January 2015

 

It’s weird. Keith and I started this Crabwise thing 10 years ago. We were in high school at the time. Keith was feverishly working out his musical skills with the Bass and a host of percussion instruments. I had let my guitar collect dust and was more interested in the listening to and fandom of music. I had a bulletin board full of concert stubs, Album covers and small catalog sheets found in the inside of my favorite DIY indie-label releases.

 For me, it was obvious, I loved music and I wanted to be apart of it. I didn’t have the inclination to be a musician, but I did like organizing and promoting things. So, I did what I could. Printing flyers for upcoming concerts of friends bands, posting posters and even burning and sharing as many CDs as I possibly could. I enjoyed this tremendously and the only thing I got out of it was being part of the scene.

 Why I choose to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth to further my Music-business career as opposed to going through an actual music business program: I don’t know. But, I did enroll at UMD with the resolution that I was going onto the music business.

 Unexpectedly or expectantly, UMD was the perfect place for me. My first two years were amazing. I had become super involved in all sorts of aspects in the Duluth Music scene. Crabwise was thriving, I was booking concerts at the University and was hosting a radio show on the college radio station. My grades, however were abysmal.

 

It was becoming apparent I was going to need to buckle down if I wanted to actually receive a degree also there was a nagging suspicion that all the pro-bono work I was doing wasn’t actually ever going to amount to a living. So, I pulled back, and eventually Crabwise, the record company, promotional company and distribution company went dormant.

 I have done some cool things since then; earned a degree in economics, developed a career in finance/economics, spent a few years in Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer and married a beautiful woman named Ashley.

 There exists, in me, a passion for music and an inclination to help people in the capacities I have been blessed with. I tried doing this before, this is the second time I have tried to bring Crabwise out of its dormant state. I think this time is different. This time I think I am more realistic with what is possible and this time I have more people on board for this endeavour.

 Crabwise is a special thing. It’s a community of amazing individuals and talented artists. It’s a forum that inspires people to stretch themselves and see what they are capable of. It’s a place where ideas are shared and musical prose are carved out. It is a thing that is able to assist a lot of people and those that are apart of it, are quite proud of.

I want that thing to live-on. I want it in my life. and I want to support it in any way I am able.