fractured light

This is a place where I dump my insecurities in hopes it will prevent future decades of silence and self-sabotage.

Theological Disclaimer

The work I share (whether written words or music) should not be taken as theology. They were published when my life was where it was. In hindsight, some works are theologically sounds and others are not. Perhaps some shouldn’t have been published at all.

Like any fallen human, I hope you will judge me on my body of work rather than a single song, lyric, or thought. I do my best to speak the truth and do well, but I nevertheless trust in God’s infinite grace for my shortcomings.

Sounds Quality and Mistakes

Every song I’ve published was recorded in my home studio – which was typically in a garage, attic, or basement. There was no soundproofing. There was no editor or producer. I “scored” the drums in my music editing software in an attempt to reproduce what I heard in my head. I used basic studio monitors to “mix and master” my own music (I don’t recommend this).

I actually did hire a mastering engineer once (Thieves, Men, and Vagabonds).

I often used too much reverb. At least one song has an audible click track that bled through my makeshift studio headphones (earbuds + shotgun earmuffs). Another one definitely has a car in the background of the intro.

I’ve simply tried to do the best I can do with what I have. If my perfectionistic nature had its way, nothing would have been published. I had to write this little note if there was to be any hope I’d ever publish another song.

Style Inconsistencies & Influences

My recordings fall on a spectrum from “chaotic wall of sound” to minimalist acoustic with a single microphone. I think I prefer layers. But I seem to oscillate between over producing to under producing, and I guess that’s okay. Each song seems to “want” its own thing. I try to record what I hear in my head, and sometimes I get carried away.

I also like a wide variety of music. So sometimes I seem to write acoustic folk and other times borderline punk rock emo. Defiance PartA is my only attempt so far at electronic instrumental.

I write what I’m going through. Desperate love, indescribable heartbreak, “wrestling” with God, faith in the unfathomable grace of Jesus Christ my savior, the wretched wanderings we all seem prone to… That probably covers the bulk of it. See “Theological Disclaimer” above.

My biggest influences over the years have been Switchfoot, Mae, Anberlin, the Goo Goo Dolls, John Mayer, Gin Blossoms, Daughtry, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Dashboard Confessional, NEEDTOBREATHE, Relient K… and too many late-90’s / early-2000’s bands to name (both Christian and mainstream).

The last thing I want to be is a parody of myself or someone else. This little note reminds me not to fall into a box.