I've Never Been to Denmark
Released September 1, 2022
My tribute to the Danish band Kashmir. I heard them first in 2003 or 2004 and was instantly hooked. Great songs. Great arrangements. Original. A while back I decided to spend some time recording a handful of their songs with just vocals and acoustic guitar, highlighting the excellent songwriting. A few minor overdubs, but otherwise stripped down to the basics of one guitar and one voice. So, here it is. I’ve Never Been to Denmark – my tribute to the songwriting of Kasper Eistrup, Mads Tunebjerg, Asger Techau and Henrik Lindstrand.
Greiskāl East: 1995 4-Track Recordings
Released September 18, 2020
A borrowed Fostex 250 4-track recorder and Yamaha RX-5 drum machine; some cheap guitars; a cheap keyboard. No fancy equipment or studio. A mixture of 1980s college rock, shoegaze, and Britpop—all through the lens of the American Midwest. A handful of tapes were distributed to friends and family. This release is cleaned up and mastered, but otherwise the same exact recordings.
Available on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, YouTube and all digital platforms.
The Koti Sessions EP
Released May 1, 2020
Mastered by Paul Mahern.
Recorded during 2018-20, The Koti Sessions EP is a collection of mostly acoustic songs drawing on elements of folk, Americana, and even classical. This project has been a slow burning labor of love, recorded exclusively at home. The word “koti” is Finnish for home. As the world entered this strange (and necessary) realm of lockdowns and social distancing in 2020, this notion of home became ever more poignant. It was finished with a new sense of urgency.
Available on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, YouTube and all digital platforms. Limited edition CD available via Bandcamp.
“Alibi” - Single
Released January 31, 2018
Song written by Jake Smith.
Mastered by Paul Mahern.
Great music and musicians can be found in any place at any time. I happened to grow up in Indiana, and moved away for college in 1991 and for real in 1995. My cover of Jake Smith’s “Alibi” is a nod to some of the local music of that era that continues to influence me to this day: Arson Garden, Zero Boys, Vulgar Boatmen, Mysteries of Life, Velo-Deluxe, Antenna, El Nino, Toxic Reasons…
I always loved this song. It was recorded by both the Mysteries of Life and Velo-Deluxe in the mid-1990s. My take on it: a reflection on being true to yourself and to the people you love in the midst of life’s changing circumstances.
Available on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, YouTube and all digital platforms.
Few and Far Between
Released November 10, 2017
Debut album including five original songs, a Smiths’ cover, and two covers of Mike Westhues songs.
Bass: Juan Maldonado
Drums: Adriel Ferguson
Keyboards: Dan Acuña
Saxophone: Mark Zaleski
Produced by Juan Maldonado and Jukka Westhues
Recorded by Juan Maldonado at JM Studio Productions
Mixed & mastered by Kenny Lewis at Mixed Emotions Music
Available on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp, YouTube and all digital platforms. Limited edition CD available via Bandcamp.