Electronica Sampler & Remixer

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

A: I remixed Baby by Rudimental for a competition back in 2012 while half-asleep, travelling home on the train from Sydney to Wollongong after an hour of meetings for an internationally syndicated digital radio station and three hours of music production lessons. Years later it still captivates new fans.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Original productions, official remixes, bootlegs, DJ compilations, record label preparation, track promotion etc.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The combination of technology and creativity, the flexible hours, the emotional investment, the responses I receive from listeners.

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

A: How much do you charge? Does (all) that sense? Are you able to do that?

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

A: That it's easy / cheating. As if I just load a song into a program and maybe touch a button and then the computer just magically does everything for me.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Depends on what they require of me. Do you have a reference song to better show me what sound or style you are hoping to achieve? Would you like to me add much of my own sound to the project? What parts stand out to you? What do you like most and do not like about the project?

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

A: I was first given a copy of Ableton Live 8 in 2008 when I took on my first DJ gig but it wasn't until 2010 that I pursued a career in full-time DJ work allowing me much more time, freedom and the connections to properly undertake production.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I organise my audio, whether cutting hundreds of samples out of a single audio file or cherry picking from provided stems and proceed to compose a new arrangement. I have access to local, professional recording studios where I can review projects in a sound insulated room on professional grade monitors.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am the quintessential bedroom producer. I do 95% of my work on a mid-spec laptop using Ableton Live 9 Suite with a few preferred plugins. I most always work with either a pair of DJ or high-end consumer headphones but also reference my mixes on a wide range of speakers.

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

A: DJ compilations for digital/internet radio and music blogs, Remixes for fellow producers and record labels, Beat programming for singer/songwriters, Instrumentals, Simple edits e.g. for choreographed dance

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

A: Communication is key - do not hesitate to write down, in great detail, what exactly you are hoping to achieve.

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

A: Laptop, headphones, monitors, dj controller and a solar-panel power source (they exist right?)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Abstract, Avant-garde, Experimental, Leftfield, Underground

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

A: Anyone. There's always something to learn and take away from every individual.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep it simple - a capable laptop and a relatively flat pair of headphones are all you need, for the most part.

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

A: Whatever captivates my imagination and I can't resist listening to on repeat while I sit up to the crack of dawn.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The ability to control my perfectionist tendencies - using it to drive my work ethic but knowing when I have a finished product.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: An eclectic DJ mindset and sample based approach. A love for house music structure and admiration for every sub-genre in existence. An expansive understanding of classic songs beyond decade and undiscovered gems. An experimental, underground sound.

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

A: Classixx, Bee Gees, Holy Ghost, Booka Shade, Pet Shop Boys, Switch, Deadmau5, Tiga, Hot Chip, Simian Mobile Disco, Soulwax, Digitalism, Marc Kinchen, Aphex Twin, Diplo, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Roger Sanchez, Rudimental, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Claude VonStroke, Tonite Only, Van She Tech, Justice, Fake Blood, Styalz Fuego, Wordlife, Ta-ku, Hot Since 82, Duke Dumont, Julio Bashmore, Skrillex, The Aston Shuffle, Andy Van (Madison Avenue, Vandalism), Gotye, Anna Lunoe

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital first, analog later. Digital for efficiency and convenience, analog for quality and that authentic polish.

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

A: That you are effectively my boss for the project - my time, effort and attention will be focused on achieving the best results we can.