So to get things started here, I'm going to begin with a question that I like to ask all of my guests, and that is, how did you get your start in music? And Mike, I'll start with you.

Yeah, so I started playing piano when I was five.

I was kind of pushed into it.

I had a very strict Filipino piano mom who would put all of us in these classical piano competitions.

And then as a teenager, I really got into music, really got into drums and guitar and singing, still playing piano.

But I started playing in college.

all the school bands, and I sang in a rock band.

What first inspired you to take on such a big subject? Mike?

What's the state of affairs as we chat here in July of 2026?

Yeah, Mark, happy to.

The known headline is that there have only been, I think, four or five announcements so far in '26.

And so everybody looking at that would think, "Oh, boy, it's-- these are down.

There must be a reason.

What's going on?" And I will admit that, one, that's accurate.

Um, there have only been so many announcements.

What's going on in any or all of those these days?