Produce / Mix / Master

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: A nylon string acoustic, a ukulele, a cajon, a tambourine, and last but not least, a cowbell.

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

A: I will happily take on any genre when it comes to mixing and mastering. As for guitar playing, I like to say that I'm up to try my hand at anything, but realistically you really won't find me very useful for Jazz, Metal or Classical. However, if you need something along the lines of Blues, Folk, Americana, Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Post Rock, Ambient, Shoegaze, Brit Rock, Alt Rock and Indie Rock I might just have a few tricks up my sleeve. I love making textures with modulations, delays and reverbs, especially when utilizing a slide and/or Ebow. I also find it interesting to use the guitar in non-traditional ways through the implementation of synth sounds and processing normally associated with keyboards. This approach can be applied to many kinds of music, including a variety of pop, hip hop, electronic and rock styles, as well as soundtrack music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They each have strengths and weaknesses. It really depends on the project and the context. There's no denying though that digital has become a dominant force when it comes to playing, recording and producing music over the past couple of decades. All of my mixing and mastering work is currently done within Logic Pro X, for example.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure you have a dry track for everything possible; you can always effect and shape things later, but you can't really undo something that was laid down wet.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: It depends on what the client needs and what the song calls for. My goal is always to make a song better, but the client is who has to be happy with it at the end of the day. Of course I like to get creative if requested or if needed, but I want to give the client what THEY want.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It really depends on the client's expectations and requirements. Firstly, I like to know what the client has in mind with regard to the goals of the project. Is the project targeted towards a particular audience or radio/streaming market? If I'm working on something with Top 40 radio in mind, how I proceed is going to be different than how I would approach something intended for college radio, for example. Secondly, in terms of the actual work to be done, does the client have specific expectations, or are they leaving it all up to me? Often a client will come in with a pretty clear idea about what they want from me, other times a client will leave it nearly entirely to my discretion or have only a vague idea of what they want to hear.

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

A: Electric guitar work and lyric crafting, editing and revising. Mixing and mastering work is what really interests me more though, and helping an artist bring something to life in a way that brings them joy.

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

A: To always give you my best and to always treat your project with the respect it deserves.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping people realize their vision and goals. Helping to create art and the potential it holds to impact others.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals for your project? What are your expectations of me in helping you achieve those goals? What does the project mean to you personally; is there an underlying motivation or inspiration for any of the material that might help me connect with the emotions behind it? What is the timeline of the project and what kind of deadline can we agree upon for my contribution?

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

A: Ask a lot of questions. Remember that you're hiring someone to help you realize your artistic goals and you need that someone to be able to believe in what you're doing and have that belief reflected in the work they do for you.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Too many to list, really. A good singer is always a pleasure to work with though!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: As a guitarist I would say being mindful of what the material needs and not getting carried away with myself or over embellishing. Basically, knowing when to check my ego and to always strive to compliment the material with what I'm doing.

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

A: That's a broad topic! From a guitar playing standpoint, I'd say many of the usual "heroes" like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, etc.; but then there are the myriad singers, pianists, drummers, songwriters and so on that have shaped and informed my musical life as much as any guitar player has. On the production side, George Martin, Alan Parsons, Brian Eno, Butch Vig, Rick Rubin, Daniel Lenois, T-Bone Burnett, Sam Phillips and Prince are a few standouts for me.