CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your music, what would it be and why?
C: I guess the easiest way to describe it is to just call it Rock n’ Roll. Maybe Soft Rock at times.
C: The songs start with me usually on an acoustic and some songs stay that way but for Carriers I’d say the overall sound is drums, bass, guitars & synths.
C: Love a song that cruises with a good guitar lick.
CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
C: Musically I’d say Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, The Smiths, Rich Mullins & a lot of the classic rock I grew up listening to while driving around with my Dad.
C: In High school finding The Shins, Snow Patrol, Peter, Bjorn & John, Of Montreal, Broken Social Scene, Modest Mouse, The National & Arcade Fire were really inspiring.
C: And in the last 10 years up to now some staples have been Miracle Fortress, J Tillman, Carter Tanton, Lower Dens, Deerhunter, The War On Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, School Of Seven Bells, Caveman, Amen Dunes, Julia Jacklin, Fruit Bats and many more.
CH.89: What made you want to start a music project and how did you come up with the name?
C: Been making music for half of my life.
C: Grew up with my Dad ripping on the guitar all the time, played in church & started a band in high school with my best friends. Have made many records & toured with bands since and I started Carriers about 5 years ago. Will probably be doing this till the day I die.
C: This has been special because it’s the first band & record of my own songs.
C: Carriers came from the healing I personally feel through writing songs. I feel carried into a supernatural place & I hope to carry anyone who listens into that realm as well. A place of peace, refuge, love, value & knowing we’re not alone.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new album?
C: The songs just have to be there.
C: I write all the time. Approaching an album so far for me is just realizing which songs I want to be heard & which ones were just meant to help me through a day.
C: I have voice memos of most of them & I make a point to demo out the ones that make sense for an album. Working them out with my band & playing them live helps to solidify which ones make the cut as well.
C: Then assembling the dream team to make it happen! Love that part.
CH.89: What would you want people/ the listener to take from your music?
C: Overall I want the listener to enjoy it, feel something & hopefully bring some healing either spiritually, mentally or physically.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?
C: I guess I just live my life the way that comes most naturally.
C: I’m kind of just a tall, dad vibes, beer drinking goof ball who has connected with a lot of musicians/artists through mutual appreciation of each others art & genuine friendships. I don’t really think of myself as an artist, just a songwriter who works entry level jobs and plays shows. Ha. But, I guess I am an artist. Maybe I should try and embrace that more.
CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?
C: I act on impulse first, then once I sing a new song, I get home and play guitar with it, record a voice memo, then I get to work and decide the direction to go with it.
C: But really, both things work and I don’t think one is better than the other.
C: Planning things out & having direction for sure serves an important purpose.
C: I just always want something to come as naturally as it can.
CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist?
C: Be patient, be persistent, be real, be honest, don’t be a shit head.
CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?
C: I’ve got my style. I dig it. Some people dig it. Its fun to look a certain way sometimes/ get creative with the wardrobes.
C: Its not most important to me though.
C: Be you. That’s the best.
CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?
C: Comparing your art, success, status. You know, the bullshit that can be distracting but is also inevitable. I want to be good. I want to make cool sounding songs. I want my fans to love it. But, I don’t wanna get to caught up in thinking about that. There is for sure a healthy balance of having goals, vision and seeing those things through. Just trying to stay focused and make art that I like.
CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?
C: Freedom to create whenever I want. Also its so amazing being able to collaborate with friends and other artists & musicians to make something we couldn’t make on our own.
CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artists that inspire you in any way?
C: There probably are. I don’t think too much about individuals in that way. I appreciate so many people and artists.
C: If I had to choose though, I’m inspired by so many of the folks I get to play music with/ have shared the stage with.
C: Sometimes I’m most inspired by the people who have no idea how good they are at what they do.
CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?
C: Social Media is a helpful tool for sure. The connections I have personally made because of it & friendships that have been sustained, I’m super thankful for.
C: It’s also stressful at times and can be a complete distraction to creating things.
C: Again, all about a healthy balance.
CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?
C: I’d say for sure yeah. I mean, not many people can say they’ve traveled across America. Hopefully the rest of the world soon.
C: I’m thankful for what I experience and the way I get to interact with the world and people I encounter.
C: I think everyone is valuable though and has a purpose whether you’re a janitor or a super star.
CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?
C: Love the west coast. One of my favorite places I’ve recently traveled too is the northwest where the ocean & the redwoods meet.
CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?
C: Mother Theresa’s A Gift For God was a special one for me.
C: Walked into the Ohio Book Store in Cincinnati & grabbed the first book I blindly put my finger on. It was that one. It felt divine in the moment. I’m thankful for it.
CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your music?
C: Stoked to put out my first album.
C: Plans to record my second are in the works.
C: Ready to tour more and share my music with the world.
CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?
C: It’s the most honest, vulnerable, important thing to me to be able to capture a feeling, thought, prayer, or question through singing about it.
C: It gives me joy, get’s me through each day and I think it always will.
CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your music?
C: My hope is that anyone who hears it feels the beauty in it and believes in the beauty within themselves.
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