Record Producer

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

A: My most recent EP collaboration with a poet . ‘ Song For Any Ol’ Bad Cynic (Like Me) . I really love this track , I Am so proud of my vocal track ; I really belted it out & hit the high notes & nailed it ! I love my guitar work on this track as well ! Very catchy , & neatly Structured !

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on a collaborative project with a poet ; to self publish an untitled thirteen track album !

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

A: No , not at the moment .

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both ; it depends what sound & vibe you are aiming to achieve ! This can be discussed with the client !

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

A: To build a relationship with the client ; have a mutual understanding of what is to be set out & achieved ; & deliver & high quality product at an affordable price !

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music , I am passionate about music . I feel privileged to have the freedom & time to do the job I love ; it is my life !

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

A: The most common question clients ask me ; are the rates that I charge reasonable . & my answer to that ; is yes they are reasonable . Because in past times I know what it is like to not have access to all the money & funds that some Rich people have !

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

A: That I’m very genre specific & can only work on one sound or mindset . That’s not true ; I have also worked on my own Dance / EDM / Electronica projects !

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I introduce myself , ask them if they’re having a nice day ... see that we’re getting off on the same page & then start discussing with the client what it is they’d like to achieve with there music !

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

A: If you can relate , to where I’m coming from ; I can guarantee I will deliver an excellent product & piece of work . Keep perseverance as a priority ; & keep trying !

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

A: An acoustic guitar . A pen & notepad , a fully charged iPhone & a pair of beats studio cans !

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

A: I’ve been writing , recording , performing & producing for over twenty five years .

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Very British ; love those British sounding , roaring guitars ! I’d describe my sound as John Lennon ‘ s voice fronting a great band like Oasis !

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

A: Noel Gallagher ; the greatest songwriter of he’s generation ...

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yeah , when your panning a track in stereo ; don’t always pan full to the left or full to the right , get a good balance . & Like I say ; get your Eq & Compression of to a tee ! & you’ll be home & dry !

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

A: Britpop ; pop music played on guitars , that should be performed by a band . The kind of thing you would have heard on top of the pops twenty five years ago ! British guitar bands taking over the world !

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Just writing , catchy tunes that the postman could wonder around whistling on he’s round ! I know what I’m always aiming for ; the genre I work in is very specific . I’d like to think I can cover all the aspects of it !

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to believe my music is inspired by great musicians & bands . Simple , catchy songs ; performed on a guitar . Know one wants to be reading books about Algebra when there listening to music ! I like keeping things simple . Three or four chords ; Verse , Bridge , Chorus & bang ! you’ve nailed it ! It’s gotta be catchy , hooks & melody’s ... right ? That’s what The Beatles done !

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I sit down with an acoustic guitar or an iPad ; depending on what sort of sound I’m visualising , work out what key the songs gonna be in ; so I know what chords I’m working with ; pick up a note pad and a decent pen & start writing down chord sequences that sound good to the ear . Then I start structuring & adding key changes for example . Then you pretty much have the foundations of a song . I usually demo my tracks first ; in garage band on an iPad , lay down a beat , with the chords over the top . Then I airdrop it into Logic Pro X , work out my BPM lay down a drum track , refer to my chords & start laying down guitar tracks , bass guitar & vocal tracks ; pianos , strings , orchestration . You get me ? Then once everything is recorded , I start the mixing process . Stereo Panning , Binaural panning , bussing , Automation , fade in/out levelling out . I think the key to it is getting a decent balance of Eq & Compression in the mix . Get all my meters right then bounce the project & master it . I do my final masters using LANDR .

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am running an Apple iMac , Intel Core i5 ; with a 3.1 GHz processor , using a payed for & constantly updated version of Logic Pro X . I have an M - Audio , M - Track 2X2M C-Series Audio Interface . Two Yamaha H8S Studio Monitors ; Shure SM57 & SM58 microphones & stands , with pop shields . I have a Gibson Les Paul , an Epiphone Casino , a Crafter Acoustic guitar , an Epiphone EJ 200 acoustic guitar & a Fender Jazz master Bass guitar . I also own a 5th generation Apple iPad , with Logic Remote & GarageBand installed on them . I am looking to add to my set up in the coming months with a Mackie Universal Pro Surface Controller .

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

A: The musicians that inspire me are ; Noel Gallagher , Richard Ashcroft , Liam Gallagher , John Power & Lee Mavers . Producers that inspire me are ; John Leckie , Mark Coyle & Chris Potter .

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

A: I’m a massive fan of the whole Britpop thing ; throughout the 1990’s . If your digging what I’m saying , then I’m your man !