Organic Pop Rock With Soul

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

A: While I am artistic, when it comes to your project, I am a service provider. I am trying my hardest to help YOU express YOUR art. Not the other way around. Unless of course we are co-writing, then dammit I'm expressing my art, too.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the goal of your project? What do you see in me that connected us for this particular song? What does this song mean to you? How do you want the music to make you feel?

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

A: Don't put too much stock into "credits." Really take the time to look at the quality of the person you're considering. Music is about humanity and expressing the human experience. I've been absolutely blown away by talent on here that haven't figured out how to get a lot of work through SoundBetter. They just need that nudge from amazing people who take the time to dig through all the noise and take a chance on someone new.

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

A: My grand piano, harmonicas, ukuleles, guitars, and that's about it. As long as I can play, I'll manage.

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

A: I decided a long time ago I couldn't work for a corporation, so my path has been building my studio and clientele for the past 8 years on my own. My wife is a HUGE supporter and has been with me every step of the way. Without her, I'd be completely lost in this industry. I've been blessed with success enough to support us and our daughters.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Organic pop with soul! I definitely have an old soul and I bring that sensibility with me into 2020.

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

A: Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees. He's just amazing. We have very similar vocal styles, so it would be insanely great to just sit and sing with each other in a session sometime. Tyler if you are reading this, totally hit me up on insta. Luh you.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When coming up with a great mic/pre combo, try to pair bright mics with darker pres and brighter pres with darker mics. What you end up with is a really pleasing harmonic quality to the audio that usually doesn't require too much EQ to fit into a mix.

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

A: Singer/Songwriter, Pop, Rock, and Folk, always with a soulful element added.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Melody.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring honesty, and a real desire to express truth in a way that cuts through all the noise and bullshit. Elements need to come together to support and carry the message or story the music is trying to express. Any producer can come up with clever riffs, hooks, and lush sounds. It is another task entirely to bring elements together that are greater than the sum of their parts. As a vocalist, I put my whole soul into what I am singing about. Most of the time, though, that doesn't mean belting the words. Often times it is holding back and allowing the passion and energy to build. My background is performing live, so my focus is always "how are people going to feel hearing this."

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depending on what I am being asked to do, it is extremely important to me to meet my clients on a phone call if possible, so I can get to know them and really understand what they are trying to accomplish with their project. If I feel like I can help elevate their vision, then I'll take on the job and do my very best. I have found that clear communication is the very best way to ensure every project turns out amazing. I've been lucky so far to have had the pleasure of meeting and working with really special people.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm a bit of a gear head. My studio is acoustically treated for mixing and I have an absolutely killer recording booth built into the structure of my home. It has wood floors, adobe walls, and treatment from LA sound panels all over, so it has a wonderful live, yet neutral sound. It basically gives me a raw vocal sound that I don't have to really mess with in post for it to really sparkle and stand out in a track. I am a Universal Audio fanboy. My Apollos (x8p, Twin MkII, and 16mkII) are my babies. My interfaces clock into a Black Lion Audio Micro Clock XB mkIII and monitor on a beautiful pair of Amphions. All of that together allows me to produce and mix in an environment where I hear pristine and beautiful audio. While I own pretty much every UAD plugin made, I have a rack of beautiful outboard gear and a vintage console from the 70s. For tracking, I have u47s, a C12, a u87, an L22 from Townsend, and the AMAZING Mojave MA1000. I have API pres and vintage EQs, Neve pres, and an Avalon 737. My goal is for the audio getting captured in the room to go into the DAW sounding radio ready.

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

A: Brandon Flowers from The Killers is a huge inspiration to me. Obviously the band is legendary, but his solo pop career has a sensibility that really pulls me in. It has that organic pop with soul that I crave in all of my own productions. It's just great music.

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

A: I produce vocals every day, write melodies, produce tracks, create songs, and also help arrange existing songs to help them flow better. A well written song, in the right key, with a killer arrangement is a pleasure to produce. It makes it a lot of fun for me.