Damian Metcalf on SoundBetter

"Lush piano vibes" is the way a client recently described my sound. Anyone can plunk out a piano part, but it takes hands and experience like mine to craft a rich piano track that will elevate your song and move your listeners.

I will deliver world-class piano & keyboard tracks for your mix.

I have experience playing in a variety of styles. Though classically trained, my specialty lies in the grittier sounds of rock, funk, and my own genre-defying blend of gnarly synths and heavy percussion.

I have a unique ability to create compelling motifs that bolster a melody without distracting from it. My playing also tends to lend a distinct rhythmic flair to any song.

I have been honing my piano skills for about 23 years now. When I first started lessons, it was clear that I had a gift for the instrument. Before long, I was in high demand for my friends' music projects. This led to years of live gigs, including cover bands and worship teams, and has now led to my current foray into session work.

I believe my music speaks for itself.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Damian Metcalf

by Graham O.
Verified
Worked with a Damian a second time based on a very positive first experience. The style of song was different but I was happy to find that Damians ear knows no bounds! He was very delicate with the piece and responded well to my briefs and suggestions between versions. I look forward to working with him again.
by Graham O.
Verified
Damian worked on a track of mine which had a basic idea but needed someone with a great touch and skill with the piano to make it come to life. Damian took the brief and came back to me with a quality piano line which I was immediately proud to include in my song. He was easy to work with, very helpful and patient (there was a time difference between us). I would strongly recommend using Damian on your next project as he is a top quality piano player and musician.
by Matthew
Damian has played with me in multiple church worship services. He is a wonderful piano player who knows when to hit the right notes at the right times. He can easily adapt to other musicians and is very good at lead lines and fills where needed. In addition, he is a very talented drummer with great rhythm. Simply put, he is one of the most talented musicians I have ever been around. He has a humble attitude and is a great person to work with. I throughly enjoy praising Jesus together with Damian in the church services/retreats/worship nights where we have served together.

Interview with Damian Metcalf

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The best part is getting lost in a song. Sometimes I'll record 30 more takes than I need, just because I like playing the song so much. No other job has that.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: A great song must have proper hierarchy: The melody must serve the lyrics, the chords must serve the melody, and the rhythm must serve the mood generated by all of the above. If you get these elements out of order, your song will probably be wonky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I shine my brightest when the music is aggressive and funky, or when it is blindingly epic.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Years and years of experience. I've learned with time that there are a thousand ways to play a chord. As a seasoned musician, I also know when to use each one.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I find it best to play along to a song quite a few times before I start recording. It's important to understand the logic of the arrangement before jumping in, especially as it relates to dynamics. Once I know the song inside and out, I record slowly, section by section. I listen back many times to ensure I'm actually adding value to the song, rather than just a flashy or distracting keyboard part. Then I refine each section until it's perfect.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I'm running Logic Pro X, Omnisphere, and Keyscape on a MacBook Pro. I usually use my Roland RD-700 as a simple MIDI controller, but sometimes I use its built-in sounds for some tasty synth action.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Neal Morse and Matt Bellamy are probably my two greatest musical heroes.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I usually record piano tracks for songs that have already been written, though I would welcome the opportunity to be more involved in the composition process.