Singer/Songwriter/Producer

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

A: Search for John Buteyn. He's the best mixing engineer. Period.

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

A: Question: What do you think? Answer: We are close, let's get closer.

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

A: It's important to note that I am not here to make a Patrick Barry song, I am here to help you make YOUR song...as good as possible. I will have an opinion, but at the end of the day our goal is to make your art together...and make it as good as you envision it could be (and hopefully even better).

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It is important to me to understand the vision they have for the finished product. A lot of times that might be a difficult question that might be a very personal or elaborate answer. I find that when an artist can attempt to explain in their own words what they are looking for... it helps shape the collaboration and allows me to jump on board with our goals aligned...to get there.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating art and partnering with creative people for a job is unreal, I feel very lucky.

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

A: I am very excited about my latest release "Coffee in the Morning." It's a truly personal song about adapting to a more domesticated life, but appreciating the beauty in the everyday mundane. I wrote, recorded, produced and arranged the track. Check it out and let me know what you think!

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

A: I'll do everything I can to try and understand your vision and help you bring it to life.

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

A: I probably work best with a client that has a song they love, they are just looking to take it to the next level by either adding production or lead/backup vocals. Get a great demo done or the framework around your song. Practice it A LOT so that you know it well. I usually relate it to theater, and how your performance can truly take shape once you are "off book" and not worried about the mechanics.

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

A: 1. AMS Neve 1073DPX 2. Neumann U87 3. Mac Pro 4. Apollo 8p 5. Taylor 910

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say that I try to be a good blend of hands off...allowing the artist to find their way and I am just there to capture. I can also be very hands on when we hit stumbling blocks and the artist needs guidance and feedback. It all depends on the music, the preparation and vision of the artist...something I respect greatly. All that being said, if you need a big chorus...I'm your guy.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have been singing and obsessed with music since I was 3 years old. I loved oldies, top 40 radio, motown, rap and classic rock at different phases of my life until I was out of high school...so my influences have a wide range. I bring my experience, history, drive and love for the pursuit of a great song (along with my great gear).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually have a conversation with the artist about their work and the project. I then spend a lot of time listening, organizing and coming up with ideas that I feel can add value. Owning my own studio and being my own engineer, I can quickly put down ideas and shoot them back for review and feedback. If I'm way off, I'll go back to the drawing board. If I'm on to something, I will further pursue and continue that process until we are done.

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

A: I love learning more about Rick Rubin's process, so that inspires me. In a sense I feel like I have my own style and taste, but do everything I can to get out of the way when an artist has a distinct sound they are going for...and I am just there to help them get there.

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

A: Lead and backup vocal recording and arrangements and harmonies are fun and easy for me to help you with. Either for ideas or recording the final vocal for your track. I also do a lot of mix sweetening by adding additional vocals, instruments and production to an existing sessions to beef it up. From a small vocal comp gig to a full production, I am always so excited to meet other artists and see how I can help them realize their art. My most common request is to sing and arrange harmonies, which is one of my favorite ways to build dynamics that give a listener goosebumps when they listen to a song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think I am a very open and easy to work with person. I try and understand your work, intentions and process and then provide help, ideas and opinions when it feels necessary and relevant.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my upcoming debut solo EP. This will be my first release outside my band where I play all the instruments, engineer and produce a majority of the release. I am so excited...but it's daunting and scare too.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog for warmth, harmonic beauty and nostalgia. Digital to help with workflow and efficiency. I try and embrace the best of both.

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

A: I really enjoy alternative rock, pop rock, singer songwriter, folk, roots rock and americana but I am always open to checking out all types of music and projects.

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

A: I have been writing, recording and producing for almost 20 years...but have been singing my whole life.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A great performance will trump a great edit. Do everything you can to get it right (practice practice practice) before you give up and decide to fix later. Magical things happen when you are prepared and can have fun with a performance. We are just here to capture that...and the listener will appreciate the difference.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup has evolved and developed over the years. I have tried to have it be the perfect blend of vintage analog outboard gear (Lots of NEVE and Universal Audio) and the very best in audio software technology. My Pro Tools Ultimate rig is powered by a ridiculous number of UAUDIO interfaces and my 96 channel patchbay allows me to route in and out of "the box" with ease.