Trovador is a really personal record for me. It came together during quieter moments, when I was thinking a lot about time, memory, and the way things change as you move through life. I wanted these songs to feel simple and honest — nothing overworked, nothing forced — just music that leaves room to breathe.

I leaned into acoustic sounds because they felt right for the stories I was trying to tell. Folk and country influences show up naturally, but the focus was always on the songwriting. A lot of these songs were written quickly, in moments where I didn’t want to overthink things. I tried to keep that feeling intact when recording them.

This album is about perspective — watching life move by, feeling stuck sometimes, and trying to make sense of where you are while everything else keeps going. Some songs are about longing, some about confusion, and some are just about sitting with questions instead of trying to solve them. Much of this music was shaped by the heartbreak of loss and the cherished memories of a life shared—because of that, this record is dedicated to my friend, Billy.

I hope when you listen, it feels warm, familiar, and human — like something you can come back to when you need a little space to think.

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The beautiful album cover: The art for this album was created by the amazing Irina Fischer.  Her artwork is absolutely stunning and adds so much life to the album. Dive in and take a closer look at her fantastic work—you'll be blown away! Check out on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.fischer01/

 

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Irina's Art Page

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The album begins with:

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Can You Stay For A While-
This is the opener for the album. It’s gentle, but it carries some weight. At its core, it’s about longing — wanting someone to stay, to listen, to be present. There’s something simple and human about that feeling. I started the album with this song because I wanted it to be an invitation to be open, vulnerable, and honest.

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Wake Me Up-
I think of this song as an emotional starting point for the album. There’s urgency in it (the scale going up at the beginning and throughout the song) but the acoustic foundation keeps it grounded. Lyrically it’s reaching for hope during darker times. It comes from that feeling of being stuck in a troubled place and searching for something — a sign, a spark — that helps you move forward again.

   

What’s That-
This song comes from curiosity more than anything else— letting sound and rhythm lead without overthinking it. Just with percusion and drums, I was  trying something new just to see where it would go. I wanted it to feel loose and structured at the same time, try to figure that out.

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I Don’t Know Why-
This one is very introspective for me. The lyrics are about an inner struggle and self-alienation. It comes from confusion and repetition — going over the same thoughts again and again, trying to understand something that won’t fully make sense. A recent loss and what comes after influenced this song.
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What’s Wrong-
This track is very still and open. I didn’t want to rush anything here. It feels like sitting alone with your thoughts and letting them exist without needing answers. There’s vulnerability in that — accepting sadness instead of fighting it. For me, this song is about being okay with not knowing what’s wrong or how to fix it, and learning to sit with those feelings instead.

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Little Time-
This one started with a feeling I couldn’t shake—the kind where you’re waiting for a response that never comes. Your mind starts filling in the blanks, and the silence gets louder the longer it stretches. It’s about a friend I couldn’t get to in time, and that helpless space between knowing something’s wrong and not being able to do anything about it. I didn’t want to spell everything out, just let the song sit in that tension and carry it.

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A Different Point of View-
This song is really about finding something bigger then yourself and then realizing it might not exist. Could be it God, fate? It's what you would see in the last pages of your book. 
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Where Have You Been-
This one has more movement to it, especially rhythmically. There’s a steady push underneath the song that keeps it moving forward. Lyrically, it’s about a musician/songwriter grinding through doubt and repetition. Someone who is trying to stay motivated and hoping someone hears them and cares. Honestly, this can be about anyone just doing what they do everyday.

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Main Street-
This song, to me, embodies the essence of the entire album. It’s simple and grounded, and I wanted to allow the narrative to take center stage without overshadowing it. When I was younger, my mom and I would take the bus downtown to pay her bills. I couldn’t help but wonder what people were doing, living better lives than us. I used the window as a metaphor for how life was moving without us, how she made sacrifices for me, and how selfish I was as a little boy. It took me 50 years to realize this. Life outside felt hectic and fast-paced, just what I wanted at that age. After so much time you become the quiet observer—noticing how much goes unsaid and how quickly time slips by.

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