Award winning songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist who has worked with major artists including George Harrison,REM,Alica Keys,and Mick Flannery Billboard Top Twenty compositions, including an upcoming Alicia keys song. Professor in the songwriting & production departments / Berklee College My work is creative, detailed, exciting, next level.
I offer:
*Songwriting: including music, melodies and lyrics .
*I also help with A&R and artist development.
I have been writing and teaching songwriting for 25 years and would consider myself an expert in song craft. Whether you are writing a dance pop song, an alt country ballad or an AABA show tune, I can help you take your songs to the next level.
* Production - if you have a song - even if it's a simple recording - but need it to sound like a great band or rich-sounding production, send it over and let’s chat about how we bring it to life. I am a very hands on producer , I play lots of instruments , program drums and synths, and do most of my own engineering and mixing. If you decide to record a song with me , we will work together to realise your vision while producing a kick ass record that will stand up to anything you hear on the "radio" . I also have a stable of world class session musicians that I use and my studio has the very best of gear.
For mixing/mastering I bring polish, life and depth to the songs.
My five star verified reviews are from completed SoundBetter projects. I always deliver and go the extra mile.
Look forward to hearing from you!!
Check out my soundcloud below playlist which has lots of samples of my work
Send me a note through the contact button above.
224 Reviews - 19 Repeat Clients
Endorse William D Lucey- check_circleVerified (Client)
Will always delivers amazing songs to me, and it's always a joy putting arrangements to them. His production skills are superb.
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A great first project with Will – the first of many I hope. His skills took a high-profile piece we were working on to the next level. He's amiable, collaborative and creative – what's not to like?! Very happy.
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A truly wonderful collaborator who has helped me in many different ways with my songs. Thank you!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
11 songs completed with Will, and always a pleasure! He gives me clear vocal guides, and great tracks to sing to.
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Such a great person and artist. Loved working on my song with him
- check_circleVerified (Client)
A sublime song from William once again, and easy communication along the way to make this a straightforward and enjoyable commission. Thanks, Will!
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This is the third time I've used Will's services and what I really like about him is the way he's taken on my projects like they are his own. He always suggests ways to make a song sound better, advice which I truly appreciate. So it goes without saying really, that I highly recommend Will and what he offers.
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Another excellent job by Will. He went above and beyond the call of duty, writing and re-writing, recording and re-recording, coaching the topline singer to improve the performance, and mixing expertly for a beautiful result. Great work, Will. Thanks!
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Great work from Will as per usual. I particularly like that he treats the song like it's his own. He has superb communication skills and as a reult of all the I would highly recommend his services!
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William was able to get me steered in a great direction and was insightful on what was missing with my song. Thanks!!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Solid Producer as always
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Was fun to work alongside.
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Will was easy to work with, had clear communication about what we was looking for and was flexible with my circumstances regarding delivery. It was a pleasure working with him.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Always great working with William. Clear instructions and files to get the job done quickly!
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I have worked with William a couple of times now. Not only is he a pleasure to work with but his production is pristine. The tracks are always produce beautifully. He’s been really easy to work with, and gives clear, decisive directions on what he wants, but still left a lot of room for creative interpretation.
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I really enjoyed working on this project. I actually got to stretch a bit more than usual vocally on this one. It was a lot of fun. William was really easy to work with. I would certainly work with him again.
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This was my 10th song working with Will! It's always a pleasure. Clear communication, and quick work flow.
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Always a great experience working with William!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
It was a joy to work with William! The song was beautifully done and communication was clear and easy. Would highly recommend.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Another great track. William always provide an authentic sound and arrangement for the song. A pleasure to work with again.
Interview with William D Lucey
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Nate Barnes is a drummer I use a lot and he's fantastic. Great intuition , feel and sound.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I would say try and have a vision of what you want and have some references ready. I find asking artists who they sound like is a great exercise because it forces them to think about who their audience might be.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: U47. all time classic mic 1073 all time classic preamp. Gibson L1 because it's the greatest acoustic guitar ever made and I adore the sound of it. Laptop with protools I suppose since the mics and pre-amps would be useless without. Pultec because it makes everything sound awesome!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I use both. And they both have their pluses and minuses. Cutting tape is a pain in the butt for example but the warmth from tape is so lovely. Digital is so convenient in so many ways but I like to marry the two together. For example keyboards can often sound small and two dimensional in the computer but running them out of the computer , through a guitar amp and some pedals and back in , suddenly they sound so much more 3D.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Budget, turnaround , is my material any good? I generally tell the artist that I will do the best I can budget wise with in reason and I am always totally honest about the quality of the material. Having said that any ok song can be turned into a good song with the right know how
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I wrote a song called Punchdrunk which George Harrison from the Beatles heard and offered to play on. I sent him the tapes to London and he put his parts down and sent it back. We spoke on the phone and he was the greatest. I wrote and produced that one also.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently writing a song called Haunt me again for Alicia Keys.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is that if they work with me, they will get great songs written and a record that can stand up against anything you might hear on the radio.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I like working in the arts every day and I really like working with so many super talented musicians and songwriters. It never gets old
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I think from a production stand point , it's that a producer is a silver bullet. He or she is not. Ultimately a producers job is to realise the vision of the artist.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask a lot of questions about the songs and arrangements. The vision. What the end game is in terms of once the record is finished. Are they open to opinions or are they very definite about what they want
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in a band in Ireland , moved to America , got signed to Interscope, and then Island, made some records, had a few hits. Started producing and teaching at Berklee and have been doing that ever since.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My production style is very hands on from the songwriting all the way through the mixing stage. My own musical style is rootsy and rough around the edges but I also do quite a lot of electronic material which is a lot more polished.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tom Waits. Because he is a genius songwriter and is alway original and pushing the boundaries .
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Simplicity is key. I would prefer one killer part rather than 5 ok parts. The ear can only process 3 sounds at once and the more stuff you pile on to a song the smaller it starts to sound.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work in many genres. Lately I have been working with quite a few female singer songwriters but I also work in Americana style , rock , pop and so forth.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I am a good collaborator and I know what makes a good song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A deep understanding of what works in a song, lyrically, melodically and structurally. I have been a songwriter and have taught songwriting for many years and have taken apart and analysed thousands of songs. I feel like I can guarantee you will be happy with the results of the song writing process .
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I normally begin with the song , getting the structure correct, and fine tuning the melody , harmony and arrangements etc. At that point I begin working on the recording really trying to capture great performances without a crazy amount of takes. 3 is generally my limit. I try and go after the vision that the artist has and realise that as best as I can.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have protools hd and abelton through apogee rosettas with symphony cards. I have tonnes of mics and outboard gear, 1073's and Api pre-amps, and some great old guitars and basses. I also have some cool keyboards including a moog taurus 2 and a Prophet.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Tom Waits and Boy Dylan are on a pedestal. Massive attack are amazing. But I listen to all kinds of music. I really like Jon Hopkins and Underworld . I love Danny Lanois' vibe and Eno is up there too. As regards mixing , I have worked with TLA and like his work but also Mark Spike Stent and Andy Wallace.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I tend to be a collaborator type of producer in that i get involved early in the song writing process. I have taught songwriting at Berklee for a number of years so am deep in the songwriting world. Beyond songwriting, I do a lot of programming and session work and obviously a lot of actual recording and mixing.
I was the Writer and producer in this production
- Songwriter - MusicContact for pricing
- Songwriter - LyricContact for pricing
- ProducerContact for pricing
As many revisions as are reasonable.
Turn around time depends but days rather than weeks.
I like to chat to the artist and get a feel for the project..
- Tom Waits
- Daniel Lanois
- Lykke Li
- Neumann U87 KM184
- AKG 414
- LA2A
- 1176
- Distressor
- Neve 1073 api 5012
- 1959 Fender Precision
- 1962 Fender Telecaster
- All I want for Christmas is a Christmas No. 1Nov 15, 2022
The new single from the Derelict Debits in the UK out today. Co-written and produced by yours truly.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2bMTiw2MRWMse7JFLQbm76?si=Xy6_jztoSIO63FbRQsUQ5Q
- Mortal Prophets new record out todayOct 17, 2022
Great new record by Mortal Prophets released today. This was a very enjoyable project to produce. A modern reimagining of old delta blues..
Check it out here
https://open.spotify.com/track/6w6lR4rzZASv52sPv10H1v?si=887e63d1077b466a
- New song released today from Andreas GrannesAug 12, 2022
A great song from Norwegian artist Andreas Grannes.
The song is called "Home" . I produced it and played
most of the instruments. Check out the guitar solo:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKWQdf95fA
- New song from Flora AlgeraJun 21, 2022
Produced and mixed this one and played most of the instruments. Great tune from a really interesting artist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF_1hu2SiVU