Session Drummer, Percussionist

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

A: I promise quick & clear communication, a collaborative process, and a final product that you will be happy with and proud of.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Groovy and precise!

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

A: I studied music at college and graduated with a music education degree. After that, I lived in the SF Bay Area where I gigged and taught lessons for about two years before moving to Nashville. My 5 years in Nashville have been a steady increase of touring, recording, and writing music. Certain parts of my career, like writing music for TV or touring with MWS, are things I could never have imagined but am so thankful for.

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

A: In the past year, I recorded drums on two songs for MWS' most recent studio record, A Million Lights. I respect Michael a lot and loved helping to create something so sonically adventurous and exciting for him. I also recorded drums in 2017 for an album, Signs, by an alt-rock trio called The Neverhawks. It's raw and honest; I'm very proud of it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently in June 2018, I'm producing and mixing an EP with some talented artists geared toward sync licensing, recording drums on 20+ tracks for a rock opera that my brother is orchestrating, and arranging 8 pieces for a university percussion ensemble in Pennsylvania.

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

A: Chris Biano is a good friend and excellent vocalist. He's also a fantastic graphic designer, videographer, and editor.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Ideally, analog. But currently mostly digital :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Building lasting relationships with people. Of course I love playing drums and making music, but the relationships are so fulfilling.

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

A: Will I get multitracks? Yes, and you will get a mixed stereo sum as well. What if I want to change something? No problem- you get three revisions for free.

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

A: Probably the idea that a studio musician for hire is more interested in quantity of work than quality. I am very invested in creating the best music we can create together. If it takes longer, that's fine with me; it will live longer.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal for this music? What bands or artists did you draw inspiration from?

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

A: Do research and figure out what you are looking for stylistically! All musicians have different influences and strengths.

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

A: Kick, snare, hat, laptop, Ampex 501

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

A: Currently, Vulfpeck. They are playing raw, tight, unapologetic funk and I love it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a thorough understanding of the drums and how they can be creatively used to create the perfect part. I've studied and practiced drums for years, and I've played everything from rock bands to chamber orchestras.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take as much time as needed to make your source audio to sound great so you don't have to spend hours trying to doctor it up in post-production.

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

A: I'm working mostly in pop, pop-rock, indie-rock, country, americana, Christian, and various forms of jazz.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Finding the groove. The more I do this, the more I just want everything to feel good.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Discuss the heart of the song or track with the writer and then immediately capture my first instincts for the parts. Sometimes these end up being the final parts, sometimes they don't. I do believe there is something special in our "gut" musical reactions, so I like to document them no matter what.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record into Logic Pro X via a UAD Apollo 8p. I have some API and Ampex tube preamps that I run through depending on the instrument and desired sound. I'm using a variety of dynamic, confessor, and ribbon mics by Shure, Audio Technica, and SE Electronics.

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

A: As far as current drummers go- Aaron Sterling, Ash Soan, Steve Jordan, Terence Clark. Those guys are really musical drummers both in the studio and on stage.

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

A: Typically, I'm being hired to write and record all drums/percussion on a song or track. I work with songwriters, artists, bands, and composers, so the workflow changes based on the end-goal of the music. Recording for an album cut usually looks a little different than recording for a TV or film soundtrack.