I have been a musician and songwriter my entire life and have participated in various bands and solo projects. In 2005, I acquired an Associate of Applied Science in Music Business and minor in Songwriting at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN. After my Music Business degree I gained several years of promotions and marketing experience working with major record labels at Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Island Def Jam. Working in the music industry gave me valuable experience that not only advanced my current resume and professional skills, but also allowed me to manage and promote my own music with some degree of commercial success. 

During the years of 2008-2014 I put out three professionally recorded albums, received radio play at AAA stations, achieved national and local press (check out this article in the Pittsburgh City Paper), successfully placed a self-produced music video on Fuse TV, opened for national acts, performed concerts in New York City and Chicago, and even caught the attention of a few major record labels.

In all of my musical projects I have acted mainly as the lead singer and main or co-songwriter, but also played the guitar and keyboards. My most recent band, Falling Andes, is one I am most proud of. You can read more about Falling Andes at our bandcamp page, but recommend the Pittsburgh City Paper article, Falling Andes comes back after early Internet hit with EP years in the making, for a more comprehensive summary, that also serves as a good period piece for where we last left off with the group. Please enjoy some of the music below from this project on your favorite streaming service.

In 2014, I stopped pursuing my dream of music for various personal and professional reasons. I realized many years later that this was a mistake and that writing and performing music was an integral part of who I am. Thus, I now consider myself both an astrophysicist and singer-songwriter. One day, I may even blend astronomy into my songwriting and music production. My newest music project is under the music name Conner Eko. Check out my debut single, SINK, as Conner Eko, on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other popular music streaming services!

New Music Project: Conner Eko

I’m excited to announce my new music project. Under the artist name, Conner Eko, I released my debut single, “SINK”, on Aug. 3, 2021 (SoundCloud to listen on right). I also have other releases that have since released or are upcoming. See LinkTree below to learn/listen more.

Artist/Album/Release: Falling Andes / Castlevania / 25 February 2014
Info: Recorded at Audible Images (Pittsburgh, PA) by Stan Kleja and Frank Soriano. Additional recording at Falling Andes' home studio and Frank Soriano's home studio. Produced by Falling Andes and Alex Smolinski.  Mixed by Alex Smolinski (Butch Vig's Emperors of Wyoming, Lola Ray, Gym Class Heroes, Nada Surf).  Mastered by Andy VanDette (Beastie Boys, David Bowie, Atomic Tom). 
Suggested Tracks: Castlevania, Follow Me, and Sunshine

Artist/Album/Release: Falling Andes / Frantic / 9 August 2011
Info: Falling Andes debut album.  Produced by Falling Andes and recorded and mixed by Dave Hidek of Tree Lady Studios (Pittsburgh, PA).  The first single, San Francisco, quickly garnered attention from music blogs, print publications, and college and AAA radio stations.  The title track, Frantic, is the second single off the record.
Suggested Tracks: San Francisco, Frantic, and Break Me

Info: Below are additional songs and music videos. The stop-animation music video for Rabbit Hole was featured on Fuse TV in 2008.