Remote Session Guitarist

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

A: I'm particularly proud of my latest project - an album that has taken me 4 months to write, record and produce th 12 track album. Huge project with lots of horns, live drums, guitars etc. I'm most proud because I managed to do it around being a full time Dad (due to Covid) so I only had an hour or two each evening to do it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm always working on new projects as I compose a lot - Usually around 3-4 albums per year.

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

A: 'When can you have this by'. My answer = soon!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Basic terms are very helpful to me so I try to get some clear instruction or 'brief', e.g. a close and bright sound with lots of jangle.

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

A: Try to be clear as possible what it is that you would like from the musician. I have been asked in the past to literally write intricate lead parts for the song from scratch, but of course, that would have needed a totally different rate of pay.

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

A: My headphones, an ipod, a solar charger, my acoustic guitar, and a Uke.

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

A: When I left University I knew exactly what I wanted to do (become a composer), however I began playing gigs, being a band leader, and teaching guitar for many years.

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

A: It'd have to be Nile Rogers, even if it was to just make the guy tea and learn from him.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Have a clear idea of where you'd like each instrument to sit in the mix, and also the kind of timbre (colour) you'd like from each instrument in orer to fit in the mix. Having a clear idea about the end goal makes life so much easier when it gets to the final mixing stage. Knowing which mic to choose, and to mic placement, all the way through to choosing the right instrument - for example a single coil strat, or a humbucking twangtastic Gretsch etc.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Most clients will send me over a guide track with a rough idea of the parts that they want. Sometimes, I've had clients sing me what they would like. I'm pretty handy at working things out quickly by ear, and I know my instruments very well, so developing a theme and adding lovely nuances is natural. Having said that, I'm more than at home with sight reading standard musical notation. In a worst case scenario, a client would send me over a backing track, and an example of what they are going for by supplying a link to a released track with a similar part on. I will then lay down an idea, send over a watermarked copy and await client feedback.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My home studio has the necessities covered in terms of room treatment. It's a half decent sized room as well. My main rig consists of an Audient id44 which has superb pre's and converters, they really are Fantastic. I have some nice mics too including a Mojave301FET (designed by David Royer), an Audio Technica 4041, and an Avantone CR14 (Ribbon), as well as the usual SM57, SM57Beta, SM58, Sennheiser e906. Fender Strats, Gretsch, Martin Acoustic, Gitane, Gypsy Jazz, Classical Guitars, Ukulele's, Banjo, Mandolin, Basses. Vox and Gibson amps etc.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital due to space, maintenance and budget.

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

A: I'm constantly working on a professional level on in most genres.

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

A: I meet deadlines with a proven track record.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working as a full time musician, period.

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

A: Writing music for other people.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I can be very adaptable. Through my musical life I have studied, played, and composed many different styles of music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Working a part to fit.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'd like to think a decent musician brings a lot to the table. Experience, soul, and a part to fit a song that makes you smile.

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

A: To be honest, I am very open minded and I try to take infleunce in everything I see and hear musically. It could be an orchestral version of a Led Zepelin song one week, and Segovia the next, or even an old man busking in the street.

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

A: A lot of the time, I'm composing to client brief these days. Other work includes session playing for indie artists, or as an accompanist, or for a producer for guitar work on a film score.