YEAR: Third
MAJOR: English
HOMETOWN: Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
When and why did you start writing songs?
It just happened. When I was in middle school I started playing guitar. My dad showed me chords. Music is such a huge part of my life; it was just inevitable for me to write.
Who are your biggest influences?
The Beatles. Andrew Bird. Beck. Radiohead. Elliott Smith.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Other Lives. George Harrison. Andrew Bird.
What was a performance you were you inspired by?
Andrew Bird. He’s amazing. The key about him is he went to school for violin. He’s one with his violin — he can’t make a mistake on it because he knows it so well. He just makes a one-man band beautiful.
What’s your plan for the future?
I’m going to keep writing and hopefully
record; I’m not banking on a career in music, but obviously I would love one.
Any advice for aspiring musicians?
Keep perfecting. Keep practicing. Play the music that you really like. Don’t just concentrate on what people would like.
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