Vintage Soul Singer/Topliner

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

A: An EP for two producers here in LA. I felt like we really learned from each-other and were able to start each session totally open to new ideas and the path of creativity. We ended up with some strikingly emotional but groovy stuff.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A personal EP with my BluPop band Retro Bloom.

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

A: Carley Lusk. Beautiful woman with a beautiful voice.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog! A,B an analog and digital mix of the same song, you can hear why. Sound is a physical experience, and I like to keep it within wires, air, glass and heat instead of binary code.

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

A: I give all of my clients the same dedication and passion no matter the project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Making music!

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

A: How did you get started singing/who are your influences/when is your next show :) and I tell them.

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

A: I really dunno!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How has your music journey been so far, and what is your goal with this project?

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

A: Have a goal set for your project initially (know what you want), but also be open to collaborative energy. Sometimes our ideas can be nudged into new light, and end up better than we ever imagined.

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

A: Water (singer problems), coffee (addict problems), acoustic guitar (no electricity on an island, right?), notebook for lyrics and a pencil.

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

A: I was an athlete in High-School and never thought I had time for music. Then, my senior year, I went out for Choir and made it. After getting a Solo in our final performance I fell in love with the stage and dove head first into singing in college. I had always planned on being a writer - a poet was my hope - so I figured why not translate that into songwriting. I had always played instruments casually (trumpet, piano, drums and guitar) but didn't really dedicate myself until college. There I quickly got a scholarship for their classical "Master Choir" and became a member of one of the top A Cappella groups in the nation "The Bare Naked Statues". I also began playing with a band and improving drastically at guitar. By the time I graduated, I had become the president of the a cappella group, sung the national anthem several times at the location sports arena, won an international vocalist prize, and played most of the notable venues in St. Louis.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Soulful and unique.

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

A: Wow. I would loose my mind to work with Tom Misch, Tyler Joseph or Anderson Paak.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Voice always comes first. Always. Without a good vocal performance, no one will dig the song. And good doesn not always mean perfect or rangey or technically sound but rather something the people can relate to and believe.

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

A: I usually write bluesly, soul/pop. But I have been involved in everything from Classical compositions to Hip-Hop projects and Crooner- Style Bossanova stuff. I love all music, even some aspects of metal and country and am willing to work with any and everyone.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My voice. I was fortunate to have a mother who sang around me for my entire life, and introduced me to Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Earth Wind and Fire as well as my hero: Aretha Franklin. I have grown up trying to emulate those individuals, which as in turn shaped my own voice (hopefully) in a somewhat similar mold to my icons.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Versatility and unique perspective.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the clients requests, but my own personal writings usually begin with a guitar (chords, or a lick) then move to the melody (wether a theme or hook or just a certain interval I really enjoy) then I begin the process of word-scaping, or deciding what the mood of the song will be. From there I play around with words and stories and decide whether to add a Bridge, Break, Collision or Shorten the Hooks and Verses etc.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work at a production school and am blessed to have access to their fantastic equipment.

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

A: Right now, Tom Misch and Aretha Franklin. Tom seems to have established his own unique sound, blending Jazz and Funk with electronic "bedroom" production which I really admire. And Aretha, bless her soul, has always been my inspiration to sing. Aside from that, I think Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar are two of the most important songwriters today. Paak's top-line on "Malibu" are so sticky and Kendrick always has sometimes profound to say and a unique way to say it. Outside of Hip-Hop, I really enjoy Bruno Mars and Pharrell's contributions to the industry. They have helped bring funk back to the forefront (along with Mark Ronson and of course many others).

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

A: Top-line and Vocals. These are the areas I have the most training and expertise.