Producer, Songwriter, Arranger

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A new project of my own music

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog preferred, it's easier to bend sound on analog gear and more fun to experiment with all the various knobs and such

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

A: That your album will sound amazing and you will actually want to listen to it!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Mixing, writing string arrangements, cooking, laughing!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I'm mostly curious to hear their songs, if the songs are good everything else can fall into place.

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

A: Listen to what I've worked on and if you think I can help advance and innovate your sound please reach out!

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

A: MCI JH500 Pre's, Microtech Gefell UM92, Yamaha Monitors, Distressor, Plate Verb

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

A: I started as a musician and songwriter. As my interest in production grew I hung around and asked too many questions and experimented on the gear whenever I was allowed the chance! I've been working on albums for 30 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Joe Boyd meets John Cale

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

A: Hope Sandoval- she's an absolute innovator and I love her voice... Willie Nelson- I love his phrasing and guitar playing... Pink Mountaintops- Steve McBean makes damn fine records and I'd love to help him build something new... Nilufer Yanya- great songwriter and one of my favourite new voices and accents!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Freak out sometimes

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

A: I've worked on several folk rock and country rock projects but my preference is working on weirder versions of those genres that incorporate other textures whether obtuse, abrasive or grandiose.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Telling the artist the truth and solving their problems

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Food, drink & other substance planning is paramount so the artist has no obstruction. I want the artist to feel like themselves and so I make space in order for that to happen. I tend to spend a lot of time on pre-production and planning. Choosing the right material and musicians for the project. Every project is different but when the artist arrives in the studio I am ready to record live off the floor or in an overdub piece by piece scenario, setup is done prior to the artists arrival so delays are minimal and obstruction is nil. Meals are planned so we have no wants but to make music!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Ideas, flow, melody, innovation, texture, momentum

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

A: Co-writes, Arrangements, Engineering, Cooking, Experimentation

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a small overdub studio, otherwise I rent larger spaces for more elaborate productions. I particularly like setting up in remote locations, cabins, churches, halls and anything with the right vibrations.

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

A: I'm particularly fond of records made in the mid 70's, Curtis Mayfield, Willie Nelson, T Rex, Bee Gees, Dolly Parton etc. but I also love the records of New Order, The Cure, Depeche Mode etc.