Session Bassist, Arranger

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I've been recording bass for a Chinese Producer named Bernard and I've been writing string arrangements for folk duo "The Black Feathers" new album which is due for release later in 2015.

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

A: Chuck Sabo the drummer is excellent. I've worked with him on gigs and he was the drummer on some recent recording projects I've been on. A great professional, an excellent musician and he has a wealth of recording experience to draw on.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It really depends on the project. Analog can sounder warmer and fatter but I don't like assuming that a warm, fat sound is always the best thing for every project.

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

A: That they will be happy with the results :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that each song I work on is different. I always find it so rewarding to deliver what a client wants in a song because it often makes me think of things I wouldn't on my own. Work like this is constantly new and engaging.

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

A: How long does it take to record

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

A: That online/remote session work is done in a rush or low quality.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask to hear the music I'm working so I can really understand what I'm working with. I always try and ask clients if they have any reference tracks or specific sounds they are trying to achieve in their music.

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

A: Don't do things cheaply and don't get too attached to your demo. Book quality musicians and trust them when they make suggestions and produce parts for you. It may cost a little more upfront but the benefits greatly outweigh the initial cost.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Groove, dynamic, creative and melodic bass playing

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

A: Alison Krauss. She has such an incredible voice and she's always put out great, dynamic and musically sensitive songs. It would be such a pleasure to hear myself as a part of one of those recordings.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I don't like being over reliant on plugins. If I can get the right sound from the start, maybe by spending time to get a specific tone, trying different microphones or using different DI's, then I feel much happier because, right from the start, I know I'm working with something that's right for the song rather than trying to shoe horn a sound into a song that doesn't suit it.

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

A: As a bass player I specialise in R&B, Soul, Pop, Rock, Groove and Funk music. I also have experience performing and recording Jazz, Film and Orchestral Music. As a string arranger I specialise in Acoustic, Folk, Rock, Indie and Soul acts. I have also arranged horns for tall these styles of music. However, I can also written for Funk and Jazz acts.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creativity and fitting into the arrangement of a song. I love playing parts that serve the song!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Groove, an appreciation for the music and a great sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first thing I do is talk to the client and try to see the song from their perspective. I like to ask about what they are hearing in a bass track, what they are trying to convey in their music because, as a session musician, my goal is to help others realise their musical visions. Once I have a good idea of what the client wants I'll spend some time intensely listening to the song so I can really absorb it. This helps me record a much more natural and authentic performance. Next is to record the bass parts (or arrange the strings and horns depending on which of my services you have used) and then send everything back to the client.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have several basses including active, passive and fretless models that I use to record. I use an A-Designs REDDI (valve and tube DI) and I also am able to have my signal re-amped if you prefer a mic'd sound but, in the past, I have found that clients usually prefer to do this themselves. Most of the time I end up sending a signal from the REDDI but I also have high quality Aguilar equipment for recording bass which I can use. I have an apogee duet interface.

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

A: I have a huge amount of respect for studio musicians ranging from Pino Palladino, Alison Krauss, Steve Gadd and so many more. I love the sound of musicians who listen to each other and it's always such a thrill for me to be part of a recording project that allows me to listen, engage with the song and try to do what's best for the music.

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

A: I do a lot of work in the rock, pop, soul, RnB, funk and jazz genres but I have also spent time playing world music, working with orchestras and performing and recording with large ensembles for film, theatre and television.