What do Stevie Ray Vaughan, Linda Ronstadt, Nile Rogers, Enya & Sade have in common musically?  They are all some of my musical influences, and their influence all came together in this song that at times feels sensual, at times hopeful, and ultimately painful.  All feelings felt when you give yourself fully to one who is not deserving of such a gift.

You're No Good

A simple song I wrote about the rural valley where I live.  Photo credit to Drew Stawin (https://www.drewstawin.com/)

Wet Mountain Valley

Gemini, our debut release, is a tale of brotherly estrangement and how one can often find themselves worse for taking an unyielding position -- even when there is ample justification for it.  It is meant to be allegorical and relate to the dissolution of the American brotherhood that is happening as we are encouraged to pick sides and push each other away.

Musically, this song is a paean to the progressive rock epics of the early and mid 1970s.  Long-form songs with complex arrangements from bands like Genesis, Pink Floyd and Yes.  We hope you enjoy it.

Dearest brother,
How fortunate we are
To have each other
We'll never stray far
United we are
And thus shall we be
Together, forever
We'll always be free

Dearest brother,
What have you done?
I know that we
Are to always be one
But this is too much
You've strayed far from
Where we were born
When we were young

Dearest brother,
Is that you at the door?
I can see your face
But I can recognize you no more
Its not a good time
You shouldn't have come
Go back to your home
Beyond a distant sun
Far away from me

Dearest brother?
I don't seem to recall
Ever having had
A brother at all
I'm all that I need
A monument of stone
Austere and unmoving
Cold and alone
(Cold and alone)
Forever and ever
Cold and alone
Forever and ever
Cold and alone
(But I'm in control)
Forever and ever
Cold and alone
(I'm in control)
Forever and ever
Cold and alone

I'm in control

Gemini

This is an orchestral/symphonic piece I composed and recorded about the arrival of Spring.

Herald Of Spring

A song about the impermanence of even lifelong human relationships and the importance of them despite their transience.

Something That Might Last

A tale of a warrior and his faithful hound and their ultimate triumph over death.

In war-torn lands, where shadows loom, and chaos rules the night,
Our hero strides with faithful hound, their bond a guiding light.
Together they will face the storm, their destinies entwined,
Conscripted souls, to face the foe, against the shifting tide.

On fields of blood they stand,
The wolf and man.
A blade shines bright,
Claws can split the night.

The trials they endure,
Victory is sure.
Their's is a bond divine,
Two spirits intertwined.

As twilight falls, a somber truth revealed.
The faithful hound, now wounded deep, his fate is cruelly sealed.
Now alone, with tearful eyes, his master's silent plea,
To carry on, through mournful cries, in sorrow's reverie...

With vengeance in his heart,
He fights, though torn apart.
It weighs him down,
In grief to drown.

The conscript carries on,
Though hope is nearly gone.
Their bond will never sever,
As they join in death...
Forever

Mori (Dog Of War)

The fourth offering from The Velvet Ropes, Night’s Fire is a hard rock tale of a one time encounter and revisits the sounds of the 1990’s metal movement.

Night's Fire

What Would It Take

Some quick soloing over a backing track using my new favorite set of gear -- a Barber Gain Changer into a UAFX Ruby into a GFI Synesthesia and then from there into the DAW where I added delay and reverb.

TrippingBalls - Barber Gain Changer -> UAFX Ruby -> GFI Synesthesia

Five

Our latest tune is a piece of pop confection harkening back to the pop-rock era of bands like Boston or Journey.

Drive Me To The Cemetery

I am a musician & producer with influences from rock, R&B, funk, metal, jazz, folk and Americana.  I enjoy making my own music, and collaborating with others.

You're No Good

DevQuixote

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