Hoobastank Bassist

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

A: Bass and Synth tracks. Generally hired to fill out grooves with sequenced elements and heavy synthetic tones as well as drum programming and beat making. Ambient sounds as well as basic rhodes and piano.

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

A: I'm ever evolving with music. Our world of music making has transformed so much since I first started, where mastering your instrument was king. Now it seems as if the jack of all trades route gets more work done and has a higher satisfaction rate for me these days, so I just follow that. There are professionals in each aspect of this field that raise my bar everyday. Too many to name here. I'm very inspired by "hands on" producers and players, the ones that roll up there sleeves and start turning knobs or really bending sound to fit their taste. Nothing is so sacred that can't be destroyed with a bit-crusher.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Simple two input Focusrite interface into a MAC. DBX compressor and Drawmer Gate. Sansamp RBI rack. Pedals galore, typically not boutique, but modified by myself. Very competent in Logic DAW.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Learn the music by listening through a few times while charting the song if that is needed. Then just pulling up instruments and experimenting unless I know right away what it needs. My first instincts are usually my best choices so I try to follow them as best I can.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring myself to the song, I know most people try and serve the song with their playing and I do as well, but I feel that at this point I'm much better at following my gut rather than trying to emulate someones style. Of course I can't hit the ball in the direction of something the client wants, but I can't be someone i'm not. All that being said, I feel I have a strong enough musical vocabulary for a number of situations.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Bass playing and general low end manipulation.

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

A: Rock/Pop/beat music

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: You are only as interesting, musically, as your music collection. Branch out.

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

A: I would love to really learn modular synthesis. It would be great to work on a project with someone who really has an understanding of synthesis and how to layer for ambient style electronic music. Drone and bleep bloop creators.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Classically trained, but didn't enjoy the homework. Sort of a music nerd plus rebel. That being said.... usually just a jeans and T shirt kind of guy?

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

A: I've been playing exclusively as a career for 15 years. Starting in jazz and classical music in CT and MA area, symphonies and small cocktail ensemble work, in college. Moved to LA to play hip hop and eventually landed with Hoobastank in 2009.

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

A: A Rhodes An acoustic guitar A cello A microphone some sort of 4 track recorder or small recording device

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

A: If you know what you are looking for, don't be afraid to be specific. If you don't know what you are looking for, don't be afraid to let me try a few off the wall ideas

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the song about? What are you looking for? Who are your influences for the track idea? What do you expect from be as a provider? Would you need editing?

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

A: I'm just a bass player.

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

A: When will I have tracks by? Me: Very Soon...

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Its the one thing that I feel I'm actually good at. I think I have a knack for whatever this wonderful profession is :)

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

A: I want to make your track really cool and interesting!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! because why limit yourself right away because of a dumb prejudice!

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

A: Chris Hesse is a great mixer and a great friend and bandmate! Hit him up for mixing and mastering, I do!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Reading more books!

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

A: Hoobastank "Push Pull". Our latest effort. A chance to really dive into these sound design enthusiasms and have them see the light of day.