Topliner | Session Vocalist

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

A: One of my favorites is a song called "Safe Love" that will be releasing this year. It's a song I thought would be a 60's feeling singer-songwriter feel, and I happened to play it for a brilliant producer friend of mine who's releasing his own artist project. He loved it so much that he'll be releasing it as one of his debut tracks. Electronic! It's crazy how songs can morph and change and straddle genres, and it's exciting to see the identity of a song change and morph.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have a number of projects in the works at various stages of completion- whether rewriting to make he strongest song possible or co-writes in the works. I'm currently in the stages of releasing my own EP. The songs are done and polished, it's just time to find the right team.

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

A: I'm sure there are, but I don't know any specifically. I'd recommend all of them!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Classics are classics for a great reason, but I live in the now!

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

A: I'm a hard worker and will work hard to give them the song or performance they're seeking.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love connecting with people and making a song baby. Two people go into a room (or three, owow!) and they create something that didn't exist before. We're creators and inventors, and that's an incredible feeling.

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

A: People most often ask me where the melodies come from. They come from me, yet, but they really come from some intangible somewhere else. I'm a conduit for something greater.

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

A: Anyone can write a song, anyone can sing, and anyone can speak/read, ie "do voice over." However, it takes year of experience and training, and talent to do these things well, and that's what makes a professional a professional. You can have a song or a voice over, but don't you want it to be memorable, catchy, and sound professional?

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to use references for all work I do, so finding a song you'd like aspects of your song to sound like helps. Also, what's the story you're trying to tell through this song, who is the singer, who's she talking to?

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

A: I think the most helpful thing is hearing the voice on your actual song so, try me out! I'll do a voice memo demo before you fully fund the project.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring catchy melodies and toplines to songs, authenticity in my vocals and my writing, and vulnerability. I am candid and honest, which is reflected in my writing and vocals. I also have a good ear for what works for film/tv syncing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I write songs differently every time. Sometimes I start from the Melody, sometimes from a concept that I want to explore, often from titles. It depends!

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

A: My days are mostly happily filled with co-writes, vocal sessions, and voice over sessions. I've lent my vocals for tons of demos of songs I've co-written, have done a ton of commercial VO work, and write every day.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a vocal booth in my home and a Rode NTG2 Mic.

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

A: I’m obsessed with Maggie Rogers and Freya Ridings lately. Their vocals and writing inspires me.

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

A: My iPhone (for voice memos), my notebook, my favorite pen, Pat Pattison’s “Writing Better Lyrics,” and my keyboard.

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

A: I have always been a songwriter and a singer, but in 2017, I finally started leaning into the work that I love most in the world and putting it on the front burner. I discovered the Songwriting School of LA and soon after, I was awarded a scholarship to a writer’s retreat in Ojai. After that, I quickly started filling up every day with co-writing. I had found my purpose. Then I rediscovered my confidence as an artist. It’s been a year of huge achievements and a ton of songs I’ve written and co-written will be released this year, including some of my own. It’s been the best year of my life and it just keeps on climbing!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am a people person, so I love to do cowrites and collaborate. I find that it’s not just that two heads are better than one, but two heads create infinite ideas

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

A: Pitbull - because it would be a party and the song would end up being super fun to dance to. Charlie Puth- because he’s a musical genius Adele- of course Maggie Rogers- I love her fresh take and spirit Sofi Tukker - I love everything she’s putting out right now

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Finding prosody- a connection between the song and production is the most important tool. A great song is the marriage of great melody, lyrics, and production

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

A: Pop, singer songwriter, adult contemporary, and electronic. A little country.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am really good with Melody. In my co-writes, I am often the one who comes up with the hook or chorus. I also find it important to connect to a real emotion with every song, so search deep for something real to connect to in every song I write