I've written songs most of my life.

I started playing guitar at 17, formed a band early on; eventually formed The Silent Workers. We were regulars on the Chicago club scene in the 1990s and performed live on radio stations such as WHPK (University of Chicago), WRDP (De Paul), WZRD (Northeastern IL University)

We recorded an EP, good fate and a CD, Quark, and managed national and local airplay as well.

I recorded my first solo CD, This Is Worth Something with the stage name TAFKAD in 1999.

I Kid You Not was my second solo recording; I received airplay all around the globe on that one. It was the first time I could spend so much time in the studio. Some of it was really experimental for me. I never had so many tracks; still it was a bit empty. I wanted it to be a more quiet album— less guitar— and it was!

The new album Messages from the Ionosphere has a fuller, livelier sound... STYLES VARY.

People wonder who I listen to: Music from all around.

My favorite music includes that of: Bob Dylan, Mike Doughty, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, N.E.R.D., Big Boi, Jimi Hendrix, Eminem, Son House, Isis, Joanna Newsom— This doesn't mean I think I sound like any of them, though.