Guitar/pedal steel/dobro/etc.

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

A: I produced an album for a great local singer in Montreal, Raphael Dénommé. Check out the song Vampire de L'est on Youtube. I played everything on it except the piano. I'm very happy with the result because it is a catchy song and a great blend of pop and country elements.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Just did a "punk country song" for a client. Didn't know if I could make it work but, I'm always up for a challenge and it turned out pretty cool. I'm also working on instrumental originals. Mostly folk and acoustic driven.

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

A: Not yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital with an analog approach. I staretd buying recording gear only a few years ago and already, a lot of the studios I would go to had the same UAD Apollos that I have back home. I mean, that technology is so great that I have just stopped searching.

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

A: Serve the song!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Expression, creativity. Also the very enjoyable feeling of clients being very satisfied and exited about your work.

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

A: "What music do you like the most?" -The one that's well made!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to have references of artists, songs or parts they like.

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

A: Don't hesitate to ask anything musically, I'm open to it all.

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

A: Acoustic guitar, mandolin, dobro, one electric and a lap top!

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

A: I have been making a living of music in the Quebec scene for the last 16 years. Mostly as a touring sideman. Then, I built my studio 6 years ago because I needed to create more and express myself into other people's songs.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Chameleon

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

A: Kacey Musgraves and her co-writers/producers. That music and sound is just so inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't overplay.

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

A: A lot of Country music, modern and vintage. My first love was 70s Rock, then jazz as I studied music and since then, it's mostly been about being where the work is. Luckily, I'm happy to play pretty much anything.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Adapting to any style of song, and enjoying it!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Hooks, as much as possible. Texture and taste.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Once I gather my ideas, if that is what is expected from the client, I will make sort of a produced version of the track. Meaning, I don't just play all over the place and expect the person on the other end to edit it all, my tracks are potentially final already. For instance, I might not play the first half of the first verse and then say, add more texture to lift the second half followed by the chorus. I'm ok with recalling stuff if the client wants something different but, oftentimes,my experience serves me right and it works very quickly.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use UAD Apollos with Unison technology for preamps, into my Mac Pro and Logic. I have a wide variety of guitars (Gibsons, Fenders, Suhr, Gretsch, Martin, etc) and utility instruments. Many guitar amps as well but, also all the modeling stuff (UAD OX, Kemper, Axe Fx2, etc.). And too many pedals to count....

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

A: I do love the Nashville scene, producers like Busbee (Maren Morris), Ian Fitchuck (Kacey Musgraves) and I am a fan of pop music as well. That and vintage hard rock/Americana, Metal and everything in between.

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

A: People will typically send me their tracks and ask that I add various layers of the different instuments I play. I will then try to find what serves the song best and record pedal steel, guitars and whatever is needed.