Produce/Mix/Master/Drums

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Recording a new Hoobastank album, working with a Grammy winning composer and various indie artists

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love both and couldn't do without either.

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

A: That they will enjoy the experience and be happy with the results.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the end product. Going from demo to finished song and hearing progress.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That anyone with a laptop and Garage Band/Logic can make a radio single. While that can certainly happen, it's infinitely helpful to have a professional at the wheel to get the performance out of the artist

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is it you're looking for in a producer or mixer (or any other service I offer)? What message are you trying to convey in your song(s)? What are your influences?

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

A: Look for someone who's sound is what you're looking G to attain. Have a meeting or phone call, make sure there's a good connection. Recording is a very personal experience, you want to make sure that you're comfortable and the people working with you share the same goal

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

A: Distressor U47 HCL Varis Burl converter Kush Electra

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been playing/singing since I was 5 years old. Both parents were very musical so naturally I moved to LA as soon as I good to pursue a career in music. I am a founding member of the band Hoobastank since 1994. I alway had a keen interest in recording, even before moving to LA so I started putting together a studio as soon as I had the means. I started recording my band and other bands until eventually it became a second profession.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: One of my favorite bands to record and mix is Old Man Markley. I love working with acoustic instruments and the band has a LOT of them. The mix is always a challenge because there's a lot of stuff going on all at the same time. Finding a space for it is like putting together a puzzle! They're all super talented and not one of them sound bad so it's a blast.

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

A: I admire bands that push boundaries musically and emotionally. Emotion is one of the most important aspects of of a song to me because no one is going to connect to your music if it doesn't make them feel something.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to think I have many styles. I can do clean and polished pop material and also get down and dirty garage rock! I don't have a preference.

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

A: Adele is my favorite modern day singer. I love working with musicians of that talent, it's impossible to make them sound bad!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure the singer is comfortable and do whatever it takes to make them so. Maybe it's laying down on a couch while singing, holding a guitar even if they don't play it......or sitting at a piano, whatever it takes. You want the singer to convey their message genuinely so the listener can connect.

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

A: I'm comfortable in all formats

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My ears are my greatest asset. They've been finely tuned in the many years I've spent as a music professional

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Decades of experience in songwriting, performing and recording. I have a knack for bringing out what it is in the song that the audience will react to.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a private studio called The Lighthouse Recording. The most common comment I get when people walk in is "wow.....this place has more gear than *insert insanely expensive big name studio here*". The room is professionally tuned and capable of the highest quality sound.

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

A: The bulk of my work these days is mixing and mastering however I love getting creative and producing, drawing from years of experience working with some of the best songwriters and producers in the world.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Q: What's the biggest crowd you've ever played in front of A: I dunno, too many to count but it was over 100,00 and it was terrifying!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I consider myself a vehicle to happiness! I step in as much as the artist is comfortable, offering my expertise and experience. Some artists are very particular and are simply looking to achieve a desired sound. Others want and need more direction with the writing and producing. My only care is that the artist is happy with the end product and I work until that goal is reached.