How to Sing Like Tilian Pearson. Dance Gavin Dance (w/Jon Mess) Surprising High Mix, Brutal Screams!

[@echi-sama1844]

Hey, I've been practicing how to do the Jon Mess style of vocals and here are some tips for someone who wants to try it: 1. He's not screaming, you can see there's voice in there (Meat Fetish by Secret Band is a good example) so it's more of a voice with distortion. This means you shiould practice adding voice to your screams, a good way to start is with Chris video of Slipknot and singing some song by them or Linkin Park. 2. Jon is really nasal, he makes the sound go above his nose as you can notice in the death star album (especially in People You Know) or in DTBM II. 3. Relax your throat, you can see him concentratring A LOT in the diaphragm on live videos, the only times when he uses his neck is to add a bit more of voice to the distortion. 4. Get weird with your face, he choses words with fun pronunciation to play around with them. 5. To do the lows you have to be a bit more chesty, Say Hi is a song where he uses this a lot. 6. Know when to breath, cuase he's really fast and if you run out of air you'll hurt yourself. Listen to live versions of the songs and pay attention to the moments he stops to breath.

[@chrisliepe]

NICE observations!!!!

[@quocbinh6674]

It's yell scream i believe

[@yhenmohra8587]

Very cool! The best explanation of Jon Mess vocals i've seen so far.

[@stackems666]

Except for the fact that Will Swan is doing the screams in the death star album?? Jon wasn't in the band when that album was recorded EDIT I was wrong, thanks for correcting me echi- sama1

[@echi-sama1844]

@@stackems666 That's Happiness, not the death star

[@josephpatrick1676]

I have never, and I mean NEVER, heard anybody nail Tillian’s singing so well by anybody else. You’re absolutely incredible!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@mykameeks9009]

Andy Cizek can do it flawlessly.

[@asapvarg]

Victor Borba does it well too

[@mic8040]

@@mykameeks9009 debatable

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

Another high singer with a light voice: Anthony Green from Circa Survive and Saosin.

[@chrisliepe]

oh ya... good ideas!

[@kbell726]

Yes Anthony Green and Jonny Craig!

[@davidholmes3619]

You forgot The Sound of Animals Fighting.

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

@@davidholmes3619 Didn't know about the project. Will check it out.

[@davidholmes3619]

@@user-oy7gz5bf2h Enjoy! By far my favorite Anthony Green project, aside from Saosin's first EP.

[@bond-vaga-bond4266]

I REALLY want to see one on Jonny Craig. Especially the type of rasp he uses like on the "where are they now? They left me to drown" lines in "Jesus Died For You... Not Me."

[@chrisliepe]

Great suggestions! I'll add him to the list

[@pieceofdebri]

SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@alexvaldivia1855]

Yessssss pls

[@soulreaperx7x]

Johnny Craig adds that rasp because his voice is fucked up. He doesn't do it on purpose. Listen to his really early stuff with DGD mainly Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean. No rasp at all.

[@ghastlyshimmer]

I've suggested this months ago xdxd

[@unLUCKY95]

The thing that amazes me about Jon's vocals is how relaxed he looks while doing it. I saw DGD live earlier in the year and most of the time he doesn't even look like he's using a lot of power to achieve the sounds. He definitely has a very unique approach to screaming, in fact sometimes it doesn't even sound like the typical scream, it just kind of sounds like he's talking in a very harsh voice.

[@ezpz4659]

That's why I love DGD. The screaming is almost SOOTHING. It's insane and only DGD hits it. Not a fan of screaming in music besides JON THE MESS

[@Cobalt985]

Yep, Jon himself says that it's not a "typical" screaming but something more like a yell.

[@ethan-lq1xg]

It blows my mind how Tilian's voice can produce so many harmonics (I think that's the correct term) when he sings. Great video!!!

[@chrisliepe]

I agree... thanks!

[@MrDemolidor666]

I usually dislike this types of video, because they seam so unatural and out of my place to even try to sing, but hearing you playing with your voice and reacting to the video is relatable and made me want to sing! great video buddy!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Adenu]

chris, you're the best! thank you for analysing these bands!

[@chrisliepe]

My pleasure!

[@GafRaz]

LETS GO. I thought you’d never tackle this one.

[@chrisliepe]

Took me awhile... but I did it :)

[@christianstorm8854]

Chris brings the heat with every show and he continuously throws you a sick curve ball when you think you’ve figured it out. Just watch his spoon man cover!

[@STUDIO7Collectibles]

@@chrisliepe hell yeah nice surprise. DGD is my all time favourite band.

[@DnAfilms405]

Man, your lesson are insanely helpful but your personality and open mind to different kinds of music make it so much easier to learn what youre teaching. It's so obvious how passionate you are about this and its more than just a job to you, good shit.

[@MatteoThePotato]

I've been waiting for this!! Thank you

[@JoseTorres-kg9ou]

Seen them live in a ballroom, they're both power houses. The way everything echoed was amazing and insane.

[@FellowPanda]

Your voice is so powerful. I've just gotten into self taught singing and music theory and it haunts me the want to sing like tillian. Thank you for these lessons and I hope to learn with someone like you one day.

[@breckenphillips6517]

11:10 If Lemongrab from adventure time did vocals in DGD

[@Judasangel19]

i swear him trying to hit the jon vocals was amusing, i know he was trying to avoid growling as jon does, but god it was funny

[@alerionundead]

Bro I'm dead I was chopping up and had to check the comments for anyone that noticed 😂

[@mangoo7629]

Never clicked this fast Edit: Thank you so much, Chris. The way you approach distorted vocals is the way I accidentally discovered them myself (and by far healthiest, because you don't try so hard to get tensed up) - by not being serious, not caring about what it sounds (or looks) like, and that's when I really started making a progress vocally. I learn so much more from your videos as well as see something I've discovered myself, being like "ah, so that's what it is!" Keep up the greatness!

[@jaytriestoplay3647]

Dude the whole yodel type thing literally got my voice where I could never understand to put it, I’ve spent years trying to learn and somehow you blew my friggin mind with such a simple concept of the placement….. I’m so jazzed I’m totally working on this today and I’m having the time of my life singing Jon’s parts!!!

[@codyestes6596]

This dude is an actual legend, I've never seen a video of yours but DGD is one of my favorite bands and just happened to type in "how to sing like Tilian" on a whim. So happy I did. Subbed

[@chrisliepe]

Glad to have you here! Thanks for the sub!

[@ilBaccello]

This was so useful to unlock my thinking and feeling on how to get to that light mix... Thanks so much for introducing Tilian and dissecting his style with your sensation-based approach :-)

[@chrisliepe]

You’re welcome!

[@connorrayy5272]

I would want nothing more than seeing Rory Rodriguez from Dayseeker on one of these. He is my favorite vocalist and songwriter of all time

[@skylermichael641]

You just made me have faith I could sing this high. Can’t wait to try again.

[@JasonHall]

I constantly sing along with Tillian and Anthony Green in my car. Not only great singers but great music production! I have actually been experimenting these exact ideas and it's great to get some more ideas on technique from you! Please do one of these for Anthony Green!

[@kbell726]

Okay so now that you opened the DGD box, you HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE to do Jonny Craig! He has an amazing distortion that sounds so refined and he is also able to do these really precise vocal riffs as well. Thank you for making these videos, you rock Chris! \m/ P.s. "What I Would Give to Be Australian" is a good example for JC.

[@iamanactualcat]

I don't think what we want to do is give that awful man more attention

[@kbell726]

Its not about the man, it's about the technique! :)

[@iamanactualcat]

@@kbell726 chris can just do a video on harsher R&B vocals:)

[@kbell726]

I would definitely not say no to that!

[@bond-vaga-bond4266]

If anything, this is just another argument for doing the video, the more people learn to do JC's vocal techniques, the less anyone needs JC. Seems win-win either way

[@CamAnd13]

God i just love the way you explain all the things! It's really entertaining and simple, and you give examples singing all the time to know the wrong ways to do certain things and then inmediately explain how to practice to improve to the correct way, also explaining the characteristics of the voice using simpler words an explanations and not extremely techincal with it, making it so much easier to understand, thank you!

[@teethan3928]

YES OMFG IVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT TILLIAN’S DISTORTION ON HIS HIGH VOCALS FOR MONTHS IM SO EXCITED TO WATCH THIS

[@akmetalhead95]

Yesss! I've been hoping for this video for at least a year. DGD is one of my favorite bands! So unique and talented!

[@emobot9000]

16:00 mood

[@kurtspencer7520]

I’ve been looking for a vocal couch like this forever and never found one. Glad to know you exist.

[@chrisliepe]

Yay :)

[@kurtspencer7520]

@@chrisliepe dude, I know it sounds weird, but I’ve had this yearning inside of me to burst out in singing for so long. I just signed up for your classes, I’ll pay whatever to make this a reality lol.

[@chrisliepe]

@@kurtspencer7520 Nice man :) Excited to have you in the course!

[@andrewdevall4438]

Omg I'm so happy you did this! I remember commenting a long time ago on one of your scream videos asking for your thoughts on Jon Mess. It was your video that got me to first start figuring out my own scream

[@RarityRO]

I have been waiting for this one for SO long

[@tylerdexter4323]

Been waiting on Tillian for a really long time. Thanks Chris!

[@JayRM_]

SUPER into DGD and love Tilian's singing. Learned that I can actually reach those high Tenors with enough practice and less shame on attempting it. You've taught me some good things to keep in mind too! Liked/Subbed because I've been dying to see someone break them down and walk through their style. I love that you chose WOTN to teach off of. Thank you!

[@chrisliepe]

You're so welcome!

[@DnAfilms405]

"And less shame on attempting it" such an underrated and true statement

[@Project_2501]

Trying to get down to the screaming part was impressive! Tilian's part, not so much. Tilian has this John Mayer "smoky" undertone applied by the false vocal cords on top of the real vocal cord voicing with each and every note, even the super high ones. Which is absolutely impressive. When he sings in his highest range, he opens op his pharynx to get more tension to the the over all system. This also works very well for me. You should try it. A final statement to start division among the fans: Tilian was better in Tides Of Man!

[@jamesrara]

Whoa! So stoked to have stumbled upon this one. Had no idea you tackled DGD!

[@chrisliepe]

Oh just wait!

[@RicardoTorresMusic]

Wasn’t expecting this but very cool stuff, I’m a big fan of DGD and was in the same way trying to figure out Tilian’s smooth more ‘Foamy’-like whisper voice and his high cleans and sometimes raspy notes. Good stuff

[@Lao_moon]

Your voice is absolutely amazing... And the video was so informative. Gonna binge watch your channel

[@chrisliepe]

thank you!

[@nekifernandez4677]

Thank you for taking my request! Awesome breakdown Chris! I really enjoyed it.

[@johncarelli5772]

Would’ve never thought to see you go into covering a band like this!! I just subscribed and this is the second video I’m watching...in love - you’re an amazing vocal coach. Great at teaching - please don’t stop making these videos 🙌 keep up the great work!!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the the sub!

[@frankunodostres473]

I think this is one of my most anticipated episodes :D both of these guys have such unique styles and it is amazing to watch and hear you analyze their performance

[@chrisliepe]

Yay! Enjoy!! :)

[@northwest_rain]

Immediately liked and subscribed. You break down vocals and explain them (and obviously have the knowledge to do so) in ways that I've seen no other vocal coach do. I also love how you say, even if I don't have the same vocal range, there's a lot I can learn from this singer. I've casually sang for a few years now, but am not sure what I need to do to improve. I'm naturally a baritone/bass, but am cursed with loving and wanting that tenor voice (think Tillian Pearson, Brendon Urie, Frank Ocean, Jon Bellion, etc.) I'm glad that I could still learn techniques from all of them. I'll check out the free course and see what I can pick up!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for this great comment! Ya, you'll love the free course :) Let me know what questions or comments you have as you go through it!

[@FloranceNovak]

Was so excited when I saw this one hit my email :) Love what you had to say about approaching Tilian's notes from a 'down' perspective when our natural timbre may be different from his. Definitely an important thing to remember that we aren't someone else! Also love that you included Jon in this video. Cheers!

[@chrisliepe]

Glad you liked it!

[@MetalSnake6199]

The belt visualization was a nice tip with the soft pallet one too.

[@stupidmatua]

thank you SO MUCH for this video!! i know the comments are already asking for Jonny, but if you could specifically dissect his voice from DBM1 that would be amazing bc his tone sounds super different there. also would love to see a vid on Kurt and Cory from A lot like Birds, Andrew Wells from Eidola (and his work w DGD is obviously amazing too) and Dominic Fike. thank you again, this was really informative!

[@Thiccolo]

You are an expert in your craft sir.

[@rondeezy_thepancakeslayer1242]

I never got the notification for this video but I’m glad I caught it! Thank you for listening to our requests Chris :)

[@chrisliepe]

You're welcome!

[@ferociousbung]

I’ve been waiting for this for a while

[@nicholashelton7711]

You should do Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria!!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the idea!

[@TheActionCobblestone]

Hell yeah!!!

[@mathiasfiniguerny]

Thank you so much for doing this one! Absolutely love it!

[@chrisliepe]

You're welcome!

[@nickbrubaker738]

YESSS ive been looking forward to this one for a while, so awesome to see it!

[@chrisliepe]

Great!

[@diablovalentine9474]

I've been looking for an outlet to plug into so I can develope my voice and I really appreciate there videos. Much love for the youtube grind so you can reach more people ♥️

[@TheD33dz]

The video we needed! Thank you very much! Cant wait to watch it a few more times! 😋

[@ThereWhereWeAreNot]

This is one of the most interesting video about DGD on youtube. I like videos by URM Academy where they breakdown the mixing part of some songs, but got the same deep thing with vocals. Awesome stuff man, great addition to the informative basis about this band. Keep it going! Probably you can do Andrew Wells from Eidola. He's featured on Evaporate and Nothing Shameful by DGD. I know nothing about music theory nor about vocals, but I profoundly believe Andrew is second to none even in comparison with Tilian despite being very distinctive from him

[@chrisliepe]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@NineSloterman]

Been wanting a tillian review for a bit now, awesome stuff man!

[@ezpz4659]

Swallowed by eternity- DGD. That song is epic

[@Kasselist]

do the analysis "protest the hero", high mix note from tenor too

[@zainon4983]

can you also do some sleeping with sirens?

[@GreenerSideProduct]

You should do Of Machines. Guy sings super high, check out ”Becoming closer to closure” or ”things too visible to see”

[@mpk6664]

Under rated band

[@Pentadart]

Hey Chris, just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your videos. I've been singing for almost 4 years now, and since I discovered your channel it felt like being thirsty in the dessert with a water bottle in my hand and finally letting myself have a drink. All of my support from Argentina, keep it up dude! Ps: Sorry if my english is not that great :p

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks so much! Awesome to hear this. (Your English is great! 😊)

[@JackRusher]

I'd love to see one of these for late David Bowie, especially his 80s voice after he had started to really lean into his baritone register (Cat People, Let's Dance, China Girl).

[@bestgelnailsuk6009]

This ^^^ 100%

[@Greatlakeskyle.]

Found this one helpful. Thanks for your willingness to give these more obscure voices a shot.

[@maxims2484]

Could you check out the track "Here comes the winner" by Dance Gavin Dance. Namely at 2:40 where Tilian sings "Moments together sell them well" but the rest of the song is also interesting because of the techniques. Thank you

[@BorN2bFAT]

Thank you so much for another great video Chris!

[@Baratones2442]

FINALLYYYYY! Thanks Chris!

[@aronjoy23]

Killer lesson once again Guruji! Do also try and cover Jonny Craig and Conor Mason from Nothing But Thieves!

[@yourdaddyhstl1687]

Thank you for your share of knowledge my friend

[@insomniac5627]

i love your singing, you are great! very precise but simple at the same time.

[@chrisliepe]

Thank you so much!

[@williamstapleton5459]

Really enjoyed this video. I have been listening to Dance Gavin Dance for years now through different vocalists but I find that Tilian and Jon make the best combination to match Will Swan's guitar style. Pure joy when I listen to them! I also have that same keyboard =p Love how I can use it for both my Windows desktop and my mac book with the push of a key =p

[@BzechuanInteractive]

As much as I hate this man. Id really like to see a video on how Jonny Craig does his vocals. Like on the DGD debut and his debut with Emarosa. Maybe if more people could sing like Jonny, we could move on from him.

[@purpledragon2442]

He’s not a great person but man he’s a great musician.

[@BzechuanInteractive]

@Honey Orange Valencia just to be clear its Jonny Craig who I hate. Theres honestly so much to cover when it comes to Jonny Craig and why he is such a scum bag. Jonnys relevance to the conversation is that he was the original singer for Dance Gavin Dance. If you are really curious about why Jonny is such a bad person, the Cozy Representative on youtube has covered it in detail you won't get anywhere else.

[@purpledragon2442]

@@BzechuanInteractive I just hope he can get the help he needs. The dude is really talented and it’d be such a waste. But his family and friends and like, what, two different bands at this point have tried getting him in rehab in a span of over like 10 years? Sadly he’s gonna get himself killed or arrested at this point.

[@BzechuanInteractive]

@Honey Orange Valencia if what I've heard is true, Tilian grew up in scientology. So if he has severed ties with them, he's got to be on absolute guard of his actions because Scientologists have a reputation for destroying their detractors.

[@Adam0193Official]

I'm glad I stumbled across this video. I absolutely love DGD as a band (seen their concerts so many times I've lost count) and I love Tilian's style of singing and Jon's style of screaming (and will's style of guitar playing, for that matter!). I couldn't help but notice though when the Jon part came on that there were quite a few similarities. At 11:48 I couldn't help but think of Beartooth's style of screaming (I immediately thought of Sick and Disgusting or The Lines) and at 12:40, I immediately thought of Oliver Sykes during his Sempiternal/That's the Spirit album style of screaming.

[@Adam0193Official]

listen to 12:41 and when Chris screams "on my waaaaalllllll" and tell me that doesn't sound like oliver sykes :P

[@pmshrevecomm]

Man, i don't know if you've ever listened to The Dear Hunter, but i would really love one of these on Casey Crescenzo. His voice is so dynamic and also very ethereal. Even if you don't do a video on him, I think you would really enjoy listening! Thanks for the rad video!

[@chrisliepe]

Great suggestion and you're very welcome!

[@mynamegig]

I would love another take on jon mess from the newer albums since he's got a bit more tone flux, such as lyrics lie

[@chrisliepe]

sure, great idea!

[@necrovibes8982]

i cant believe, i missed this video, this is great!

[@chrisliepe]

nice!

[@rebelwhompergaming5328]

I've never taken vocal lessons, I've always just felt my voice out on my own. I've been screaming utilizing false chord for about 10yrs off and on, and I'm trying to learn mixing vocal styles more. Do you offer intermediate courses? I know diaphragm control, I've performed at 64ft and 12,000ft above sea level, so I have a pretty good grasp at how much air I can and need. My issue is vocal fatigue, and not really knowing what key I'm comfortable in. If you reply, big massive thanks, if not, I love your channel and I subbed. Just a random suggestion from KZbin is how I got here.

[@DudeCalledDibs]

Came for the lesson. Stayed for the biceps.

[@chrisliepe]

haha

[@JoeLisenby]

Check out Andy Cizek--especially when he covers DGD. Hes incredibly talented and the one who initially put me onto DGD.

[@neebnoob18]

YES Andy's the 🐐

[@daraortigosa6970]

Yes yes! Please check out Andy Cizek! He really is an amazing vocalist. Lucid is my most favorite song from him, his vocals there is insane.

[@jefflaclaire2206]

I accidentally saw Andy Cizek live when I went to a Kurt Travis show. That dude is one of the most talented live performers I have ever witnessed.

[@neebnoob18]

@@jefflaclaire2206 what city? I went to that tour as well

[@wanderer3443]

Cizek is good in his own regard, but comparing him to Tilian is a sin

[@raquelb.1469]

Your mic it's very good 👌🏼

[@FreimannMusic2]

Waiting for James Labrie for 6 months or more! Thank you!

[@chrisliepe]

man... I know I know... haha... He WILL appear!!

[@lala123abc]

DGD brings back high school memories =)

[@josesnake9]

Tackle the band la dispute they have a few live room recordings. I think he has that same voice crack you're talking about in screaming check em out !! Also great way of explaining although I don't sing I understand what you're talking about.

[@tomekh2008]

Messaiah Marcolin from Candlemass. He's got different approach on 'Nightfall' from 1987 album and 'Candlemass' from 2005 album. Please do anylize him. He has got ability to sing almost like opera but also on the newest album we can hear him do amazing distorted stuff.

[@jesseRya]

I got an add for your channel while watching your channel.

[@chrisliepe]

nice

[@EmoKid1144]

finally someone makes a video about this

[@srj4k]

It’s my favorite singer. Thx

[@schemas702]

I think it would be dope to see you do one on either Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra, Casey Crescenzo from The Dear Hunter, or Dustin Kensrue from Thrice. Dustin being the one I'd dig most. I feel like his voice would be pretty hard to replicate.

[@bunbunforever_]

thanks for making this!!!! omg!

[@Pookiepie410]

Phenomenal video, very informative! I'd love to see you analyze Maria Brink. One of the most unique current rock singers

[@omegaasphalt9313]

This is definitely not jons best live vocals but it definitely works his newest vocals are probably his most solid or the secret band lp2 had some of his most progressive vocals yet. I like this example but including more examples might be more helpful, just a suggestion! Thank you for this really helpful video

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate it.

[@davidholmes3619]

This is my first time coming across your channel, but if you haven't yet, you should really do one of these videos on Claudio Sanchez.

[@chrisliepe]

I agree... he's on the list!

[@pmshrevecomm]

@@chrisliepe oh man, that would be AMAZING! His harmonies are incredible! Amazing channel, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@el_8951]

I think we need to acknowledge that Tillian’s vocal cords are built differently. Unless you have that physical difference, you aren’t going to sing just like them. I think this guy did an alright job on explaining how to sound like him, but not a great job explaining how Tillian takes these techniques and adapts them to his vocal setup. It’s just not possible to do what he’s doing 100% especially with holding back on vibrato since his vocals are so smooth and his range is sick in head voice, he’s more of a counter tenor and can pretty effortlessly move up and down his range with very minimal mixing. It’s impressive

[@metroecco7908]

PLEASE DO A VIDEO OF THE BAND CALLED PALAYE ROYALE!!! Love his voice n they need the recognition too!!

[@elijohnson5240]

Have you ever done a full dedicated video on the yawn-mix technique you mentioned? I remember you going over it briefly in the Brendon Urie video but I would love to see a full video going in-depth on the technique

[@holydiver3000]

I don't know if someone in the past suggested to you Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian. I think he would be a great singer to cover. Your videos are the best.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Not my cup of tea, but I still respect them. I just hope they warm up and (particularly) warm down after these shows. New singers for me. Thanks Chris. May I also point out, Tilian's timbre makes his voice sound higher than it actually is.

[@chrisliepe]

Totally!

[@josereyes719]

I loved it! Just have one thing to add: Jon doesnt scream at all, i mean, Jon have one of the most particular sound with his (singing) screaming, it's more like he's doing a gutural and his voice y just on the top, and adding a Lot of melodic tone to his singing-screaming

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@IamSkullTxusOfficial]

OK, YOU ARE THE MAN YOU ARE THE MAN

[@chrisliepe]

hehe... thanks!!

[@alexvaldivia1855]

I would absolutely love it if you made a video on Jonny Craig, especially the screams he does

[@onlyhumanmusic3593]

I would love to know how to jon mess does his vocals. He's amazing and I would kill for a lil advice

[@jaysonaarontan8752]

I dont even understand what youre talking about but i still liked this vid

[@chrisliepe]

hehe nice!

[@Akashsky69]

Sir please make a vdo how to sing she's gon by Still heart...❤lot of respect 4 u

[@yourdaddyhstl1687]

Can you look into chris roetter? Maybe make a tutorial on his lows :)

[@christianstorm8854]

Oh snap, my Brutha is sporting a 5 o’clock shadow. That means we are in for a good show if he didn’t have time to shave.😂 folks that means Chris has been busy.