From black and white to color

I was twelve when my sister got an acoustic guitar for her birthday. I picked it up, and my world went from black and white to color. I hid that guitar in my closet and played it every chance I got, until I'd begged my parents into an electric for Christmas. Within that first year I realized I didn't just want to play instruments. I wanted to write music.

From Metallica to Beethoven, I became fascinated with how music was put together. I was already hearing parts come together in my own mind, and I needed to know how it all worked. So I learned instrument after instrument, then learned to read and write music, so I could build it myself.

Today I write, play, and record most of my music myself: piano, drums, voice, guitar, bass, keys and synths, plus ethnic instruments and percussion. Prog-leaning rock, cinematic themes, congregational worship, ambient textures, and quiet instrumentals all come from the same place: curiosity about where a song wants to go. My music has passed 100,000 streams. My film work includes co-composing the score for Unsung Hero and writing music for The Rapture and Things to Come and The Gospel of Thomas.

Some of my music carries its own label. A Journey in Rest holds my calm, contemplative instrumentals. Assay is where the adventurous, progressive rock lives. Doulos Worship is the worship music I make with my wife, Ashley.

I also love helping other creatives finish meaningful work through mentoring, creative consultation, and videos that show how songs get made. By day I serve as a worship pastor, and I believe creativity is a gift worth stewarding well. I'm also writing a fantasy novel, so more on that soon.