AJ Santana to perform in The Woodlands 

How has the local music scene shaped you as an artist?

They say if you move to a place where no one knows you, you can be anyone you want to be. Houston gave me the space to explore that. In the cover world, I’m surrounded by a "merry band" of master-class performers who share notes and back each other up without hesitation. In the "original" world, I like to think of myself as a planet with massive gravitational pull calibrated for grit, wizardry and exceptional good looks. It’s the only way to explain the journey and how my team came together. I didn't realize that being a multi-genre artist could be a total game-changer until I met my crew here. Teamwork is the only way the dream works, and Houston provided the community to make that dream a reality.

Where do you usually find inspiration for your songs?

Like every songwriter, I have a notes app full of half-baked phrases, but my real inspiration comes from the instrument. I wander on the acoustic guitar or piano until my ear tells me to stay. I try to "bake" the sound into my hands so my mind can be free to hear the melodies. Once my hands are on autopilot, the emotion of the song reveals itself. I write about moments and feelings rather than trying to write a perfect story. I’d rather connect with the listener through a shared emotion than a perfectly structured narrative.

Is there a song in your catalog that feels especially personal? Why?

People often ask how I remember three hours of lyrics a night. The answer is simple: I’m a madman who obsesses over these songs because I love them. Every song feels personal, whether I wrote it or I’m covering it. If I had to pick, "Round Here" by Counting Crows is the cover that hits home every time. For my original work, it’s "And My Pride" (available on all streaming platforms). It captures a specific vulnerability that defines who I am as an artist.

• June 5, 6 p.m.
• The Goose's Acre, 21 Waterway Ave., The Woodlands
• www.goosesacre.com