Songwriter, Producer, Artist

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

A: I started out working on an album when I was 17. I wrote an entire album called, Wonderland," which you can hear on Spotify still (cringe) if you search, "Analisa." I think I got mixed up with a Christian artist with the same name, so our tracks are meshed together. I'm proud that I wrote the album at that age, and found a producer in my hometown (San Francisco), to bring it to life, but it wasn't what I had in my head and I had to part ways and get out of the contract. It's been years of figuring out how to produce better, write better, find producers I work well with all to find out I'm very particular and mostly want to produce for myself. It's been interesting being a woman in this industry producing and playing electric guitar in my band. People seem to be astounded by it, which is nice but funny. Recently, while I am still finishing up my Songwriting Degree at LA College of music I am in the process of signing to a music management and publishing company called Honua Music run by Ron Moss. This is a new chapter for me where I will be put into even more challenging and rewarding writing sessions this year (2018). I feel like I am jumping out of my smaller pond and into a bigger one that is going to be very gratifying but a lot of hard work. I can't wait to get even better than I am now. I love progress, learning and growth and always want to push myself to be better. Right now I'm producing a really great artist, Taylor Lenz. She is a great pop songwriter and talented singer from Missouri. I see a lot of potential in her and I want to invest in artists I believe in.

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

A: I usually work on pop, indie pop, r&b sometimes grunge and folk.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record on a Lewitt LCT 640 ts Dual-output condenser mic into an Apollo Twin microphone preamplifier. I use Ableton, LogicX and Protools. I have the latest Kontakt library. For guitar, I own a 1960's Ampeg Gemini VI guitar amp.

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

A: In the past, I most commonly wrote lyrics and melody over tracks, recorded vocals for already existing songs, or I wrote the music and lyrics from scratch. Now as I am progressing in my music production career, I sound design synths, make drum beats, and chord progressions for clients. I can also do a double production/songwriting package for a discounted price!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on an EP for Taylor Lenz. I am co-producing it with Adryannamusic. I also attend a once a week songwriter's club with my friends because we are nerds and want so badly to better ourselves as writers. NEVER STOP working on yourself and your craft.

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

A: I'm actually pretty proud of my song, "Who Knew," being in the Tyga music video, "Dope," ft. Rick Ross because I made that song back when I was still in the Bay Area on my laptop on GARAGE BAND! Every timeI complain that I don't have all of the gear I need to bring my songs to life, I think of that and realize, sometimes it's the magic of the moment, and the intention and care you put into a song rather than the bells and whistles that get you places you couldn't really have imagined. I produced song when I felt really emotional and needed an outlet. I wasn't thinking about success or even about being good. I just poured out my feelings, and I really think that's an important and pivotal lesson for me to continuously look back on and learn from.

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

A: I would completely %1,000 recommend my friend, Reggii. She's an amazing singer, and writer. She's actually my co-writing partner if I ever need any help. Check out her songs on Spotify! You won't be disappointed.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Oh my. I wish everything of mine was Analog, but that's just my preference. I like the warmth and the life in it. For now, digital is what helps me get my ideas out fast, but as time goes on I am working on adding a bit more "real" sounds to my sessions. But to also contradict myself a bit, I love the sound of 808s, hi hats, synth bass. I think there's still a way to do that more organically with actually synthesizers rather than plug ins and create a happy marriage of programmed and organic.

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

A: I will work on the song until you're happy and satisfied. I'm not going to rush you for the payout.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to daydream and tell stories all day. What a life! Also, the connection with other people. I love talking with others and getting to live in their shoes for a bit.

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

A: I usually don't get as many questions as I do requests. I feel like I do more of the asking to make sure the client is getting what they want. But I would say maybe the most common question would have to be am I comfortable doing a certain genre. If I really feel like it's out of my element, I'll refer them to someone else, but I usually feel pretty comfortable and flexible in a lot of genres and based on back and forth with the client, trial and error, we usually get something they are pretty satisfied with.

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

A: I have learned over the years to not judge a book by it's cover (although I do that with actual books hehe). Until you actually l get to know someone you really don't have the right to sum them up in your head. I mostly get from people that they didn't realize I had so much adversity in my life, and that I look like I am this healthy girl who has everything without a care in the world. The truth is I'm blessed in many ways, but dealing with a mental illness, a chronic painful physical disability and a plethora of other personal issues has really taught me that I can't see life as only good or bad, black or white. My curses are my blessings, and my blessings can be my downfalls. I have such strong empathy for others, and I truly feel other people's pain because of all the pain I have experienced, and for that and all the material it's given me to write about I'm thankful for the bad stuff.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always like to ask about references. If you have song references ready (already existing songs that show your melodic, lyrical and content preference) that's really helpful so that we can make sure we are on the same page. I always want to know how open you are to me making something up entirely on my own, or if you have a strong direction and idea for the topic.

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

A: I would say trust your gut. That's how I do everything. It's important that people have awards, and a great resume etc, but it's more important how their vibe, genre and personality fits you best and if you think they will be the one to bring your idea to life.

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

A: My new microphone because a good mic is everything, a new preamp (that I'm going to buy soon because a good mic and a preamp is absolutely everything), a computer of some sort to record my ideas, a recording device to write, and a guitar.

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

A: A current artist I would love to work with Julia Michaels. I think her writing style is amazing and I really love her authenticity. I feel like I hear a lot of people suggest that pop music is corny or easy to write, when in reality it is the opposite, and everything from lyrics to melodies to story telling stand out more obviously whether it's for the good or the bad.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Now adays people tend to produce and mix at the same time. I try to produce out an idea as fast as I can with out judgement, using my gut and intuition before I let myself worry about the sound of the kick or the EQ of the vocals. I'm working on being fast enough to do both without it ruining the creativity, but that takes time. For now, mixing for me as a process that happens after the ideas come flooding out. One thing I'm learning is that less is more and subtractive EQ is more important than additive in a beginner's case because we don't know how to utilize all the tools yet and can really only make things sound more muddy.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Lyrics, melody and production ideas and running full speed ahead with the idea of the client yet being flexible. I recently wrote a song for a client on Soundbetter that asked for a song that was a mix between Tracy Chapman's Fast Car, and something more contemporary. After a few trials and missing the mark, we talked more in depth until I was able to see she cared more about the story telling aspect of the song rather than trying to make it sound current. I wrote a song called, "Suitcase and Map," that I'm pretty proud of. When there were a few lines that she wasn't completely sold on, I wrote about 3-4 others until she was satisfied since this was going to represent her as an artist.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have been told by people I work with that they like the authenticity of my writing. I tend to write about what I know which is mental illness but if I am working with others I try really hard to get into their head space, empathize and understand where they are at mentally. I really try and put myself in their situation and write from their point of view. I also believe I bring a quirkiness to the table through my melodies and production ideas. I like to find a new way to say the same old thing. Instead of saying, "I won't tie you down", I like this line I came up with the other the day (although kind of dark) which was, "I'm not a noose that you need to cut off and play dead." In a pop production context it doesn't sound so morbid! :D

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For my own writing, I might start a beat or a production on the computer and top-line over drums or a synth. Sometimes I will start a song on the guitar. For working with other people, I like to get into their headspace. I make sure I really understand what they want, and what they are going for. I make sure I gather enough information to get the best results, such as asking what their references are melodically, songwriting wise, and production wise to make sure I am headed in the right direction before I even begin writing.

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

A: Pharrell William's production and songwriting, Brian Wilson's songwriting, The Kill's production and writing, Julia Michael's writing, Elliott Smith's writing, and all the oldies but goodies such as Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, James Brown, The Beatles.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style for my own artist project is trippy, indie, dark.