John Garden on SoundBetter

Keyboard & Guitar Overdubs / Co-writing / Mixing / Online Tuition and Mentoring.

Over 15 years' experience in the music industry working with Scissor Sisters, Alison Moyet, Kesha, Marina and the Diamonds, Silverclub, Tristan Mackay and more, as musical director, session musician and mix engineer. Specialising in vocal pop and rock.

“John is the ultimate collaborator, always willing to do whatever it takes to make the project the best it can be whether that be song rewrites or synth programming tweaks or suggestions/comments on the orchestrations. I have nothing but the highest regard for his talents as writer, keyboard/guitar player and programmer.”

- Bruce Coughlin (Orchestrator for Broadway, film & opera)

“John’s talent is truly awe-inspiring. He belongs to that vanishingly small category of musicians who are not only technically proficient, but are also capable of completely fluid self-expression through their instruments.”

- Cary Grace, Door 13 Music

“It was fantastic working with John. He knows his stuff. Absolute professional and makes the artist/writer feel at ease. He strives to bring out the best in an artist. Our album sounds incredible.”

- Kris Wilkinson Hughes, My Girl The River, Super Tiny Records

“The best thing about John is that he’s got the patience and ability to extract a myriad of great sounds from my often poor quality recordings! How he does it I don’t know, but it works.”

- Simon Arlidge, Songwriter

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

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Interview with John Garden

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-wrote "The Rarest Birds" with Alison Moyet and Sean McGhee from her 2017 album "Other". The music takes some unexpected turns, and I'm very proud to be associated with a song that celebrates the LGBTQ community through Alison's inspired lyrics.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am mixing an album with a Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" era sound. Great players, really earthy drums and vocals, and a fantastic guitar player who has a touch of Derek Trucks to his sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: At the moment I'm completely digital. Recall is no issue, and I can work on multiple projects at once. I have a good analog signal path for recording instruments, but mixing is all in the box.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's important to make the music that you want to make that reflects where you are in life right now. I want to be part of you finding the sound that
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety and constant change. Helping people realise their creative visions is extremely satisfying.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: - Can you do "X"? - Yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm always on the road!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of record do you want to make? What are your influences / who are you listening to right now? Who is your audience? Have you got a mastering engineer in mind?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Spend some time working out what you want from my services. Do you want me to add to an existing arrangement, or do you want me to help you finish your arrangement?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumkit, a piano, a guitar, a bass and a laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career in the early 1990s in London, UK, playing jazz and funk live and doing studio sessions for hip-hop artists. After a move to Bristol, I started touring internationally, starting with Alpha and Alison Moyet, followed by 7 years touring, writing and recording with Scissor Sisters. I wrote and performed a live score to classic silent movie The Lost World in 2012, followed by two years touring with Marina and the Diamonds. I composed the music to Tales of the City the Musical with Jake Shears. I have mixed two live albums for Alison Moyet. Recording clients include: Terry Logan, Bridget Barkan, Tilted City, Simon Arlidge, Tristan Mackay, My Girl The River and Scissor Sisters. Mix clients include: Alison Moyet, Simon Arlidge, Terry Logan, Silverclub, My Girl The River.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, slightly old-fashioned and musically literate.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tim Smith. I'd love to help him realise his vision post-Midlake.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When it starts to sound good, walk away and take a break!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock and progressive.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I listen.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I focus on the emotion of the song and make sure the music is serving the vocal/lyric.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a good amount of time doing housekeeping on the tracks I receive. This makes the recording and mixing process much easier and faster. I submit the work to the client and include two revisions within the agreed fee.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work simply in the box, recording audio through a few high quality pieces of outboard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ethan Johns, Guy Sigsworth, Guy Barker, Bjork, Midlake, H.E.R., Nigel Godrich, Rodney Jerkins, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Martin Levan, Brian Eno, Wayne Krantz, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lissie, Monica Heldal, Judie Tzuke, Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, Kip Hanrahan, Astor Piazzolla, Ben Salisbury, Jeff Barrow, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Terry Riley, Childish Gambino, Field Music, Frank Ocean, Spike Stent, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Overdubbing keyboards and guitar. Mixing tracks. Online tuition and mentoring in music technology and career progression.