Producer, Songwriter, Artist Development

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

A: I am proud of having developed and launched Alejandro Montesinos' career. I discovered Alejandro and worked with him until he became a full artist ready to go. We got some breakthroughs while working together like performing on some of the most important Hispanic Tv shows in the US and global and we got to work with incredible people. I was the leading producer and songwriter.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Developing a new artist named SOSA. Just finished his first 3-song EP. Great stuff.

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

A: I haven't really looked into it.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Because its simplicity.

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

A: I have a deep compromise with my work, because even though I may be hired for a job, my name stays behind it. So, I put a lot of effort for getting a high quality record no matter the budget.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music itself. Creating and working with other awesome musicians.

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

A: That I don't need to pay my bills and I can work for free.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of music do you listen to? What kind of music do you want to do? What are your expectations about my work? What is your experience as an artist? What is your budget? What do you intend to do with the song/s once they are ready to go?

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

A: I'd suggest anyone looking to hire a music professional to have a basic understanding of what they need and what that means, that way they understand better the rates proposed by a producer or any other musician.

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

A: Mac Pro Laptop with all the software, a MIDI controller, headphones, a good mic, and probably UA-Appollo Interface.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Key word: contrast. I like to include elements in a production that you wouldn't expect.

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

A: I would love to work with someone like Jon Bellion In the Latin market, I'd love to work with Ricky Martin, I think he has great talent and he seems to be pretty open to fresh sound

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I never consider to be done with the production until I send the track to be mastered. I'll be mixing and still making tweaks and adding or removing sounds.

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

A: Pop, Latin pop, Urban, EDM, and pop rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creative direction and production. From the get go, I know where I want to take the song and what and who I need to get there.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am involved in every part of the process because I am a songwriter, I make beats and I am a producer. I have extensive experience making different kinds of music and my European background give me a wide understanding of music direction in different parts of the world.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After agreeing with an artist the direction he want to go for, I decide which people I'll work with. I only work alone on very low budget projects. Then we enter the songwriting sessions, normally 2-3 sessions per song. After that we record a demo with the arrangement and share it with the artist so we know we are on the right direction. Once the demo is approved, I set up recording sessions with different musicians and many times in different studios, which allows me to get better rates. After we've done all the recordings, I send the song to mix and master, and we're done.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in my studio during the songwriting and demo process only. I work on with Logic but also run ProTools. I have KRK VXT8 monitors, Mesa Engineering as guitar amp, Apogee Ensemble as audio interface, Taylor C214 acoustic guitar, Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Studio Projects C1 microphone and M-AUDIO MIDI controller.

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

A: Depending on the styles. Lately I love artists such as Twenty One Pilots, Jon Bellion or The Weeknd. I am also listening a lot to artists like Nneka, Selah Sue or Sam Smith. As per Latin artists, I like artists like Enrique Iglesias, Reik or Mitre.

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

A: I choose the right team to work with me and the client to take the song from idea to final master. I set up songwriting, production and recording sessions and make sure that the songs are delivered within the time frame agreed with the client.