rough sketch: nic rodriguez

yay! today just so happens to be my 6 year anniversary of wedded bliss... so what better artist to feature than my amazingly talented husband?! gosh, the guy is unreal. i can't tell you how many times other musicians have come up to me, sharing their admiration for him + his talent - telling me how incredible he is + one of the best musicians they've ever worked with. pardon me while i gush a little bit....

he has played on dozens of records, huge stages around the world, + has had the chance to work with some of the most renowned producers, but remains the most kind + humble guy i know.... yeah, i snatched him up as quickly as possible. ;)

love him so much + i'm inspired by him daily... + so glad i can introduce you guys, hope you're inspired for the week! :)

[husband on the right, playing with phil wickham at skull church. photo taken by kelli trontel.]

q. // when did you start making music + what prompted you to start?

[ a ] I started on piano, focusing on classical music from about age 8 until I was 17. My parents were musicians and my dad played drums for a living, so I grew up watching and listening to him play, and listening to the records my folks were in to. Dad played a lot of Jazz, R&B and Funk, but he also loved the Beatles. So I was exposed to a lot of different stuff. He taught me how to play Beatles songs and he eventually borrowed his friend's Fender Bullet Bass for me when I was 12. My twin Jules had started playing drums, our buddy played guitar and I had a bass. That was my garage band. In jr. high and high school I played a lot at my church and in my own bands. Sometime during high school my dad was playing on a record and he recommended me to the producer to play bass. Meeting those people ended up leading to a career in playing and recording music.

q. // what inspires you + where do you find it?

[ a ] Good songs and melodies always inspire, but I think seeing people that are passionate about (and really good at) whatever it is they do... film makers, producers, songwriters, artists, great singers. Also the up and comings, kids that are obsessed with their instrument or whatever creative thing it is that they are into, that's super inspiring!

q. // when you're not picking up an instrument, what's your favorite thing to do?

[ a ] I love being with my wife, her name is @thornandsparrow.

I'm sort of obsessed with musical/recording gear, reading about how people use it, and the technology behind it (nerd). I have a dirtbike, and I love sitting in coffee shops hanging with @thornandsparrow :)

fill in the blank:

i have a penchant for making espresso drinks, if I could I might do that all day. 

[l-r: the husband, his brother + guitar player matt, jack joseph puig, + singer/songwriter adam watts.

[husband at anaheim stadium for harvest crusade.]

isn't he the best?! :)

goodnight friends!
xo,
ashley