Electric Guitarist

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

A: I would have to say one of my favorite songs from my catalogue is “Maybe I’ll Try” from my second album “Teddy Bear Revolt”. I wrote the whole song and tracked all of the guitars, bass, and programmed drums. It’s a punk rock tune with a catchy chorus (which came to me one day when I was literally stepping out of the shower), and the bridge section/guitar solo has this Zeppelin-ish reggae vibe that you would probably hear on their Houses of the Holy album. Still makes the hair on my neck stand up whenever I listen to it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, I’m rehearsing some songs with a cover band, which I have been a part of for several years. As far as original material, I have actually been experimenting with various electronic drum beats and virtual instruments.

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

A: Chris Hodges. He’s a fantastic singer who did all of the vocal work on my second album “Teddy Bear Revolt”.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I don’t have the ears, or the nerve, to praise one over the other. Good music is good music.

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

A: I will go the extra mile for you, and you will love working with me.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the idea that I can add another layer to someone else’s work, even if I had no hand in it’s composition. And when the client loves the end result, it’s a beautiful feeling.

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

A: What kind of guitar do you use? Fender Stratocaster and either a Gibson Les Paul or Les Paul Studio What kind of music do you like? Rock Do you have your own studio space? Not quite Why are you so handsome? My parents

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

A: Quite often, people hear me play and they say that I was born with talent. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I grew up on video games and every iteration of frozen pizza you could think of. Playing guitar was something that I fell in love with. I only sound the way I do because I have spent so much time doing something that I enjoy. There’s no replacement for hard work and passion.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. Do you have some rough ideas of what the guitar melody should sound like? Do you have something fully written? 2. What kinds of tones are you looking for? 3. Time permitting, If I get inspired, and try something that is different from your original direction, would you be willing to give it a listen?

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

A: Listen to my sample, as well as a few songs from my solo project. This will give you the best indication of my capabilities and my overall feel as a guitarist.

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

A: Assuming this desert island has electricity: Les Paul Spark Mini Amp Phone Strings Picks

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

A: I have been playing guitar for over 20 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Straight-up rocker with copious amounts of bluesy classic rock influence

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

A: If I could share space with one other legendary guitarist, it would have to be Carlos Santana. He’s one of those players that seems to have a spiritual connection with the instrument.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don’t be so quick to add layers just for the sake of filling up more space. Sometimes, less is more. Give the song some breathing room. It’s like cooking. A pinch of salt might make all the difference.

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

A: The vast majority of my experience has been within the rock/hard rock realm, up to this point.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication. I do everything in my power to be responsive, and receptive, to what my client wants.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Great melodic sense and timing. As much as I love guitars, history has proven that a great piece of music can carry itself through any other instrument. I bring a very selfless mindset to a song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It all depends on the scope of the task at hand, but I always like to start by having a simple conversation with my client about what they want to accomplish, and then working through the finer details from that point. If we can identify an existing work as reference, that allows me to better visualize what the client is seeking as an end product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Everything I record is done directly through an audio interface.

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

A: My top 5 favorite guitarists: Jimmy Page Eddie Van Halen Nuno Bettencourt Stevie Ray Vaughan Steve Lukather

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

A: Recording guitar tracks, and various levels of songwriting, whether it’s suggestions or full-length passages that require development from the ground up.