Tropical Australian Stinger Research Unit (TASRU) is Thom Grathwol's brainchild. He was one of the first artists to release music through (now defunct) Rack & Ruin Records in the spring of 2008. His super-fun indie pop-rock tunes have hit a lot of hearts big these past few years, and we're always looking forward to more.

I was lucky enough to share the stage with Thom on July 2nd, 2010, at 1419 in Minneapolis.

Check out the split non-profit EP we put out called がんばれ! (GOOD LUCK!).

Organist, harmonica player, guitarist, songwriter, etc. The list goes on. Lightnin' has been a working musician since before I picked up my first guitar. He spent the past year playing organ for The Scott Holt band. He's played with names like Eric Gales, and Buddy Guy. He's also a great friend.

I paired up with Joe in the fall of 2009 to perform a show on November 21st under my former moniker, Elm. Couldn't have done it without him.

I predict many more collaborations are to come.

Singer, soulful explorer, Kalen is someone you have to meet to believe someone this cool could exist. Not only has he got the voice of an astronaut, and the heart of a cowboy, but the also the spirit of... maybe a sparrow? Something fun, and free like that.

He opened up and sang harmonies with me on November 21st, 2009.

Looking forward to what the future has in store for us.

Another old buddy from the days of Hidden Roots (the high school band), Collin went to Hennepin Technical College and got his certificate in Audio Production. He's helped me record a few demo tracks. He also plays a wicked Fender Precision Bass. Real nice.

Collin played at 1419 on July 2nd of 2010 with Jack, Thom, and I.

Also hoping to cut a record with this dude sometime.

An old friend who I've spent countless hours with ever since we played in our first band together in high school. Jack plays guitar, the KAOSS pad, some percussion, and sings.

Jack also played with me at 1419 on July 2nd of 2010, at The Creature Club show. It was bangin'.

Writer and director of This Deserted House, Arij asked me to compose original acoustic music for the experimental shadow show in the early months of 2010. The songs, and the show for that matter, centered around poems from Shel Silverstein's Where The Sidewalk Ends. It was an amazing experience.

Arij also sang back-up vocals at the Elm show, on November 21st, 2009, to much applause.

Not to mention, she's got style.

I've only ever played one song with Chris, but it was sick. He sat in on drums while his older brother Thom sang his own song, Friends Obnoxious from TASRU's El Capitan Del Sol album. I just sat, and played guitar, watching these bros blow the room up.

Chris' band, Magpie Disko Threat is super tight too. I'll try to get a link up to his stuff sometime.

Having known Andres since my senior year of high school, and knowing that he had played percussion for a number of years, he was the first person I went to when seeking out a drummer for the Elm show in November of 2009. Super silly dude, just looks like a beast behind his beautiful DW kit.

Writer and director of Waterbox Theater, Justin asked me to compose original electronic music for the underwater puppet show that performed at venues 1419, and Open Eye Figure Theater. We had a good time working together, and it was a fantastic learning experience for me.

Always pluckin' around on some string instrument, long-haired, smiley Ben accompanied me on cello in performing my composed score for Arij's This Deserted House. I'm pretty sure he improvised every night, and I especially remember looking over at him several times, both of us smiling at whatever had just happened. Full of surprises.