Session Drummer & Engineer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digitally in the most analog way possible. Digitally because it's cheaper and a little easier to work with. However, I like to do it in the most analog way possible because it's about capturing a performance. Life, sound, and performances are all analog things - don't destroy it by removing that human element. Don't copy and paste, play it right. No pitch correction - sing it right. Subtle variations in timing can give a track that human feel - don't use beat detective to make it "perfect".

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Maybe it's selfish but, it's either: - playing something back that I did and going, "Wow... that's me?" - playing something back to a client and them going "Wow... that's me/us?" That never gets old. Ever.

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

A: Q: Are you jack black? A: No.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Working in and around Calgary, usually the first question is... have you ever recorded before? Gives me a sense if they know what to expect or not. If they have, then I follow up with how the workflow was and what they liked or didn't like about it.

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

A: Just because someone has all the best gear, doesn't mean they're any good. On the flip side, just because someone has minimal or cheaper gear, doesn't mean they can't make a great product.

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

A: My drums, guitar, DAW, Rode NT4, & my iPod (yes I still have mine).

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

A: I've been playing drums my whole life. I got into audio around 2006. Built my home studio over time, worked with various types of clients early on. Then I ended up in electrical engineering and web development, all while still playing drums and forming a band. Now I've kind of come full circle and want to try and get some session gigs because I know I am fully capable of delivering. Interested in seeing where this goes.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Driving & I like to experiment and explore ideas. However many would agree that less is more in the appropriate situations.

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

A: Way too many it's impossible to pick one. However the reasons would virtually all be the same: - I love their work. - I will definitely learn something new working with established and experienced artists.

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

A: Rock & heavy rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Definitely drumming.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Probably power, energy, and feel.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's an undeveloped basement with recording capabilities. Open concept. Yamaha Live Custom (6 piece) drums using Sabian HHX/AAX cymbals. DAW: - Mac Pro 1,1 - Pro Tools LE 8 - Digi 003 rack plus (8 mic preamps) - (Insert future Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic 8-Channel Microphone Preamp for ADAT expansion to 16 inputs in May 2019) - Waves Gold Bundle - Waves SSL 4000 Collection - Custom built studio monitors Microphones: - Rode NT4 stereo X/Y - AKG D112 - Shure SM57 (x2) - Sennheiser e604 (x3) - Beyerdynamic Opus 88 (x2) - Samson CL2 (x2)

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

A: Brendan O'brien, Dave Jerden, Eddie Kramer, Rick Rubin, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Ghost, etc.