Bass, Guitar, Songwriting

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

A: I don't think there's a cookie-cutter response to this. Everyone's questions are unique, because each project is unique. Don't worry about other people's questions. Just reach out and ask me YOUR questions. That's what I want to answer.

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

A: Really, the Facts About Crows project that I am working on now is my favorite. It's really expressive and wonderfully rewarding to work with someone like Sara who, just by doing her thing, pushes me into new creative musical situations. Don't get me wrong, I have been very fortunate to play with a lot of great people in the past. But ,I tend to think the most important game is always the next one. Like my hero, Edna Modes says, "I never look back, darling. It distracts from the Now."

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

A: To always put your wants and the needs of the song first!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: As a voice actor, I get to spend my work day in the studio, sitting in a little room talking to myself, and I get paid for it. As a musician, I get to use my talent, hard-learned skills, and equipment to bring my own and other artists dreams to life. It's literally magic, creation of something from nothing. I can't think of anything better than that.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Tell me about the mood of the piece. What does it feel like to you? Can you give me an example of songs that have a really great tone for this instrument? What are you trying to sound like? Do you want me to improvise at all, or stick to the chart? Are you open to artistic interpretation?

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

A: I suppose a boat is not the kind of gear you're asking about?

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

A: I've been playing for over 30 years. I spent many years working in music stores, connecting with tons of great local musicians, sitting in where I could. Developing bands and songwriters came later. Just a really organic process of experience with lots of great players.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: As a bassist, I love to just find the groove and lay into it. Put a little funk on it, or give it a bit of melody.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: An original project with Sara Ess called Facts About Crows. It's the first time in years that I've focused on a project that is by-and-large my own material. Very exciting!

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

A: Chiara Cotugno (https://soundbetter.com/profiles/250492-chiara-cotugno). What an amazing drummer! Really easy to work with. She's good people!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am a working voice actor, so I am in the studio recording virtually every day. I work mostly in Nuendo, with a variety of virtual instruments from N.I., Korg, Novation, etc... plus a ton of plug-ins from Waves, Eventide, IK Multimedia, and more. I don't, however, believe in using something just to use it. I believe in having the right tool for the job. I have microphones from Telefunken, Rode, Shure, EV, and more and run them into a Focusrite Liquid pre so I can dial up just the right tone. I mix on JBL LSR4326 monitors and BeyerDynamic DT770s. I have a customized Fender P-bass, but mostly play my Cirrus 5 string. I can mic my Eden or SWR rig, or just run direct, whichever sounds best. For guitars I have a couple of customized Strats and a PRS SemiHollow. I play through an Egnater Tweaker for the versatility, as well as an array of pedals. I also have a couple of 1970's Lawsuit Era Takamine's (a nylon and a steel string) for acoustics.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to think I bring professionalism and a sense of working in the best interest of the song. I have zero ego about my playing. I don't care if I'm only playing one note, as long as it is the right note for the piece. I am the kid who was happy to play the triangle in school band, if that's what's needed.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with listening. First to the artist, so they can describe their vision, wants, needs, and expectations so I can be clear on what I can do for the project. Then I listen to the track and try to dig out its groove or the spirit of what it's trying to say. Once I pick up an instrument, I usually play too many notes, trying to experiment and develop what I'm hearing into what the artist is looking for. From their I whittle it down until we've achieved everything the artist is hoping for, and with luck, just a little more!

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

A: People who are true to themselves and play what's in their hearts inspire me. I don't care what kind of music it is or how technical, fancy, trendy, or produced it is. If it doesn't speak to the truth of the song you can tell. I'd rather listen to 5 kids wailing in the garage, some old cat playing drums on buckets, pots and pans, or someone rhyming on a street corner but doing it with heart, than a bunch of top end pros in a LA studio making soulless music just to pay the bills.

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

A: Usually I am adding guitar and/or bass parts to a track, or doing some arranging to help a developing artist find the potential in their songs. Or, I am asked to add a bass part that feels more "Real" to a track, or add to a track that is "Missing Something."

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I don't see why they need to be exclusive. Use the analog gear that helps you achieve the sound you're after. The same goes for the digital tools available. It's all about making the song sound its best. If it does, what does it matter?

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

A: That what you are paying for is a "Vocal Recording" or a "Bass Line" or a "Guitar track." What you are paying for is the years of time and effort spent learning and developing our skills, the piles of money we've invested in having just the right gear, and the time and professionalism we bring to your project. We feel it's worth it. Please make sure you show the musicians you work with that you agree!

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

A: Ask questions! Give Direction! Speak Up! Don't hold back and assume we're going to automatically hear what you hear. If something I play isn't quite what you're looking for, I'd rather you tell me so I can fix it, than settle for less than what you want. Good communication is the foundation of a great track (and many other things!)

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

A: Tori Amos. Seriously? You have to ask why??? C'mon...

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I record 3 sources for each acoustic guitar part. A direct signal off the pickup, a pencil condenser pointed at about the 12-14th fret, and a room mic a few feet back. Then I blend those together to get the "Acoustic Tone." I try to use as little EQ as possible.

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

A: Mostly female fronted "Adult Alternative." But really, that label is a cop-out. It ranges from Adele, to Sara Bareilles, to KT Tunstall, to Christina Perri, to Avril Lavinge, to Latin influenced performers and more... But usually, that's where I end up landing these days.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I try to bring confidence to the other musicians and songwriters I work with. If they don't have to stress about the Bass part or the Guitar part or whatever I'm working on, then they can relax and really lay into the parts that will really let them and their music shine.