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

A: Having spent a lot of time in studios composing and recording multi-tracked guitar parts, a solo instrumental guitar part I had to write for a client a couple of years ago was particularly rewarding. Not only was it unusual, but quite technically demanding, but more than worth all the rehearsal that went into producing something so beautiful.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Regular work for a company producing backing tracks for guitarists, composition work for an artist in Austria, and writing an 80s Rock-style solo for a film soundtrack.

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

A: Jack R Hardman is a superb producer who I've worked with a number of times over the years. He always brings a unique angle to a song which gives cool and unexpected results.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both are possible but with today's quick deadlines, and the huge range of quality effects that are now available, digital is often preferable.

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

A: I'm honest and friendly. I'll tell the truth and I won't overcharge. Building long-term working relationships with people is more important than trying to rinse a client for as much money as possible at the first opportunity.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I feel fortunate to do something creative for a living, contributing to a range of cool projects, and learning from many brilliant musicians along the way.

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

A: "Can you play Wonderwall....?" "Yes." ;)

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

A: That writing a sparse or simple riff to complement a song, is much easier than a busy or technical solo. It's not! Knowing when to leave gaps is often far more important than trying fill the gaps, and will provide better results.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Examples of songs or parts that they find inspirational can help us to arrive at a satisfying result much quicker. I often ask to hear examples of an artists previous work, to get a feel for their journey and where they've come from.

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

A: 1. Look at a range of profiles to really get a feel for what's out there. 2. Hire me! ;)

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

A: Fender Strat, Fender Amp, my Boss Blues Driver pedal, Boss DD6 for all those wonderful delays... handful of plectrums - they always go missing!

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

A: I turned professional aged 21, playing in bands and teaching guitar in schools. I then spent 10 years in an originals band, gigging, writing and lucky enough to work with some truly inspirational musicians and producers along the way. Now well into my 30s I still have a desire to learn, improve and collaborate with other musicians.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: It's the part and the mood that counts, so equally at home on an electric or an acoustic.

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

A: I would've loved to have been the guitarist in the Beach Boys! Brian Wilson created the most beautiful arrangements with all of those lush vocal harmonies; truly a dream job for any guitarist or instrumentalist.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: After getting the recommendation from a mastering engineer I was once working with, I do often 'bus' any riffs or solos to a stereo delay plug-in to add a little bit of width and ambience - it can really help a part find it's own place within a mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to listen to a track a few times before I start writing, just to get a feel for the rhythm and the overall vibe. Where a client has a good idea of what they want, a conversation is important. The process should reflect the genre and specific desires of the client but putting the song on a loop and jamming to it can often produce cool results when generating ideas.

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

A: Pop and Rock are naturally the most common for guitarists but I've played on an increasing amount of EDM lately which has been great for encouraging me to think outside of the box and discover fresh sounds.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Being a musician first, and a guitarist second - so understanding what a song or genre requires, before starting work. I feel this enables me to be consistently authentic in my creations.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A composers mind through a guitarists body! As a session guitarist it's more important to enhance the message and vibe of the song, rather than try to impose your own ego on the song. If this means only playing a few notes to really create something impactful, then so be it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have some great Fender and Ibanez guitars which I generally record straight into my Focusrite interface, adding effects later via NI Guitar Rig. I can also mic up a Fender or Hiwatt valve amp for something a little more vintage. I record using Logic X on a Mac Book Pro.

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

A: I love guitarists who have their own sound - you know that you're listening to players such as Jeff Beck or David Gilmour from the very first note. I also respect producers and writers who create tracks where the arrangements evolve and breathe - something I try to achieve with my arrangements.

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

A: Typically solos in various styles but in the last 12 months I've written parts for a few EDM tracks as well, which has been great fun and something I'm keen to do more of.