Session Drummer, Live Drums.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Providing drum tracks to those who need them!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm pleased to say that I am now more analog than digital! I have a growing outboard collection that helps capture the sounds i desire.

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

A: “What is your turnaround time?" For in-studio sessions, I'm normally in and out in about 2-3 hours. At my home setup, I like to give myself a week while sending versions within it. I understand stuff happens, and I hate missing deadlines.

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

A: Thats TOUGH. I love all music all across the spectrum. If I had to choose, it would most likely be Bruce Springsteen. His songs and arrangements are top notch to me. You get to hit hard and rock out, but also feel like you're in a big band setting.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's a growing home studio more geared towards live drums. I have enough to record bands, but I'd rather just focus on my craft as a drummer and engineer for the songs. I have a 16 channel set up and a newly built live room with various mics.

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

A: ASK QUESTIONS! And be as specific as you want! My goal is to make you happy!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is being aware of both the song and what my job in it is. Finding little details during the track to make other parts shine can be huge.

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

A: That it's an easy job. I just sit down, play, and send an email. But it's sooo much more than that. The amount of care that goes into it really turns everything into a process.

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

A: I started playing when I was 3. Then all throughout elementary school. (Learning records and what not.) Got an education with reading sheet music in middle school and competed at a high level in high school. My passion was leading me to playing full time and that's what I do now. I've been a full time drummer for three years now.

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

A: Will Yip from Studio 4 has put out some of my favorite records to date. His producing skills are off the charts! Other than that, I really admire session guys like Aaron Sterling, Carter McLean, and Paul Mabury just to name a few. Not only are these guys awesome at what they do, but fantastic educators as well.

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

A: The Bother None record was super special to me. It was probably my most musical collection of songs to date. My role was to lay down the drums quickly so that the vocals, guitar, and bass had the most time possible to finish their work. It was a project that was just an idea, and now it lives and breathes.

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

A: Luke Anderson is a great friend of mine. He's an amazing bass player who has shared the stage with multiple times. John Mendel is also a phenomenal musician, engineer, and vocalist.

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

A: To give them exactly what's been in their head so they can feel happy and confident about their track!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to play drums! Whats better than that?

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the bpm? Key? And do you have sheet music or a scratch I can go off of? Then I'll ask if there is any additional info I need to know about? (feel, tempo or time signature changes, etc.)

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

A: My Zildjian avedis 14' high hats, Meinl 21" ride, My C&C brass snare, kick and floor tom.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Versatile. I'm hard hitting when needed, but also very dynamic and cautious. I can shed out, or just stay in the pocket forever.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to get your instrument to sound as good as possible without plugins. If your base is taken care of, then the rest of the process is really enjoyable.

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

A: Usually rock. But recently it's been indie, folk and country tunes!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a level of professionalism and care to the song. I believe having a great groove and tasteful parts to allow the guitars or vocals to shine is paramount. I guess you could say I wrap the whole idea of the song up and make it tangible.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually I'll listen to the song to understand the structure. Then I'll have two or three ideas or "roads" we could go down. From there, I'll explain what I was thinking or collaborate with the artist on what they want. (Usually they have a good idea of the feel and leave the fills up to me.)

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

A: Adding drums (or percussion) to a song that needs it.