Gritty Strong Rockstar Vocals

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

A: Most often a client will bring me a song that they have written and have me replace the vocal tracks. I often give them a different flavor, adding soul and range that they have not been able to contribute. Harmonies are always fun to add and often they end up being used.

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

A: Any person who works hard enough and has the goods to be a professional musician, especially if they are working on original music, inspires me.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a 3 room studio space. There is a main tracking room, an auxiliary tracking room, and a vocal space/mixing space. It's very serviceable and I am able to get a lot of different mic placements.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Listening is the most important part of the process. What is the song? What is it saying? How can I give it a genuine human feel with vocals in order to have the song connect with it's listeners. I will write to that track depending on if I have a vocal guide track, subject to sing to, and any other variables that can influence the song (notes from the person requesting the vocals and/or the person who wrote the track). The vocals are laid down and listened to until I am exceptionally satisfied with them. I lay down the main vocal track and then layer harmonies, Oooo's, and Aaaaaaah's. The vocal track or tracks are mixed into the stereo files and returned to the buyer. If they want revisions, they are quickly redone to the specifications asked for and resent.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Soul. Grit. Sophistication. Emotion. Timing. Truth.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Singing rock music.

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

A: Rock, Blues, Heavy rock.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Seek awesome, amazing, and human...don't chase perfection as it won't make your music sound genuine and human.

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

A: Dave Grohl. He has done it all - written great songs, insane drumming skills, great vocals, killer guitar player, jams with EVERYONE, makes films, hilarious. He epitomizes a living musical legend still doing amazing things.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I was raised by bikers on the California Coast and the radio was always playing Southern Rock, Blues, Classic Rock, and Metal. I also somehow got into folk based rock (maybe to balance it out). My style is a blend of those styles. Definitely rock with a heavy blues influence and a strong dose of southern outlaw.

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

A: I have been singing in rock and roll bands since I was a sophomore in High School. I sang in musicals when I was a kid into my teens. So...my path has been singing in plays, bands, classical vocal training in college while playing in a band, and continuing to play in a band in my working years. I learned how to record, mix, and produce rock music by interning at Orange Whip studios in Santa Barbara and then building my own studio.

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

A: Solar Generator, Mic, recording software, acoustic guitar, Djembe (I am a kickass Djembist)

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

A: Stop reading our words and listen to samples of the music we posted for you. After you have carefully listened to the tracks, feel free to continue reading.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the feel you are going for in this song? How did you feel when you wrote it? Are there any pictures in your mind when you write or hear this song that you can describe? What is the most important thing I can do for you as the vocalist?

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

A: That it's easy and anyone can do it.

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

A: Them - Can you sing this? Me - Yes.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It is passion mixed with intellect and allows me to create instead of compete.

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

A: I will give your song my all vocally, melodically, lyrically, and emotionally.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital recording. There are so many variations of sound, including analog sound that can be produced digitally. Vinyl is the coolest medium to listen to though...

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

A: Not that I know of...

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My band Late Night Union whenever I get a chance.

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

A: Definitely Late Night Union. I have put everything into writing these songs, singing these songs, and it has taught me to do all of the above even better. The fact that Adam Kasper believes in our music enough to produce us out of the kindness of his heart makes me very proud.