Music Producer

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

A: Can you really do that? Absolutely...you just don't want to know how.

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

A: I'm a very direct person, which can be mistaken as being gruff sometimes, but I prefer to be clear-cut. My beard...can be intimidating...but I'm really just a big old teddy bear.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who are your influences? Do you know what you want this to sound like? Is this your first project?

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

A: Trust who you are hiring. There is a reason you came to me. You wanted my input. You don't always have to accept my thoughts to be correct, but trust me in my process and know that I will make sure we all get out of trenches together.

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

A: 1) My Ears 2) My Nord Keyboard (headphones attached for listening purposes) 3) An Acoustic guitar (with extra strings) 4) My Laptop 5) An Audio interface

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

A: I've been playing piano for 25 years and have been producing music for 10 years. I went to college for music and business. I worked for LiveNation as Stage ManagerWas offered a publishing contract that I turned down and taught at a School of Rock for 8 years, where I was manager, Music Director, Director of Curriculum, and House Band Director. I've since, recorded, and produced artist an more genres than I can name.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is eclectic. I love real instruments and appreciate their sound. But, my appreciation and understanding of pop music, blended with a flare of world music tradition, classical arrangement, true love for Rock, and ability to assess music from every possible angle, allows me to be a chameleon.

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

A: Bruce Springsteen - There are few songwriters that get me to really listen to their lyrics. Bruce gets me to listen to the stories he's telling while keeping his production tasteful and always serving the song. I feel like his humble nature would make it easy to create truly timeless music with him.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Serve the song. Above all, serve the song.

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

A: I Recently recorded and produced two traditional blues albums. Played keys and mixed and record a number of folks songs. I have a pile of pop, trap, hip-hop, and R&B tracks that needs songwriters. I have two rap artists that I'm currently producing. I recently scored the music for a Pilot episode of a TV Show.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is helping someone else bring their songs to life. As a teacher, I've learned how to read people and to help them find things within themselves that they didn't know was there while also finding a way to keep people calm and collected, even when we hit snags along the way.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I can add to a song from any perspective. If you need a songwriter - I can write progressions and toplines. I can produce a track. I can play any keyboard, guitar, or bass parts. I can mix the record. I can master the record. If you need arranging or vocal production, I can do all of it. Just about, anything you can think of.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I start with a band - I like to hear their songs and possibly get rough demos to deconstruct the songs. I can then help them work the songs from the ground up to make them the best possible songs they can be, regardless of genre. If I'm just mixing - I ask for the project, asses the quality of the raw files to see if there is anything unusual, give and estimate on cost. If agreed, I ask for a deposit equal to one half of the agreed upon cost. I then mix all of the records. Return them. I ask for the second half of payment then, and will do as many revisions as necessary to help make sure the client is ultimately (within reason).

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a studio space that is large enough to record a band. It is not fully isolated but is perfect for recording blues bands and bands that are looking for it to either be rough around the edges, or to be done completely in the box, with no actual amps (not my preference, but a possibility). I have a 24 input digital console with a ProTools and Logic Rig. There is a Hammond B3 Organ and Leslie, Nord Electro 4 73 HP, Orange Full Stack Cabinet, A few different guitar heads to select from. Ashdown Bass Cabinet. A selection of Fender Guitars. I use Fabfilter, Waves, and Slate Audio plugins as my primary mixing plugins.

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

A: I've always been huge fan of Michael Jackson's works. His songs and the production of his songs play a huge role in my production. But I've studied any and all genres because I taught at a School of Rock for many years. Bruce Springsteen is one of my favorite artists. Nirvana and Alice in Chains influence me in a rock perspective. I love Dr. Dre and RZA in old school hip hop producers, and Eminem and Notorious B.I.G are some of my favorite MCs. Currently digging Post Malone. Swedish House Mafia were an incredible EDM group and I love their production. I've played in Country and Outlaw Country bands. Rick Rubin, Jimmy Iovine, Jim Scott are my favorite rock producers. Big fan of classic blues like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, and love funk and soul stuff. Anything from the Stax Motown Era. Phil Spector. The Beatles of course...everything.

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

A: I'm a producer in multiple genres. What I need to do for a client varies client to client. But my services range from tracking bands, recording artists, mixing, mastering, music writing, lyric writing, production, arranging, composing, film scoring, teaching, vocal production, piano, keyboards, organ, guitar, bass. All of these are things, that are commonly asked of me.