As a plugged in singer/storyteller I steal the vibe of Petty and combine it with modern pop sensibility to create jangly pop/rock that is modern but never stripped of its classic rock roots. My music sounds like the Boss taught Matchbox Twenty how to fight.

I've always been a musician, it just took me a long time to admit I was an artist. I only made it part way through music school before I left to make sure I had a backup plan. The thing was, the backup plan quickly became my actual trajectory. I became a 4^th grade teacher in Aurora, Colorado. I loved it. I loved my students. But I knew I needed to do something more. I should have turned to music. Instead, I went to law school.

I became a lawyer for abused & neglected children. I was in the children's homes, talking to them about their life experiences, fighting for them when nobody else would. Sometimes I was the only person in the courtroom who seemed to care about the safety of the kids. Again, I loved the work, but there was only so much punishment my psyche could take. It was time to start again, but this time I didn't make the same mistake.

I never stopped making music. I played live whenever I could & was a hired gun guitarist for several years. Music was the one through-line in my life.

I quit my lawyer job & went for music. I opened my own small studio, I produced other artists, & wrote songs with anybody who wanted to collaborate. I finished my album, “Nowhere, New Mexico” then started releasing new singles as quickly as I could. I did everything possible to fill my life with music. Slowly, it started to pay off. My single “Porcelain” hit #1 on an indie chart. "Next Saturday Night" broke into the top 10.  I was A three time #1 Artist on the Peak Sounds Colorado Countdown. Indie radio stations started playing my music more & more. The response to my music has been invigorating & humbling at the same time.  My latest releases, Balancing Act - EP1: Bar Crawling & Balancing Act - EP 2: ...Your Honor create an ambitious double EP that chronicles the circle of my journey from musician to lawyer to musician again.  When both EP's are played back to back a full concept album will be revealed.  Think Tommy meets the Rising.    

I enjoyed my successes as a musician but I started to miss working with kids. Back to the classroom I went. I was not going to get beat up by the child welfare system as a lawyer, I was going to help keep kids out of the system by getting back to my roots. 5th grade it was. 

I now teach 5th grade & make all the music I can.  I'm releasing singles as quickly as possible & am currently working on 3 different albums. I'm happier than I've ever been.

Oh, I also produce music with artists across the country.  I've made records with talented people like Ella Luna, Jeremy Facknitz, Alyssa Stoner, Liz Marvin, Terri Sunflower, Dan Manly, & Kelly Spicer.  Check them out too. They're pretty dope.

Peace,

ZS