Session Drummer and Producer

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Just make sure the provider you're hiring understands what you want. Be specific about sounds or ask for their guidance in selecting drum sounds (or provide examples of sounds you want to emulate). Most of us are good at choosing the right instrument or sounds for the job, but we're making this inference based on the information provided from you. Communication is huge!

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I work mainly on rock, indie rock, pop rock and americana!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the artist and understanding their vision. Hands down the single most important skill in any studio situation. More important than any technical skill you bring to the table!

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: For studio drummers, the list is long! But I've always admired Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Josh Freese, and Aaron Sterling. Their ability to fit the project their working on is by far their biggest asset. Of course they have their own styles and arguably their own sonic signature, but they always serve the song with their drum parts. On the producer side, Eddie Kramer, Brendan O'Brien, Butch Vig, Rob Cavallo, Jerry Finn, Eric Valentine, Jack Antonoff, and Shawn Everett.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most often, I'm hired to record drums and percussion on songs for solo artists, songwriters, and bands. When I'm not recording drum tracks, I'm hired to be a producer and musician for artists that need someone to help bring their song to life OR completely "fix" and be a problem solver for a previously recorded, unreleased song that just didn't hit the mark.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Check out Matt Rifino for song mixing! He's incredible and has mixed 3 songs I've produced over the past year.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My promise is to give you a product that inspires you, makes you want to listen to it over and over, and elevates the quality of your song production.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Everything I write and play is meant to serve the song first. Zero ego. I only play what is needed or what is requested. I listen intently to the vocal and think about ways to support it. I think about how to propel the song forward in a way that complements the other instrumentation. I think about what frequencies the other instruments are occupying and adjust where my groove is being played (hi hat versus ride versus crash cymbals).