Copyright 2009 Dustin Schmidt Recorded at Certain Sparks by Randall Sena in Lompoc, CA. Dustin Schmidt is a singer/songwriter/professional dog musher currently living in Seattle, WA. His first release, simply titled "Demo EP", has been described as a strange mix of Woody Guthrie and Nine Inch Nails. The songs pay homage to the long dead gods of folk and blues while being filled with lyrics that are dark, poetic, and often filled with regret. Dustin left school in 2001 after watching is father die of cancer, and reading Thoreau and Jack Kerouac for the first time in one month. Determined to discover a life worth living he traveled around, working odd jobs until he happened upon a position caring for 180 sled dogs outside of Jackson Hole, WY. He had always played music, writing songs, and playing in bands all through high school, but it was put on the back burner as he to devoted his time to things like dog psychology and winter wilderness survival. "I sort of went crazy for a while, putting all of my energy into something other than myself is a perfect way to forget about discovering the meaning in being alive." says Dustin, "spending time alone in the wilderness gives you time to think and not think at the same time." In 2008 Dustin was drawn back to music. After 4 years in Wyoming, one summer in Alaska and just after finishing his first major sled dog race, a family emergency caused him to decide to come back to California and live the conventional life for a year. In this time he picked up his guitar and began to write new songs. After playing at a few open mic nights and recieving good reviews he decided to record a 5 song demo at a local recording studio to be used in booking some better gigs. These 5 songs, which were recorded in one take only, were later released in the previously mentioned EP in early 2009. Currently Dustin is settling into his new home of Seattle, WA after spending the summer working as a dogsled guide on the Denver Glacier outside of Skagway, AK. He will be spending the winter working on music and forming a band to accompany him. For more info on Dustin, his music and his life, as well as updated tour dates this fall and demos of new songs, visit www.myspace.com/dustinschmidtmusic or dustinschmidtmusic.com.