If you’ve had a music lesson, your teacher has probably told you to use a metronome in your practice sessions. If you don’t, shame! You’re missing out on a useful tool in the shed. It’s only as strong a tool as you make it though.

Today, otherfather release our first track, which Chris Turnbaugh mixed and mastered.

John Krane has released a new single, “14 Days,” which features St. Louis musicians from their own homes. I performed bass, as well as mixed and mastered the song from my house. It’s a tune that’ll have you singing about quarantine in no time, so check out the post.

Sometimes I get obsessed with a trick or idea in some aspect of my musical life and use it constantly. Lately, it's been new uses of my old friend, sidechaining, which is a very versatile tool in the recording studio.

Devon Allman just started a label, Create Records, and its inaugural release is Jackson Stokes self-titled album. I was an engineer on a sizable portion of the record and mixed it, both at my favorite studio in St. Louis, Sawhorse Studios.

Haley came to me with 12 songs she had been performing as a solo artist. She wanted to flesh out the songs with more instruments and was looking for input. In the end, I think we did right by the music, bringing each song to a new place that was still true to the intent of the original composition.

Composition is like many other things in music, it is a skill you can develop. So what if you’re wanting to improve your songwriting but are having trouble starting?

Don’t burn bridges. You never know who may be able to help you in the future, and this goes for our careers and also our personal lives.

My birthday was this past weekend, but I didn’t take any time off. Why take time off when you do what you love? I’m always thankful to be able to perform, but this weekend was special.

I learn a lot about myself through teaching, and I’m especially inspired when I get a new student. I enjoy the challenge of discovering their strengths and weaknesses and piecing together how I can help the most.

I'm in my happy place: out on the road with the The Gorge [progressive metal]. We are playing at Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines tonight. Tomorrow, we'll be in Minneapolis at Modist Brew.