On occasion i have had the ability to play live and record with some wonderfully talented musicians. it’s not really a band, it’s more of a rotating cast of brilliant characters who have appeared on my recordings and sometimes join me for a show or two. Most of my shows are solo for right now but from time to time I might be joined by some of the following folks. ***the views expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the musicians I have worked with
Luke and I have been playing together from the very beginning. Recording in Luke’s bedroom to a cassette recorder, later in churches, then to real studios, then to basement studios, then back to real studios and now back to the basement. Luke has been involved in the production of nearly every project I have released, working not only as a drummer but an incredible engineer and producer. I couldn’t have made As Long as This Thing’s Flyin’ or Poison in the Wires without Luke as he was a force of nature in both of those records. He is arguably one of the most talented drummers and engineers in the Pacific Northwest though he’d scoff to read that. Whatever Luke. Don’t roll your eyes. Thankful for your friendship, musicianship and mentorship in putting a studio together. Couldn’t have done any of this without you.
Luke Meade - drums, engineering, production
Phil Ajjarapu man of steel - pedal steel, dobro, weisenborn, bass, vocals
The fact that this man is alive and breathing is a miracle in and of itself.
Phil has survived divorce, heartbreak, being attacked by a hammerhead shark, cut open and set on fire by skinheads, and then later should have died in a spectacular fiery motorcycle crash, only to live, and live in pain for the rest of his life. But he is a beautiful human with a heart so big it could crush this town. His album Sing Along Until You Feel Better is well worth listening to- power pop, melodies you want to sing with, killer arrangements and fantastic songwriting. You should listen to it.
Jeremy Harris - guitars, bass dobro, banjo, production
Jeremy played a lot on and helped produce the album As Long as This Thing’s Flyin’. We haven’t played together in years but I hope to change that soon! I’m not sure what he is up to these days but he did play for the band Vetiver out of the Bay area for a while. He is truly one of the best musicians I have ever worked with. Send me a link Jeremy so I can share it here.
Ki
My beautiful wife, mother of my children, patient listener, careful and smart critic, proofreader, editor, cellist, and my true beneficial adversary.
Stephanie and I have collaborated off and on as musicians for more than a decade; High School Choir to Berklee College of Music. Stephanie Graduated from Berklee studying music therapy. In 2018 she produced a brilliant children’s record Move It, Move It! with an accompanying children’s book Shy Little Monster. The Pacific Northwest had a gem return to it’s Gem State when she returned and brought her music with her. I was privileged with producing her newest album Made to Bloom here at Mountain Mandolin Studio - it’s out now, check it below and to find out more about her work go to: https://www.musicforkiddos.com/
Stephanie Leavell - harp, vocals
James Bookert - banjo, guitars, bgvs, skateboards
James played banjo with me for a while while we lived in Austin- he played on Poison in the Wires and went on tour in support of Poison in the Wires in 2012. He also played on an out of print EP 7” called The Devil’s Gonna Get You If He Can that I am planning to re release soon. He is making some rad music on his own these days as San Gabriel. Check it out on Spotify. I really dig his song Castles.
Alex Tomaino - guitar wizard
Alex played 99% of the electric guitar on Poison in the Wires and is one of the best guitar players I have ever met. He does have some sort of fancy music degree (like masters or above i think) in music and can hang with legit jazz players. I told him not to come on a tour in 2012. I feel a little bad about it but i had my reasons at the time. That said i would gladly play with him again and have a lot of respect for his musicianship.
