Projects

As The Sparrow: As the Sparrow is a folk influenced rock-swing band based around the songwriting of Mark Damon and Crystal Araiza. Coming out of Boston, the band draws from the energy of big band swing music as well as the intimacy and poetry of the folk genre. The songs are fun and surfy albeit with an underlying dark tone.

I joined the sparrows five years ago and have never looked back. I enjoy playing entirely violin in this project, and working with the more jazzy, vigorus big band sound is really enjoyable and makes my roots happy. It encourages playing with a very particular use of recuring themes to tie together the full band sound to achieve a really cohesive and full texture. I anticipate big things! Check out the new record "Vacation Forever" on any streaming platform.

The Bridgebuilders: The Bridgebuilders are part of a new wave of folk-inspired musicians putting their own stamp on traditional styles. Transcending the boundaries of traditional folk music, the Bridgebuilders began working out their trademark sound, the energetic and musical interaction between six players with years of experience playing together, lending to tunes that are both danceable and listenable. Before too long, the Bridgebuilders incorporated influences from bluegrass, jazz, roots blues, and 20th century classical music, exciting crowds up and down the East Coast from Maryland to Maine and causing the outbreak of an embarrassing number of dance parties.

I am very proud to be a founding Bridgebuilder and to have contributed so heavily to the creative process that we have used. The sense of teamwork and cohesiveness allows the band to extend its musical fingertips together in a really cathartic and complete way. Working in waves to build soundscapes down and up, and a more modern touch especially recently still drives the group.