Mixer/Producer/Songwriter

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

A: I'm an all rounder that helps what ever music dream you have to manifest. Primarily a songwriter I can help polish any loose ends in the writing process of the song itself. I can assist in producing and arranging pretty much any genre, and always drawn to create original and authentic new sounds. I can mix your track, and always do what is right for the specific song I'm working on. I can overdub guitars, bass, harmonium, santoor, keys, drums and pretty much what ever you song requires. I have a huge community of excellent session music I'm in touch with that can also do the job if needed. Mastering the tracks is also an option.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am finalising a new Kirtan album for my Omakr Kirtan project. And I'm always mixing and producing for different clients.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog if you have the time and budget and a contact for a really good repairs and maintenance person. For me digital because of the smoother work flow, mobility and reliability. I work with both and honestly it's getting more challenging to spot the differences. Universal Audio for example do such an amazing job of emulating all the classic analog gear.

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

A: If I work with you, you will also be getting my full commitment and hearts attention. It's beyond a simple business transaction. That's why I don't like calling music a business or industry. Music comes from the soul's deepest expression. It is much much more than any mundane transaction.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE my job. I love the feeling of helping to create beauty and art. Few other things in the world seem more meaningless than this.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What stage is your song at? Is the writing complete? Have you started any production or recording for it? What are your references? what's the budget? What's the deadline?

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

A: Just shoot me a message and we can have a conversation. Nothing beats communicating directly. I'll listen to your dream and you can determine if I can assist you fulfilling it.

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

A: oh boy assuming there was a power source there it would be: - Laptop - Apollo + all UAD plugins - Guitalele - U87 - Headphones

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

A: I've been in recording studios from the age of 14! so that's 26 years. The first time was when I recorded an amateurish single with my school band. I remember I instantly fell in love with the studio and felt at home. I resolved to keep coming back in anyways possible. In my early twenties I moved back to Australia after spending some time in NYC and India. I parachuted straight into the heart of the local pop-rock scene and was fortunate to release a few albums as an artist through major labels and work with some amazing musicians, producers and engineers. I later started taking on the production and engineering helm myself and been alternating hats between artist, producer and engineer. They all go hand in hand together honestly.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Warm, uplifting and Creative.

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

A: Would be great to work with Geoff Lynne to peep over his shoulder and see how he gets that drum sound! Also would be great to work with Beck and Kanye West. I'm sure creativity would be spraying in all directions with those guys!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more... You don't have to try and cram too much information into a track. remembering that it ends of being funnelled out into 2 tracks only. Also be committed and daring. the curse of the modern technology is too much choice. In the past when people had 4 channels only and minimum choices they were able to create magic. So just believe in it and go go go!

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

A: I work on a wide variety of music. Mainly my own projects Old Man River and Omkar Kirtan. One is an eclectic anthemic pop project with so many different genres and styles that it is almost impossible to pigeon hole. the other is a Mantra- World Music project that focuses on uplifting and healing spirits. but I work with a lot of clients some create electronic music some kids songs some are singer/songwriters it really varies.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: flexibility and adaptability. knowing how to apply the right tools for the right situation.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the total wisdom accumulated from decades of being involved in the music world (I hate referring to it as the music industry). Years of being a successful songwriter and performer help me perfect those songwriting skills and I find when people bounce off each other, that's when you get the best results. So it's always good to open up the creative process to people you trust and enjoy working with. The same approach applies to production and mixing. The wisdom I feel is the ability to do what is right for the song. That pure approach puts the focus on the music and not any of the background noise that can sometimes accompany...

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I listen. And during this process I intuitively start imagining what the song needs. this applies to songwriting, production or mixing. Having that initial vision is the most important stage then all the rest is just mostly technical steps. I like working fast!! I find the more time you spend on something you tend to squeeze the juice out of it. It's so important to keep the initial vibe and excitement going for the song. I'll also be a perfectionist about all the nitty gritty, but the essential core work is done rather quick.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio setup. I work in a carefully treated room. The room is pretty small, rectangle shape and has a really good sound. I track most instruments and vocals in here and tend to take bigger recordings such as drums, strings or live band, to bigger studios nearby, or sometimes I'll outsource eg. get a drummer in his home studio setup to track drums and send the track over. My space is great for mixing and I prefer to do all my mixing here, as I know the sound really well. I work almost a 100% in the box except for some outboard preamps that I occasionally use. I rely mostly on Universal Audio hardware and plugins. I use really great mics to get best results like Neumann condensers, few ribbons and all the Shure dynamics. These days my go to DAW is Logic X but I also use Pro Tools. I monitor on Yamaha HS8 and a few other crappy speakers to get a better read of how stuff might sound out in the real world.

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

A: I am greatly inspired by creative musicians and producers. the ones that are explorers and in constant search of creating music that moves you on a deeper level. I am a great fan of the Beatles and their engineering team namely: Geoff Emerick, Ken Scott and George Martin. Love anything that Jeff Lynne ever laid his hands on. And more relevant to our times love Nigel Godriche's productions and the more experimental approaches like the ones from Tame Impala's Kevin Parker.