You’ve been busy with music recently. Can you tell us what you’ve been up to over the past few months?
The last few months I’ve finished up my new album, and have played a few shows here and there. I started playing keys for another artist. I’ve also been tour manager for a short tour with a country band.
Where did your love of music come from?
A whole lot of experiences I suppose. I was made to take piano lessons for three years then it was my choice and I kind of stuck with it. My parents took me to plenty of concerts. I fell in love with writing music at about age 19. I really started digging into alternative/indie music around that time too.
How did you come up with the name “Welsh Avenue”? & What’s the meaning of the name?
It was the street I lived on in college when I started writing music. I stuck with it because I liked the way it sounded and life is a road after all.
Can you tell us a little something about you?
I have lived most of my life in Central Texas, except for one semester in Germany.
My job used to be a veterinary technician, but now I petsit while I’m working towards music.
I can smile and whistle at the same time.
Most of what I say during conversation are one-liner jokes.
Your new EP “New Ways” is coming out soon. Can you spill any details about the new EP?
The first two songs were written as one, I just split off the piano intro to make the song more listener-friendly. It features a guest bassist. I’ve never outsourced an instrument before and he really nailed it. It’s out of this world and I’m stoked for people to hear it.
How excited are you to get this project out into the world?
I am extremely excited. It is definitely my best work yet, and is already doing well on college radio rotations. I’m really hoping it become a soundtrack for some people’s summer this year.
You just released the first single off the album, what has your reaction been to the success of the new single?
I am pretty happy about it. It’s a little different sound than most of my stuff but was well-received. It’s the title track of the upcoming album so I’m hoping it will turn people on to it.
What do you think is the benefit of having a following on social media in the music industry?
The free marketing I suppose. I have a love/hate relationship with social media.
What’s the feeling you get when performing in front of your fans?
It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s a huge rush, my heart is pounding most of the time, and I’m completely honed in. My favorite part is when I can see the audience connecting with it of course. It’s the main reason besides creative expression that I make music.
Does your fanbase have a name?
No. I’d rather see my fans as individuals in the hopes that the music touches them at a one-of-a-kind level. I don’t really want it to be about me.
How do you want your relationship to be with your fans?
I want to be an encourager, through music and speech. Life is tough out there, and I’ve had more encouragement than most to be where I am and it would be wrong of me not to pass that along.
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?
Mostly Instagram. But a lot of my posts I also share to my Facebook and Twitter. And actually my Twitter usage has picked up recently.
What was the craziest fan encounter you have had?
I honestly haven’t really had any. One time I was playing at a fair and they had an old car that you could pay to hit with a sledgehammer for a fundraiser, and somebody spray painted “Welsh Avenue” on it before they started smashing it. It was all in good fun.
What’s an average day for you look like?
I usually get up and have coffee and pray/meditate with coffee then take spend most of my day taking care of animals. Of course I practice and work on new music. I also teach piano lessons one day a week.
