Music producer and song writer

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

A: I got to ghost-write and produce for an artist that ended up being signed to a major label. He's 3 albums in now. I'd like to think that some of the early work I did for him before he signed, was a factor in getting the label's interest and attention.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm always working on a project or two. Right now it's my upcoming studio album, and I have a few collaborations in the works with a couple UK artists.

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

A: Look at my reviews. Every one of them is excellent at what they do.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either, I love working in both realms.

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

A: Professionalism, honesty, integrity and passion.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating something that makes and artist and their fans say "I love that song"

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

A: 1. If I can work for free. Answer - no 2. If I can work without a Producer's fee, advance or royalties. Answer - no 3. If I've ever produced for written for someone commercially famous. Answer - I've ghost written for artists before. Some songs have been published, some haven't.

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

A: That I'm simply a beat maker. That I don't produce songs. So many people have just said "just make a track that goes along with this...". Such a difficult thing to do when you're used to (and want to) produce songs for people that capture every bit of magic that it can.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: My top 3 questions: 1. What emotion do you want to capture? 2. Do you want a live feel? Or more synth-based? 3. Do you want this song to play on the radio? In a lounge? In a club?

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

A: The most important thing is knowing what you need - a producer or a beat maker. I'm more of the producer type. I want to craft the song from beginning to the end. After the vocals are recorded, a producer's work isn't done. Editing, tweaking music, adding instrumentation to accentuate song parts, and create the best possible outcome.

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

A: A laptop, Logic Pro X, a Roland keyboard workstation, monitors and a microphone.

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

A: I started writing music about 20 years ago. I travelled around the world for a different type of work, so never really pushed hard into the industry. When my traveling slowed down I started to take it more seriously. Got my first placement about a year after that - for a tv commercial Was hooked on composing and producing music since then. I mostly doing it for love, but honestly - who doesn't want to make some money doing what they love?

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Style, as in personal style? I'm easy going. Very laid back. I love exploring ideas. Although I believe that I'm good at what I do, I check my ego when it's time to be creative. Nothing worse that exploring a bad idea because someone's ego won't let it go. Such an inspiration killer. Musical style - laid back, lounge-type of sound. That doesn't necessarily mean slow tempo. Just a chill kind of vibe. Not into the "turn up" type of music, and that matches my personality as well.

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

A: Sade - do I really need to explain why??? LOL

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Understand instruments and their frequencies, and then how they will work (or not work) with the sound of the artist's voice.

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

A: Usually R&B, Soul, Hip-hop. I've ventured in the House, Reggae and Pop worlds, and although the work I've done in those areas has been received well, I have to work a LOT harder to create a sound that I like. With R&B, Soul and Hip-hop it just comes more naturally.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Bringing partial ideas to life, and creating something meaningful for the artist and their fan base.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a passion for music. I like to work until we both say "that's it right there!!!". As a producer, composer or songwriter, I don't believe in being heard. My work should speak for itself. I'm vocal with ideas, thoughts, suggestions - whatever the artists needs, but I've always believed that the person with their name in the biggest print should be seen and heard - not the person with their name in the smallest print.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: As a producer, I first like to talk with the artist. Nothing like a good, old-fashioned phone call. I like to understand the direction they want, the feeling they're after, and ultimately what the end result will be - commercial release, mix tape, demo, etc. Technology allows us to send ideas and files back and forth to mature ideas along the way. My preference is to be in the studio with an artist, but it's not really necessary, as long as both sides know what they're doing. As a music composer I like to start the same, then compose a couple of ideas of potential directions for the song. I always like to return to the music after the vocals are recorded. So much of the magic in a song happens after the vocals are recorded. I'm not really a "create stereo render, record vocals, song is done". I think that short-changes both of us. As a lyric writer, I like to have a backing track to explore melodies, cadence and wording. Ultimately whoever I'm writing for has to approve, so I like to dig into their catalog to get a feel for who they are. I really like to write as if I'm them. Any time I've been asked to ghost-write, that's the approach I take. Write the lyrics as if I was them.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I built a studio in my home, complete with sound proof walls and acoustic paneling. It's designed for one thing - producing and recording music. Like many studios I've paired down over the years, and I stick things that have been with me for years. Things that disappear when I work, get out of the way and just let me be creative. Logic Pro X, Universal Audio, Mackie, Yamaha, Rode, Neumann, Native Instruments, Spectrasonics, Roland, Akai, East West, WaveLab

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

A: Anyone that has serious talent with a pen. Music has always been my focus, but to me there's nothing like a memorable lyric.

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

A: Most often my clients will come to me with an idea or an acapella and ask that I create a full track from it. Sometimes they will also ask that I help write lyrics. And from time to time my clients will come to me wanting a fully written and produced song to perform live or for their projects.