There's a great jazz and traffic station in Minneapolis that's always talking about the 'gawker slowdown' caused by accidents. Aside from sounding cool, the name relates to the types of things I seem to concentrate on (reflecting on mistakes and hardships in my and others' lives) in many of my songs.

Playing live is something I'm finding I'm driven to do less and less as I turn into an old guy. I've only played a handful of live dates since the summer of '06, and I can't say I really miss playing out more regularly. I'm always willing to play, though, and will usually accept shows in a heartbeat if offered and can fit them into my schedule.

It gets a lot more material out there, which cuts both ways. On a larger level, though, the Internet presents a real threat to corporations' control of the music industry. The Internet gives artists what could be their best ever opportunity to be heard without the aid of labels. If artists take this opportunity, they could shift industry ownership back to themselves--but that's a huge 'if'.

No.

Began writing in 1991 while in college. Settled in with Third Wheel in 1995, for whom I played guitar, sang, and served as chief songwriter. Released two pretty good records, toured, broke up in 1999. I wanted to keep writing songs, but wanted to not worry so much about things like promotion, selling product, etc. Decided to go the self-recorded route (the cheap self-recorded route, at that--all songs at this site were recorded with modest means from my basement studio) and to do my thing while my family sleeps or takes overnight vacations to grandma's. See "MP3 MUSIC" for recorded results, "TOUR DATES" for live ones.

Joe Pernice (in all projects), Neil Young, Freedy Johnston, Tweedy/Wilco, Elvis Costello, Springsteen, Ron Sexsmith, Dylan, Randy Newman, Lyle Lovett, Neil Finn/Crowded House, Petty, Graham Parker. Oh, and like everyone else, I love pretty much all things Replacements-related; not sure, though, that this love is reflected in my stuff here.

My home in the Twin Cities.

Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, hand percussion, drum machines, piano, synth, harmonica, whatever makes an interesting noise to put in my recorder.