I started doing solo stuff under the pseudonym shallos about 13 years ago. It was shallows originally, just to represent a kind of rough approach, scratching the surface. I thought it was cute to drop the w.

Yes. Parties, small clubs, basements and coffee shops.

It's eroding the control the music industry has, and smashing monopolies is a good thing.

I highly doubt it.

I have a wide variety of tastes, and I like to go all over the place. My current and past influences are Elliot Smith, Owen, Vaz, American Analog Set, Death Cab for Cutie, Walt Mink and Braid.

Minneapolis, my bed or Ryan's inflatable air mattress, drunk and ears ringing.

I use an applause accoustic, ernie ball musicman silhoette electric, 5150 half stack, trashcan 4track used for input into my computer, fruity loops, sound forge, acid pro and now adobe audition. Also hung up the applause in favor of my new taylor 214E. Beauty.