I was diving in Turks & Caicos and a rather large reef shark passed by slightly to my left along the edge of the reef wall. Knowing a small amount about coral reef ecosystems and the unlikelyhood of their survival very far into the future, I became emotional about the fragility of this incredible creature and all it depended on to continue existing. I later wrote a poem that contained the phrase, "Sentimental shark woke up to hammers bangin' through the floor." Somehow "Sentimental Shark" became my name for the personality behind a group of songs I started writing at the Lazy Black Bear, a beautiful place in southern Indiana where I lived and worked during the summer of 2003. When I was registering my publishing company (Chicken of the Woods Music) with ASCAP, I did a brief internet search just to make sure nobody else was using the name Sentimental Shark and discovered that it was in fact the title of a poem by Robert Service, the poet who wrote The Cremation of Sam McGhee, a poem I was familiar with in my childhood.

Yes, alone. I tend to enjoy music that isn't very compatible with mine in a live situation and have ended up on bills that don't always make a lot of sense, but I'm working on that. Perhaps I'll put together a band to back me up when I end up on those awkward bills to balance things out, that's something I've been thinking about a bit lately. There have been a lot of special moments, but they're gone now. Creating and participating in the Three Headed Dog with Andrew, Chris, Jeff and everybody has been by far the most satisfying live performance event I have been affiliated with and likely the most creative and unique. You can contact me directly for booking info through my website: http://www.sentimentalshark.com/

With brute strength and unwavering dedication.

I would only sign a record contract with any label if I thought it would provide me with resources to further my creativity and not stifle it. I don't know if a major label exists that is in line with my ethical perspectives and could also provide me that sort of creative freedom.

I was born in Detroit in 1980, played in a variety of bands from when I was around 15 through most of college. Lived in Bloomington, IN for quite awhile, I love it there, strange town. That's where we made the Three Headed Dog happen. Now I'm back in the Detroit area. I've traveled a lot, I enjoy that.

There are so many, I don't really know what effect they all have on what I do. I think a large amount of what I do is influenced by just living, poetry, and my friends and family. I have been listening to quite a lot of Neil Young lately (I'm in love with 'On the Beach'). Devendra Banhart has significantly changed my idea of what is possible with songwriting and helped me to stop worrying so much and just write songs. I'm just trying to become more real and honest in my expression.

There isn't just one.

Sometimes a Martin, sometimes a Harmony Singing Cowboys guitar, whatever acoustic guitar is around usually, a melodica here and there, but I don't limit myself to that.

check out my website to sign up for my e-mail newsletter and all that: http://www.sentimentalshark.com/

i'm actively seeking collaborators, specifically a creative producer to work with me on recording my songs in unique ways and/or musicians to contribute to the arrangements of my music both live and on recordings. contact me if my music moves you and you are interested in working with me in any capacity.