle of the pit. We didn’t even stop playing, just treated it like part of the set. I remember being so proud of our crew in that moment, having actual faith in our movement in that moment. It may not have been our best performance but it was definitely my most memorable and influential in my own life.
Q: If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Hard to tell because music has been such a huge part of my life. Even in my business, I have been successful, even with my unpolished demeanor. I think that is the key, just being real, being who you truly are. I think it attracts the right kind of energy and the right kind of opportunities. So no matter what, my belief system that was built by my music has rolled over into my business. It’s a blessing and a curse.
Q: What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
The new album on the horizon. Making music again feels addicting, so I believe you’ll continue to see lots of that. Can’t wait to keep sharing my art with the world. Thanks
