Live Drum Tracks!

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

A: The most recent release that I was involved in was by The Light and the Dark. I recorded the drums for "Who We Are" in my studio, and it was a treat to be apart of making that music with great friends and getting a fantastic result out of it!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Always working on capturing the best sounds that I can, and streamlining my workflow.

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

A: Kyle May is a fantastic person and drummer, and anyone would be lucky to have him apart of their project!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it is all i have right now! ;)

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

A: That I will do everything in my power to give them the end result that they desire!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love getting to get behind a set of drums and make music every day. It is a dream and a privilege!

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

A: Outside of musical questions pertaining to the song, typically questions about revisions and edits.

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

A: That being a musician isn't a "real job."

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Similar to the question about the advice to the customer, I really try to zero in on exactly what it is that they want out of me for the song.

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

A: Be as specific as you can as in terms of both the parts you want played, but also as far as sonically what you are going for. Provide examples, references, anything you can!

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

A: If I had a kick, snare, hat, crash and a tom, whatever I need for a 5 piece small drum set, I'd be okay!

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

A: I began playing drums at age 10, and grew up playing in church and school bands. I went to college to study commercial music in Nashville in 2012, and graduated in 2016. I have been working as a musician in Nashville since 2016, and been working as a session musician since 2019.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would consider myself a song drummer. I love crazy fills and chops as much as the next person, but my favorite thing to do behind the drums is play songs and make music with other people. I love creating the foundation upon which the rest of the song rests.

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

A: Brandon Flowers. I am a huge fan of his music, both with The Killers and without. It would be a dream to work together one day!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If it sounds good, it is good. Let your ears be your guide, not necessarily what it looks like on the screen.

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

A: Typically modern country music, but I have worked on everything from rock to pop to worship music!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say discernment. I value every note, and believe that everything that you play has to have a purpose. I don't want to play anything that doesn't need to be there. It is about the song and the artist, not what I can do to get my "stuff" in.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I believe that I bring a strong sense of musicality to a song, as well as a strong attention to detail.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Once I receive the track, I chart it out. Then I will select which gear (snare drum, cymbals, etc.) I think will best suit the song. I play through the song a few times, and typically I will record these passes, just so that I can listen back and decide what I like as far as grooves and fills. Every now and again, these end up being the final takes! These early takes are what I will send to the client, just to be sure that they like the direction that I am headed. Once they approve/provide feedback, I will then record 1-3 "official" passes of the song, usually with little differences between them, which allows me to give the client options. Once the tracks are recorded, I will do some slight mixing, and then I send them to the client!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently operate out of a room in my house! I use a mixture of Audix and Shure microphones. I

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

A: Aaron Sterling, Chris McHugh, Ronnie Vannucci, Steve Jordan, Jeff Porcaro, Matt Chamberlain...the list goes on!

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

A: I record drum and percussion tracks from home!