Instrumentalist, Audio, Mixing

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

A: I'm really proud of the work I've done, and continue to do with SayReal. I co-write, play drums, guitar, bass, keys, sing (depending on the song), produce and mix all the music we release. We have released two albums, and 12 singles to major streaming in the last three years. All of which is done completely internally, with me at the helm. Im pretty dang proud of that, and I LOVE the music we make!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just wrapped mixing an album I recorded with an awesome Jazz/Folk artist Marcia Gomes. I'm mostly focusing right now on continuing to write, record, mix, and release one song per week with my band SayReal.

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

A: Not yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting people in this community!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! We live in a digital world, and it's obviously WAY more time effective and less expensive to track to digital. I believe using super high quality analog gear on the way in is also the best. I much prefer to record amazing sounding instruments in real spaces, performed by an actual person. This is the best art in my opinion.

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

A: My 'promise' is that I will do my very best to put down the most awesome, groovy, excellent-sounding tracks you've ever had.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE shutting the studio door, diving deeply into a track and losing myself in the creation.

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

A: "How much do you charge?" Most common question of course! My answer is: it depends on your budget, how long it's going to take me, and how many revisions you want.

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

A: For people who aren't in the music industry, sometimes they think what I do is all play, no hard work, and super easy or something. LOL

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's the overall vibe of the track? What do you want to hear added? What is your deadline?

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

A: My advice to a customer would be, make the best recording possible and have fun doing it!

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

A: Kik, Snare, Bass, Neumann U87, pro tools.

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

A: Born into a musical family, this path started very early. My dad is Earl Slick (guitar, David Bowie, John Lennon) and my mom is Jean Millington (bass and vocals, FANNY). I've been playing in bands, writing music, and recording for 20 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Solid, pocket, powerful, smooth.

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

A: Personally, I'm a huge Brandon Boyd fan. If I could make an album with him I'd drop everything and do it.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If I had to choose only one production tip, it would be to develop the ability to see the forest for the trees. Zoom your perspective out often, and make sure you keep your intention to always serve the song.

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

A: My main project is an Urban-Reggae band called SayReal. We are a 3 piece band that writes, records, mixes and releases all of our own music independently. This band sounds somewhere between Twenty One Pilots, 311, and India Arie. Outside of this, I do A LOT of studio work for artists of various genres. Most artists that I work with end up being pop rock, folk, jazz and hip hop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is getting the foundational rhythm section of a track to sit exactly right, so the song can be built on the strongest foundation possible.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My intention is to always bring a cohesive, clean, pocket performance to each song. I find when recording drums and bass, simple and precise is usually the call. However if the client wants something more flashy I can absolutely shred out on occasion! For mixing, my intention is to make sure that every element of the recording is represented with clarity, texture, and depth. Individual elements must come together to create a rich sonic experience, drawing the listener in to reveal the core of the song, whatever that may be.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm hired to lay down tracks for a song, I will request a stereo reference track of the song. I'll put that into pro tools against the click and hit go! I record a perform everything myself so I have all the time and flexibility I need to get exactly what I want. Then I will send a reference stereo file back for approval. If there are revisions requested I'll knock those out, send another stereo file for approval. Once the client approves, they get full resolution WAV files of all the tracks. For mixing, I will have the client send me full res WAVS of all the tracks, and a stereo rough mix for reference (if available). I employ the same approval/revision process for my mixes as I do with my tracks.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm currently working with a 40 channel SSL G + console, a number of additional amazing outboard preamps including DW Fearn, Millennia, Grace, Great River... The mic cabinet includes vintage Neumanns, Coles, AEA, and a host of other amazing mics. This studio is built into an old barn, so we have everything from huge spaces to tight and controlled isolation for all types of spacial textures.

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

A: Ah man... In terms of drummers- Josh Freese, Stewart Copeland, Chad Sexton, Chad Smith (all the Chads). Production wise, I really look up to guys like Brendan O'Brien, Steve Lillywhite, Scott Woodruff.. the lists can go on and on!

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

A: I mostly do acoustic drum tracking and mixing for my clients. I've also been known to lay down electric bass tracks, as well as electric and acoustic guitar.