A car parked on a grassy hillside with a horse standing behind it, under a cloudy sky, with some trees in the background.

The Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is my music project. I’ve been writing and playing music for most of my life — in different bands, on different instruments, on stages big and small. Making music has always come naturally, but finishing and releasing it was the part I struggled with.

The Pinewood Derby is where that changes. The first release is a self-titled 5-track EP, coming soon.

Influences draw from both classic and modern sounds: the anthemic urgency of Jimmy Eat World, the grounded songwriting of Tom Petty, the melodic approach of Pinegrove, and the cinematic textures of Cannons and Say Lou Lou.

The Sound is built on percussion — toms, shakers, and other organic elements drive the rhythm. Folk touches like banjo add an acoustic edge, while crunchy, overdriven guitars and gritty bass tones add weight. Synth pads and melodies expand the atmosphere, and soulful organs bring depth and warmth. The result lands between alternative rock and folk, with shades of dream-pop.

Black and white photo of a person wearing a cap, singing into a microphone, and playing an electric bass guitar.
Musicians performing on stage with guitar and drums under colorful lighting.
Musicians performing live on stage, one playing a bass guitar and another singing into a microphone, with a dark background and stage decorations.