Compose/Producer/Songwriter

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

A: I recently composed and produced additional music for a feature film titled 10 Minutes Gone starring Bruce Willis and Michael Chiklis. I worked closely with the lead composer on the film and wrote around 10 cues for this project. It was a challenge and a quick turnaround and in the end it turned out to be a pretty awesome soundtrack. It was an honor to write music to scenes with Bruce Willis and Michael Chiklis and I was definitely about to check that off my bucket list.

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

A: I'm a multi instrumentalist so I'm always in a variety of genres. I work with artists/songwriters on a regular basis crafting there tracks tailored to fit there style weather it be folk rock to pop music. I am always working with other producers in a variety of genres as well. I'll provide upright bass and piano for a jazz track for one producer; guitar, ukulele and mandolin for a folk rock track for another; or even strings and orchestral percussion for a pop ballad for another producer. I'm an eclectic musician and find that to be one of my strengths. This also allows me to work in a variety of musical genres. I also write music for film and television.

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

A: I'd love to work with Daft Punk! Their productions are so great and they have such a unique take on music production. When a Daft Punk track comes on you know it, and you love it! They are amazing collaberators from their film work to there album collabs. It would be incredible and a dream to work with them!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working with a variety of artists who are in development. Lot's of songwriting sessions and pre production. I'm also scoring a few micro short horror films and working on an music education sing along album for kids.

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

A: Alex Arias is a wonderful and talented songwriter and producer. I have worked with him on may records and project throughout the years and he's a total pro! Zak St. John is also an incredible session drummer that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a killer drum recording. His playing is great and he's also a very techy drummer with a big variety of drum kits and sounds to choose from. Both of these guys are the real deal!!!!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either is great for me! They both have benefits and challenges that come along with them. Let's not worry about that and just make great music!

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

A: I promise to be genuine, honest and authentic. I'll offer every piece of my heart and musical soul to any given project I work on. I promise every client I work that we'll get there if we stay calm and collected, work as a team, and are open to honest communication and feedback.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love collaboration! It's such a pleasure to create art with talented, driven individuals who want to share their gift with the world. Music makes the world a better place so let's make some music and "let's dance"!!

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

A: Why should I hire you rather than the other guy/girl? "I'm passionate about every project i sign onto (or else I won't sign on) and I love the process. I have a strong production skill set and play a variety of instruments. I can arrange and orchestrate and write songs. I am easy to work with, I strive to make powerful music that moves people (wether it be physically or emotionally), and I love making music. I work quickly and I'm very flexible. I also have a large resource of session musicians and engineers/studio owners who I've collaborated with for years. I'm honest, authentic and fun to be around, Le'ts do it! Lets make a record and have some fun!!!

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

A: The biggest misconception about making music for a living is that it's easy. That is completely false!!! It's fun because I love what I do but it's hard work!! Countless hours are spent on writing, making beats, recording bass, drums, guitars, vocals , editing, mixing, re editing, re mixing, revisions, overdubs, more editing, cleaning audio, more writing, pre production, recording, mixing, mastering, arranging strings and brass, notating for musicians, preparing charts, session prep etc.....It's all hard work but I love it and I wouldn't want to do anything else. As musicians, we have an obligation to educate clients and people of what goes into the craft. Some musicians spend their entire life dedicated to learning and mastering their instrument and craft (orchestra players especially).

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try anything and if it does'nt work then can it! I work in a "NO FREE ZONE" which means there is no such thing as a bad idea until you try it! You'll never know if it's good or bad until you give it a real shot. Lay it down and make the decision if it's good or bad after.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of my home studio out of Woodland Hills. I have a variety of instruments (synthesizers, guitars, basses, banjos, mandolin and other toys), microphones (SM7b, Slate VMS ML-1, Mojave MA 201 FET, Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Mic, pair of SM 57's and a few other custom microphones), top industry sample libraries and virtual instruments (Spitfire, SWING, 8Dio, Omnisphere, Serum, a large library of Kontakt instruments) and top of the industry plugins (UAD, Waves, Slate, Soundtoys). My audio interface is Universal Audio Apollo Quad and mi MIDI interface is a iConnectivity MioXL. These days I monitor with the KRK ROKIT 5's with a sub. They do the job! My studio is perfect for smaller sessions (vocals, guitar, bass, percussion, keys/synths) and songwriting sessions. It's a very inspiring place to work and you can always find a new toy to pick up and play with. Often times that's how a songwriting session will start.

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

A: I love great music and I'm inspired by anything that can move me emotionally. As a bassist, I love Motown and all that has to offer. The bass, drums, vocals and orchestral components of Motown music always intrigues me and is always in the back of my mind. I love incorporating a modern take on the Motown sound into my productions when I can. I also love rock music (alt rock, acoustic rock, pop rock, I love it all)! I played in bands for many years and I of course always love a hard hitting drum beat, a driving bass, any guitars (acoustic electric) and even synthesizers. I also love film scores and I draw a lot of my inspiration from film and television. Anyone from Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Ratatoille, Up, Coco) to Thomas Newman (Finding Memo, American Beauty) to Randy Newman (Toy Story, Marriage Story) to Hans Zimmer (Dark Night, Blue Planet, Inception) inspire me. Drawing from all of these different genres makes me eclectic and open to explore any musical idea.

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

A: I started my career playing in bands and doing session bass work in 2007. I attended Musicians Institute right out of high school and started building my production chops. I began producing a lot of instrumental music and working with any producer, songwriter or artist who needed extra help. During that time I started working with producer, Alex Arias. Alex Arias brought me on to record bass for the country group, Gloriana (produced by Matt Serletic) and started using me regularly for his own productions. From there I really began to incorporate other instrumentation into my work flow. I began doing more string and brass arrangements and experimenting with different production styles and genres. Through this process i found film. I found a love for film music and decided I wanted to further my education so I attended the UCLA Film Scoring Extension program where I had the opportunity to write and arrange for the orchestra and work with top musicians. Short after that I attended an internship at Remote Control Productions (Hans Zimmer) which led to a runner position, which led to an assistant composer position at Bleeding Fingers Music Shop for composer, Josh Atchley. During my time at Bleeding Fingers I was able to write additional music for shows like Alaskan Bush People, Savage Kingdom, Homestead Rescue and Locked Up Abroad to name a few. I have also contributed additional music to feature films including 10 Minutes Gone (Bruce Willis, Michael Chiklis) and Grand Isle (Nicolas Cage, Kelsey Grammar) and have also had some success placing music in advertisements. A few of my ad clients include Starbucks, Beneful, Touch of Modern and Tok Tok. I continue to write my own music, score film and work with songwriters, producers and musicians on a daily basis. I'm always excited for the next project and really love the craft of production.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Bass guitar is definitely my strongest skill. I have been playing bass for over 15 years and can play in a variety of genres ranging from rock, pop, motown, jazz and country. I play double bass, electric, acoustic and fretless bass. I read musician can record professional quality bass tracks under very quick turnaround times.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my musicianship and the ability to make decisions on the fly. It's important to always be making decisions and not get caught up. I play a variety of instruments and have a strong knowledge of arranging and orchestration. If you are working with me, I'll guarantee we will always find a musical solution to any musical problem that may arise. There is always a solution

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depending on the genre (pop, rock, artist, film) my process is basically always pretty similar. I love getting to know whoever I work with. I try to find out what makes them tick (musically and personally) and what emotional response are they looking to achieve with their music. Do you want this track to make you feel nostalgic or do you want it to pump you up? Do you want it to portray a sense of longing or feel like it doesn't give a shit? All of this is usually done through sharing music that inspires them and also just getting to know each other. Each project is different and unique. I love the collaboration process and thrive in those moments. Music is meant to share with other individuals and it's important to work with other people regularly. It keeps you inspired, keeps you energized and it keeps your music fresh.

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

A: I write a lot of music to picture these days but often I'm brought on to a project to produce a track (for an artist or songwriter) from start to finish. I also get a lot of work from other producers and for those projects, generally I provide a variety of instrumentation ranging from bass (electric, upright or synth), keys/synths, strings, brass, and drums/percussion. Each project is unique and I may be brought on to provide simply one or even a few elements (for example: upright bass, piano & strings).

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Strong low end, tasty grooves and hard hitting beats. Expressive orchestral elements and organic beds of acoustic and electric guitar elements. Beautiful pads and melodies that make you feel warm and fuzzy, dark seductive or smooth and sleek. Authentic, unique and flexible.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you trying to accomplish with your music or project? Do you want this on top 40 radio or is that not a concern for you? Do you have a sound that you like and want to draw inspiration from? What or who inspires you??

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

A: Go with your gut and trust your first instinct. If it's a good fit, you'll know.

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

A: Acoustic Guitar, Shaker, Upright bass, ukulele and a tape machine. Just so i can get that vibe bland vibe going......