WTF is this blog

Welcome fellow internet traveler, wayward person in search of porn, or creepy internet guy looking to lure other creepy internet guy acting like a 15 yr old girl into a chat.  What you get instead is a blog based on gigs that have been played by your blogger.


I suppose I should state why I'm doing this, where I hope it leads, and what you can expect.  After all, it would certainly help maintain the focus of my readers if you are at lease a smidge entertained.  I'm writing here for 2 purposes; 1) Convey thoughts about the gig's I've played  2) Have a journal of my travels, people, and times associated with playing live music.  I may review some cd's at some point, but the main focus will be summarizing gigs that I've played, with various bands, so I can learn, grow, and remember some fun times in music.


About me:  I'm 32 years old and have been playing harmonica for nearly 20 years.  It has been an honor to play with some of the best around.  I play full time with The Shibs, a band that is classified as "Americana" but who the hell knows that that is?!?!  We are largely influenced by Ben Harper, The Black Keys, Jon Butler Trio, and Coldplay... ok maybe not Coldplay.  We have been on 3 national tours, and thus why I am starting this blog.  To remember where we have played, and the times I personally have had making music with them, and many others.  Want to read about the band?  Check out forgivetherain.blogspot.com  the band's blog; or www.theshibs.com.  When I'm not jamming with The Shibs, I've been more than inclined to sit in with other bands.  Subatomic, Cool Front, Blue Olives, Westside Andy and Mel Ford, Paul Filipowicz and many others from Jazz to Bluegrass, to Hard Rock. To that end, you can occasionally find me sittin on a bar stool playing some tunes with my good friend Bryan Moll in an acoustic setting. I can blog and write all day, but never express what I can to you through music. Thus the title... The Sound of a Soul.

I am admittingly a horrible self promoter and even worse at bragging about my sound. Everything has it's voice, a soul if you will, my job is not to judge, but to help you feel. If that is remembering, or trying to forget, I seek to play though emotion and power. I have been told by others that I am quite unique in my playing; I'm just honored they felt something when I played. Combining looping, and a wide range of effects, I try to transport us to a sonic world, far from our grounded selves... and hope that along the way you like what you see....

My nickname, "Mouse", was given to me by my father when I was a very young child. I ran before I walked, and squeaked when I slept, thus I was named Mouse. I was proud before, and since his passing in 2006 from Lou Gherigs Disease (ALS), I've worn it as a badge of honor.

Which brings us to The Mouse Effect. The title of the blog, a page on Facebook, etc etc. Mouse Effect in my mind isn't a thing that you can put your finger on. The Effect itself is that moment you hear something in a song that makes you want to cheer, cry, or just moves you. The wave of emotion that comes over you, that shakes you down to your very soul. The Mouse Effect.

Don't fight it, kick back, breathe it in, let your mind be free... enjoy the ride folks.