Funky Blues Session Guitarist

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

A: That i will always give my absolute best in playing, and that i will always be transparent and open in discussion.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If your ears tell you its right, then it probably is. Be creative (that ones for free!)

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

A: My biggest highlight would be either between building a theatre show from the ground upwards, and it becoming the largest touring show in Europe, starting a music business in college for media students who needed original music for GCSE's and A-Levels or performing at Sports Personality Of The Year a few years ago. All as guitarist.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A variety of projects. Im musical director for a theatre company, so piecing together some musicals for 2021, i'm writing a musical based on a Russian novel, trying to finish off an album of original material whilst learning how to be a photographer and videographer

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

A: Absolutely not, give me all the work!.... Just joking, theres going to be so many great people on this platform, go with who you like and who stands out.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, why box yourself in with only one option, they're both great!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating art, being part of the process that puts music into the world.

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

A: Client - "Can i request........?" Me " Sure, no problem"

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

A: That its easy

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: No two clients are ever the same, so i make sure we talk about everything, all wants and needs.

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

A: Talk, be clear and dont be shy to ask or queries. We"re all in it for the same reason - to make the best music we can possibly make and express ourselves. Own your uniqueness!

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

A: 5 acoustics, so when i get bored i can make a raft and sail away. It'd be old Taylors and Martins so id at least know it'd be a quality raft.

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

A: I started playing at the age of 16, had music lessons before going to University. At University i was working with bands and then that slowly took over, i became a full-time musician and haven't looked back since!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: A mixture of blues - rock - funk

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

A: Red Hot Chill Peppers, with Nile Rogers and Stevie Wonder a close second a third, but one wouldn't be choosy!

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

A: A mix of blues, rock, funk, disco, pop and indie

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Feel and understanding what's needed and being able to get it out

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am really into playing for the song, i certainly put as much feel and groove in as possible - if theres no feel, we've got nothing!!! - dynamic playing, a sense of melody mixed with blazing playing. Of course what's more important is making sure the part fits, and the song breathes.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: * Speak to the client, get as much info as possible and make notes. * Request examples and references - from other artistes to voice notes * A rough version of the piece for the client to listen to and look to tweak * A second rough version with changes made (if any) * Final recording

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: DAW - Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Ableton Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 / Universal Audio Apollo Twin Amps - Marshall class 5, Jubilee | Suhr Badger 35 | Wienbrock ME-5 Plexi | Engl Screamer 50 | H&K Tubemeister | Fender Princeton / Kemper floor profiler Pedals - a range of pedals including fuzz, overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb, filter, phaser, flanger, wah, compression, boosts, graphic EQ, pitch shifters Pedal switcher: Boss ES8 | Moen GEC9 | Mark One Audio | Gigrig quartermaster Mics: SM58, SM57 | Senheisser 906 | Sontronics Halo

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

A: So many to name, it varies from Stevie Wonder to Vulfpeck, from Prince records to Jeff Beck to Brett Mason to Nile Rogers. Any musician/bands with feel inspires me!

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

A: The most common type of work i do is live performance, and session guitar work, so putting down parts - riffs, solos, rhythm work.