When I was growing up, I used to write lyrics constantly without any music whatsoever. While messing around on the computer, my sister was watching a movie, and I thought I heard one of the character's say the line "17 hours of madness", though I'm certain I misheard it. Liking the sound of that line, I wrote a song around that title. A couple of years later, I wrote a "sequel" to this, with music (though I never recorded it, it's all in my head) called "Another 17 Hours" and it was comprised of several different parts.

A couple of years after that, I decided to write a final "chapter", as I'm a big fan of trilogies. This spawned one of my proudest works "The Seventeenth Hour". This is purely a poem at its best. Since then, the whole concept of the "17 Hours" was very much a part of what my music meant to me.

I do play live rarely, and if so it's with my friends. I love playing live as we try to make it as much fun as possible. Plus I love being able to have other people listen to the music I've written, and hearing their feedback, be it good or bad.

I think the internet could be a huge vehicle for mass distribution, if used properly. Pay services like iTunes and the new Napster are great, but I still think places like what mp3.com used to be, and soundclick as well, are necessary for small time artists like myself to get music out there, without worrying about money.

No. After seeing what the music industry is really like, I will never agree to sign with anyone. I have as much fun and enjoyment writing music on my own terms that I wouldn't have it any other way.

Big influences for me are Metallica, Pink Floyd (that is to say, David Gilmour), and Dream Theater.

Where I live right now. I have a beautiful wife and lovely daughter, and would not rather be anywhere other than where I am now.

Basically, it's me, my acoustic guitars, and my iMac w/Digital Performer. That's all I need.