Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published September 6, 2019.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I’m from Syracuse. I came here for college at Nazareth, where I studied music. I had been looking to move to a city with a larger music scene without going too far away from home. I stuck around after college because of the music scene.

Did anything surprise you about Rochester when you first moved here?

There’s a lot more local flair. And there’s more energy in the music scene and local business scene.

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

My favorite place recently that embodies the local flair/ingenuity is Fifth Frame. I like that they are a good combination of high quality and approachability. Fifth Frame has that casual feel and draws people in. It’s 50/50 whether I order coffee or beer. Sometimes I get both in the same visit!

My favorite music venue is B-side in Fairport. I like that they’re really committed to running live music most nights of the week, bringing regional and local talents to a smaller part of the city.

What's the most unique or interesting event you've attended in Rochester?

Corn Hill Arts Fest is my favorite regular thing- it’s a little more tucked away. I like that you can discover new people at the Corn Hill Fest.

If you had $100 and two hours to kill in Rochester, how would you spend the money/time? 

I would probably hit up a few of my favorite breweries, and then go see a show. 

What's the best place to get a garbage plate? 

Dogtown is my favorite plate. It’s quick and easy. I used to live in that neighborhood too.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

Spending a lot of time in coffee shops and trying to stay active at the gym.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support? 

My band, the Byways, are working with the Out Alliance, so that’s a big one. I’ve seen the Out Alliance being a really instrumental part of changing a lot of hearts in schools through their really professional presentation. They do a Safe Zone training for schools and companies, with a certification at the end of it. They also host panel discussions with diverse groups and take student questions. They’re very open and they don’t get offended by questions. They encourage people to “ask questions even if you don’t know how to say it properly.”

What's one memory you have that perfectly captures Rochester for you?

This amazing band from Nashville called Roanoke were on tour and came through Rochester. They did a show at Abilene. One of their members was originally from Rochester and we had a mutual friend. We went out and saw the band and closed down the bar at Abilene, jamming on the patio. That night turned into a much longer friendship. Another musician friend of mine from Rochester went and stayed with them at their house in Nashville the following year. 

We got to be friends with a band because they were all musicians and they were supportive of our ambition. It built lasting friendships.

What makes Rochester unique?

I’ve always looked at Rochester like a bargain city. We have an incredible music scene, incredible food, incredible culture, and a very energized activist scene. Rochester always pops up on best breweries, restaurants, music cities, but it’s a small city. We have all the benefits of a big city with the livability of a small city.

What do you think could be improved?

We have an amazing urban culture that seems inaccessible to people that don’t live right in it. There’s tension between urban living and suburban living. I think we should be educating ourselves on everything the city has to offer. Swap your Starbucks out for an Ugly Duck cappuccino. Or your Wegmans beer run for a growler fill at Fifth Frame. 

If Rochester was a genre of music, what would it be?

It would be psychedelic folk rock. It’s just incredibly creative and diverse- we have everything from roots music to jazz to very experimental. 

Do you have any advice for up and coming musicians in Rochester?

Whenever I don’t know what to do next, I always go back to open mics. No matter where you’re at in your music career or musicianship, open mics are a great way to interact with other people in a supportive environment. Boulder Coffee is the most popular one, and you meet a lot of people. Lovin’ Cup’s open mic has a professional sound engineer running it, so you get to feel what it’s like to be performing on a stage.