Fundamental Elements

Hump Day 10: About Dustin

dustin October 14th, 2009
2 comments

1.  What’s your favorite color?

2.  What was the last movie you watched?
Monsters vs Aliens.  I’m normally a fan of animated features, but I don’t recommend it.  The plot is thin at best, and the only humor comes in the form of Seth Rogan’s contrived dialog.

3.  What was the first gig you ever played with Fundamental Elements?
The first FE gig I ever played was on August 31, 2006, at 12th & Porter in Nashville, TN.  I sat in with the guys for two nights to test the waters and see if they wanted to find a keyboardist to join the band.  I was completely freaked out and in over my head.  But, as seems to be the case, it was a great learning opportunity for me.  Shortly after that, they did hire someone.  It wasn’t until almost a year later (August 4, 2007) that I would join them once again for a private party in Bunker Hill, IL.  And we’ve been playing together ever since.

4.  What’s your favorite van pastime?
Lately, I’ve been stowing myself in the back of the van with my laptop and MIDI keyboard.  I find that driving time to be the most productive songwriting time for me.  Otherwise, I like sitting shotgun playing DJ with my oversized iPod (AKA my MBP).  My music selection may annoy everyone else, but you’d have to ask them.

5.  What music has recently played on your “iPod”?
Well, the last 10 songs played in my iTunes are (FYI: I typically listen in shuffle mode so these are completely unfiltered):

1. You’re Not Alone – Fundamental Elements (This is a sweet new FE demo, and you’re going to love it.)
2. New York, New York – Ryan Adams (This song still carries a sentimental tone for me.)
3. Go Tell It On the Mountain – Valley Church (This is an arrangement I did for a church Christmas album.)
4. 5 Words – David Kroll (This is a song Luke, David, and I wrote a few months ago and demoed in the Groove Kitchen.  I’ve got to have an outlet for my country yearnings.)
5. Reset – MUTEMATH (Now, this is a show I will be skipping because I will be at a sweet FE show at Felix’s in STL on Friday, October 23)
6. Those Sweet Words – Norah Jones (Such a chill song.)
7. Common People – William Shatner (I refuse to call it kitsch because there are so many brilliant moments on this album, one of which is this Pulp cover.)
8. ‘Til Summer Comes Around – Keith Urban (This is probably my favorite track off of his new record.  I love the depth and atmosphere of the song.)
9. Pas Si Simple – Yann Tiersen (This is from the Amélie soundtrack.  While I haven’t seen the movie, I have enjoyed the complexity Yann creates from everyday items [like a typewriter] to make interesting music.)
10. Nobody but You – Fundamental Elements (I don’t really sit around playing FE songs just to hype up my Last.fm account.  My daughter enjoys cranking it up and dancing crazy sometimes.)

If you were to actually look at my “Top 25 Most Played,” you’d find a lot of Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.  When my laptop is open around my daughter, she is either requesting FE or Mary Poppins.

6.  What drives you as a musician?
I started playing piano when I was in 1st grade, but I hated the practicing and theory homework.  It wasn’t until I began to move beyond the written notes on the page (much to my teacher’s frustration) that I began to see music as more than a chore.  Songwriting became a passion of mine.  I’ve gone through different cycles as a writer, but I’ve found playing with the guys in Fundamental Elements to be very inspiring.  It’s a rare thing to find yourself in the midst of such talented people.

7.  What do you do when you’re not touring with Fundamental Elements?
When we’re not on the road, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family.  We love taking advantage of St. Louis’ amazing zoo and science center.  My daughter and I spend at least one morning a week at the library.

I also spend time working at the Groove Kitchen with Luke in Greenville, IL.  We work with clients on producing professional recordings and demoing Fundamental Elements songs.  I enjoy the challenge of helping someone realize his/her vision for a song by bringing it to life in the studio.

8.  Do you enjoy any activities besides playing music?
I enjoy playing tennis and casual cycling.  I also love to hike.  I’m an avid reader of political suspense thrillers and Louis L’Amour westerns.

9.  Has anyone ever told you that you remind them of someone famous?
Growing up, random strangers would stop me in stores and ask me if anyone had ever told me I looked like Macaulay Culkin.  Some would even ask me to do the aftershave scene.  As an adult, I’ve had a Kevin Bacon comparison thrown my way a couple of times.

10.  If you were trapped on a deserted island and you could only eat one food, what would it be?
That’s funny, I think Luke just recently asked us all this question in the van.  I believe I answered “fruit pizza.”  I stand by my answer.