Rock Singer, Lyrics, Writer

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

A: I am on a desert island every time im in writing mode. I would bring my acoustic guitar, my iMac, my apogee duet, my Neumann tlm103 and my neve preamp.

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

A: I formed my first cover band at the age of 14, recorded my 1st album at 17 in 1995 with the band Iris (vocal lead and back vocals, co-writer and guitarrist,) released 3 albums with them and toured for 10 years. I have had several cover bands and I gig regularly either locally and internationally. I recorded an acoustic cover album under my name Ray van D in 2017 and I co wrote and recorded an acoustic rock album called Terra Plana in 2018, I guested as a Singer/ Lyricist in Paulo Barros "More Humanity Please" album, in 2018 I co founded a project called Opera Rocks (a blend of Rock and Opera), I co founded the band Stone Breaker in 2015, released our 1st EP in 2018, "Hopes & Dreams" in April 2020 and and a Live Acoustic album in December 2020. I founded Bloody Sam in 2021 and released the album the following year. Recently i released an album with a project called Esplanada "Burning Bridges". I have been a pro singer for over 25 years.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Focus on what you are good at and don't go astray down the technical rabbit hole :)

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

A: I record vocals, vocal arrangements, write melodies and lyrics or write songs.

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

A: I get inspired by musicians that think out of the box as Josh Homme, Jack White, or producers like Eric Valentine.

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

A: Im very proud of my work with my band Bloody Sam "El Paso Hotel". I'm the main songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, lyricist and co-producer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am always writing and recording. It's something I do on a regularly base. After the release of the album "Hopes & Dreams" with my band Stone Breaker I am currently working on the next album and on studio jobs that come along.

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

A: Easy & friendly communication, passionate & high quality vocals.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as Rock/Blues/Alternative.

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

A: I usually work on Rock/Blues/Alternative.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have a good sense for melody and a wide vocal range.

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

A: Communication is key to reach a great result so having a nice open conversation about the song we are working on. It's good to have references on the type of Singer, Melody or Lyrics that the customer envisions for their song

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup consists of an Imac running Logic ProX with an Apogee Duet, Neve LB 1073 pre, Neumann Tlm103 mic

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. There are advantages and disadvantages in both and it depends on your vision of what your music to sound like.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love to sing and Music is my call, my mission on this planet. I am very fortunate to be able to do what I do.

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

A: I think it's that I am limited to one genre or style of singing. I can sing high octane rock but I can also sing low register.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you looking for? What do you hear in this song? How does it make you feel? Can you describe the images you have in your mind? What is your vision? Where do you see the vocals coming in? Do you have lyrics? If you could choose any singer to sing this song, who would that be?

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

A: I would love to work with Josh Homme. I like his originality and approach to music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I always aim for authenticity and I always approach it as it is my song. I always aim to bring passion and soul to the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process consists of listening to the tracks, have an overview of the work that has to be done and communicate with the client. If there is a vocal guide I will listen to the song a few times and I will record a rough sketch. I will later come back to hear it with fresh ears and record the vocals to send to the client to ask if the client is happy with the direction it's taking. I will record melodies and vocal stacks and deliver this usually in a few days.