Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published October 4, 2018.

Where are you originally from? How did you end up in Rochester at this time in your life?

I’m from Long Island originally—Hauppauge, New York. I went to RIT, where I studied computer science and biology. After college, I didn’t want to go back to Long Island, and a lot of my friends were sticking around Rochester, so staying just felt good and right.

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

I like all the cultural opportunities. The Little, the Eastman Theatre, Abilene. There’s good food and coffee. The East End feels like an urban neighborhood you might find in a bigger city. I live downtown and really enjoy it.

What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots? 

Gibbs and Selden, that Grove Place neighborhood. It has a lot of charm. I also like the fountain at Manhattan Square Park on a summer night; it’s a relaxing place to be. Washington Grove is a nice wooded area near downtown where the sound goes away, and you just hear birds, get to enjoy the well-worn trails, and take a forest bath. The Whispering Pines mini golf course up near Seabreeze is a great spot too; I like to go there once a year. The Public Market is another favorite place of mine. Everyone who’s new to Rochester should definitely go there.

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

Jazz Fest and Fringe Fest, everyone loves those. WALLTHERAPY is a big one too; I’ve been a supporter of that for a few years. I love how we bring art to the streets and color to drab walls. It’s good for everyone.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support? 

Foodlink is one I’ve supported for years. I also volunteer with WALLTHERAPY as an artist assistant. This past year, I worked with Nico Cathcart at the wall near Planned Parenthood. I got to help her with some painting and with fixing a circle. Sometimes I also end up being a chauffeur and gopher. Artists will say that they get a high level of support from WALLTHERAPY, especially as it compares with other mural festivals. We provide food, lodging, and materials—which is remarkable.

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

I’d spend the first hour at the Eastman House. I’m a photography-oriented person, and it’s interesting and historical. Then I’d go to Skylark and have meatballs and beer, then use the change to buy Cirque du Fringe tickets for me and as many friends as I can afford with the money I have leftover.

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

I spend more time in my studio recording music. Warm weather is a distraction from that. I’m always happy to be at my studio in the dead of winter.

What is your favorite Rochester memory? 

One of the coolest things I ever saw in Rochester was Circus Orange at Fringe a few years ago. Plasticiens Volants on Parcel 5 last year was amazing too.

When I got out of school and started to discover the city was an interesting time in my life. I had only been to the city once or twice, so I was just starting to find where the music was. It was a new wave for the city and a new era for me.

What makes Rochester unique? 

It’s not any one thing—it’s the confluence of things. Corporate giants that are now fading away are the ones the supported the cultural and educational institutions we now have. Those things are strong here. Our former prosperity has had a lasting impact.

What do you think could be improved? 

Big picture: I’m frustrated by the City’s approach to development. It seems that it’s driven by a few big developers, and the City waits around for developers to make decisions. There’s not enough opportunity for smaller projects. A good example of that is the Inner Loop. If I wanted to buy a small lot and build a home or locate my business there, I couldn’t. There’s not enough room for organic growth, for small businesses to take root and grow. The recent parking change to extend the hours for paid street parking (that was later reversed) also shows the City’s disconnect from real life. I would love to see development along the front of Main St., leading up to an inviting green space, where people can play frisbee, frolic, and listen to live music.

What are some small ways we can all get involved in making Rochester a better place? 

Get out of the house. So many people stay home and complain that there’s nothing to do. Read I Heart ROC, and try what people are suggesting! Just go try that one thing that everyone mentions that you haven’t tried yet.

If Rochester was a person, who would it be? 

Rochester would be Seth Rogen. He’s got good intentions, but he screws up a lot. You know, charming but flawed.

We hear you're an avid doodler. Tell us more. What inspires you?

My inspirations are varied and often political. The world is a crazy place, and I have a very active imagination. I sit down, start drawing, and something emerges. I usually begin by making a mark and letting it trigger an image in my own mind. In 2013, I doodled every day for a year, and posted them all on Tumblr along the way. I do it every week now. I’m turning some of them into T-shirts so I can monetize my art and share it with a wider audience in the real world.

Tell me about your involvement in the Rochester music scene.

I’ve been in a band called Woody Dodge for about 30 years on and off. We continue to play all around the city and outside the city. We’re working on a new record that should be released in early 2019. Crab Apples is another band that I play in infrequently. You can find my music online. You can find my own writing and recordings on Soundcloud.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to Rochester and looking to get to know the area?

You’ve gotta know the neighborhoods or places where you’ll feel at home. It depends on your background, your experiences, and what you’re looking for. Get to the beach. The beach is alright. The river, too—Turning Point Park is amazing, you can bike all the way to the lakeshore.