Write Hits, Vocalize

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my Sophomore EP as well as some projects for my clients.

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

A: Krysta Youngs and Julia Ross. Incredible songwriters and female vocalists.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. I'm a product of the modern sound. What can I say.

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

A: My promise is that we will get your project to where you want it to be.

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

A: My advice is to have a good idea of what you want out of your project. This includes reference tracks, subject matter, energy level, etc. Come in to it with some of that and it makes everything go more smoothly.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is more like storytelling. I write for purely and realistically. I like to tell the story or have a conversation with the listener or subject of the song.

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

A: I have always wanted to write and sing with Ryan Tedder. He has consistently been one of my favorite songwriters and there's not really a OneRepublic song that I don't like.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I only consider myself a basic producer but if I could recommend one thing: learn basic music theory! There is a good book on Amazon called Music Theory for Computer Musicians.

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

A: Pop songs are what I do personally. I also love all EDM music and do well writing to it.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I pride myself on being able to put myself in someone else's shoes to write from their perspective.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a broad range of words and phrases. I bring a lot of emotion and passion.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Two different processes: Writing to track and writing from scratch. When I write to a track, I let it loop over and over as I come with and develop melodies. Than once I have a pretty set melody, I start adding in the lyrics. When I write from scratch, I discuss with the client what type of song they are looking for and if there are any subjects they want/don't want. Then I get on my keyboard and start trying different chord progressions and tempos until I think one fits. Then I record it as a basic piano track and write to it like I would write to any track.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio with a tube mic, stereo compressor, Focusrite Clarett 8Pre X 26x28 Thunderbolt Audio Interface into a Macbook Pro. I use Logic X to do everything.

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

A: Max Martin is a huge inspiration of mine in the production space. He is a wizard of making hits and his achievements are pretty incredible. As far as songwriting goes, I look up to Diane Warren, Julia Michaels, Justin Trantor, Max Martin, Ilya, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Sia, Ryan Tedder, and Bebe Rexha. There are many more that belong on this list but these are the top that come to mind. They are all hard working songwriters who not only crank out the hits, but also produce high quality content with depth. It's easier than people think to write a pop song. What's hard is writing a pop song that can make money AND means something. These individuals do just that.

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

A: Writing songs and toplines.