I want to have a heart that stays grateful and grounded, always pliable, never regretful. #24, “Who I Am”, is a reflection of all this wrapped up in a song. And my producer Charlie Crane took what I wanted to paint and ran with it! A sonic journey that evolves while taking some fun twists and turns. A song can help me express the deepest parts of me in ways I didn’t even know I had. My hope and prayer is that this song takes you through a cathartic journey to help you reflect, be present, and dream for the future too. From one dreamer to another! ✨more

Taking a broad view of Russia's War on Ukraine, it's hard to imagine a more anxiety-producing picture at present. I'm talking about the blossoming “defense” partnerships and alliances between Russia and authoritarian regimes like the D.P.R.K., China, and Iran. I’m talking about political trends worldwide that elevate populism and the repressive, violent, patriarchal doctrine of strongmen. I’m talking about the disinformation-fueled erosion of trust in fact-based research and reliable institutions in democracies like the U.S. The Russian Federation and the U.S.—among other nations—are racing again; this time backwards, toward their respective "glory days." Ex-KGB Lieutenant Colonel Putin understands disinformation warfare and propaganda better than most and employs it prodigiously in his unrelenting push to subjugate post-Soviet sovereign states like Ukraine, sabotaging support for them at home and abroad. Self-styled autocrat and Putin sycophant Trump vows to make America great again by erasing as many social, civil, environmental, and economic points of progress achieved in the U.S. over the past 70+ years as possible. These demagogues drag the world backwards as they drive our countries ever closer to the cliff’s edge. Incoming Trump-picked Director of National Intelligence (%#$@!??!!) Tulsi Gabbard echoes Russian-cooked conspiracy theories and disinformation about Ukraine while parroting Chinese disinformation regarding Japan's steps toward rearmament (disregarding Japan’s status as the U.S.’s most stalwart Pacific ally for the past seven decades). MAGA Republicans like Gabbard now control both chambers of Congress, their confidence bolstered by the bonus wind at their backs of a conservative-majority Supreme Court. Trump threatens revenge on his perceived enemies, Putin already exacts his daily. Both men will plod on with their Machiavellian tactics exploiting and manipulating public perception and the rule of law, allowing them to act with impunity to kidnap children and erase the unique linguistic and cultural identity of a people, to hold onto power and evade accountability, to be issued an ICC warrant and still be counted as a friend by the incoming leader of the free world, to attempt to override the United States Constitution for personal protection from legal consequences. These sociopaths and others across the globe promise their countries a return to "greatness", a restoration of their yesteryear glory, a trip back in time to before whichever-group-they-now-choose-to-scapegoat went and ruined everything. This is not new stuff; this rhetoric and these tactics are all from "back then", which makes it all the more vexing to watch people today play into it. Anyway… I've tried to distill some of these ideas and feelings↑ in this new instrumental piece called "The Great Race Backwards." *** Since a lot of the spoken audio clips I've used are in Russian/Ukranian, here are the English translations and sources: -0:00-0:08: (Putin speaking at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022) “They seem to believe that the dominance of the West in global politics and the economy is an unchanging, eternal value. Nothing lasts forever.” -0:58-1:01: (Trump standing next to President Zelenskyy in Trump Tower addressing reporters prior to their meeting on 9/27/24) “I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin.” -1:02-1:03: (Trump, sat next to Putin, addressing reporters prior to one-on-one meeting in Helsinki, Finland on 7/16/18) “…Our mutual friend, President Xi.” -1:04-1:06: (Trump, sat next to Kim Jong-Un, at their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam on 2/27/19) “I have great respect for Chairman Kim.” -1:33-1:50: (Snake Island radio exchange between Russian warship and Ukranian Border Guard on day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 2/24/22) RUSSIAN WARSHIP: “Snake Island, I am a Russian warship. I suggest that you disarm and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.” UKRANIAN BORDER GUARD: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.” -2:27: (President Zelenskyy) “Sláva Ukrayíni/Glory to Ukraine” more

My new single, Tell Me Tell Me, is a hypnotic pop love song that captures the essence of new romance. With its catchy rhythms and heartfelt sentiment, it’s set to be a feel-good ballad. more