Song Writer with some edge

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

A: Most customers ask me how much will I charge. My answer to this is, well, it entirely depends on what I am going to do? What would you like me to do? Then, they might ask me, what can I do? I can write a song, the whole song. I can co-write, or help finish. I can write top-line. I can produce live studio sessions, and I can produce in-the-box sessions remotely. These are the best reasons to hire me if you want to record a hit record. I am also a great live drummer, but that is a whole different conversation. :)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: As an artist, Funky Pop. As a producer, larger than life. As a sound engineer, a Ridiculous FX nerd.

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

A: Jacob Collier. There is something about this kid. He is so talented, capable of anything, and I like having that potential in a studio session. This kind of talent lets my mind expand on what I can invent creatively. I enjoy that kind of freedom as a song writer and producer.

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

A: I love pop music and am always writing to create the next big hit. I like funk too, though, and so my uptempo songs usually have a kick to them.

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

A: I get inspired by great musicianship and prowess. Cat's like Jacob Collier and Andrew Huang inspire me to up my game in music theory. Childish Gambino continues to impress me, along with Ed Sheeran, Adele, Nicki Minaj, and countless others hitting the charts right now. It's a great time to discover music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I grew up in the studio, watching my dad and his Motown team play with 24 track machines and Urei compressors. It was a fun time. But we are in the digital age now, and I am excited by what we can achieve in this realm. I do use, however, some of the best "analogue" sounding plugins in the business. These mimic some of the characteristics of old gear. I also use the most advanced digital plugins the industry has ever seen. It's a great time to be creating music. We get to surf both worlds now. For example, on rare occasion, I will rent a vintage outboard Neve preamp, compressor, or some other gear, to achieve a specific sound that the plugins cannot produce. It's all about the sound you want to achieve, and how to get there. Usually, though, I am in the box, unless the budget calls for an unbridled studio environment.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like creating with people. There is just something so magical about being inside the moment of creation with other, musically gifted human beings. It's a beautiful language that we get to be apart of. I truly appreciate, and thrive in these environments.

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

A: Practice singing, or your axe, everyday for several weeks before walking into the studio. No matter where you are in your career, practice makes a huge difference in the sound of the voice. Huge! It's everything.

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

A: I started playing drums when I was 7 years old. In college, I learned music theory. In my early part of my career I was in charge of sound departments of film advertising companies. I transitioned quickly into a full time post production supervisor. At night, though, I would write and record songs at home, slowing building my music studio. Eventually, my music studio took over my living room. Now, it's gotten to the point that everything in my home is part of the music studio. So, last year,I had to ask my self, "What am I doing in the film business?" In 2019, I began writing and producing music nearly full time. In 2020, it's all I do now.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is being able to inspire and produce a great performance. A recording session is a like a symphony, and must be orchestrated well to achieve the desired result. I like producing and am able to work with talent of any skill level.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My greatest strength is generating creativity. I can think of things no one else thinks of, and this is sometimes very useful during brainstorming sessions. I can also whip up demos really fast in the DAW. Further, I'm a real song writer, so I can create not only the lyrics, but the music and melody to back them.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to talk with a client about where they are coming from and where they are going. It inspires me to know where they are going musically so that I can prepare for whatever they might need. Then I map out what we will do on paper and get contracts and money squared up and out of the way so that we are free to create. From this point, we know what we are going to do, so it's just a fun, focused creative session.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an intelligent, low cost studio in Culver City, California. I am mostly in-the-box on everything except when recording vocals. I am also in the heart of Los Angeles and a block away from Sony studios. I have access to the top talent Hollywood has to offer: Singers, producers, sound engineers, etc. Plus, I'm a phone call away to the best scoring stages and microphone locker rooms in the world. I can record singer/songwriters in the studio and scale up to 150 piece orchestra a few blocks away. It's amazing what we can do in Los Angeles.

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

A: Most of my clients usually want help in one of these areas: Song Writing, Producing, Post Production Supervision, or Video editing. All of which I do extremely well. I live in Los Angeles, however, so I am prepared to do what ever is needed.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently producing Fresh Rain West's first album and am very exciting about that.

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

A: My promise to clients is that they will receive a "stand out" product. One they can be proud of that achieves their goal.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who is your audience? What experience would you like them to have when they hear your music?

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

A: Oh that's a tough question. My prize Martin Acoustic guitar; the Gretch Drum kit, the Black Beauty Ludwig snare drum, the Korg digital piano, though not sure how I would plug it in. Maybe sell it and buy a Yamaha upright. And, lastly, a tuning key for the drum kit. Gotta rock the island!