Pro Vocalist & Producer

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

A: My band's first album (most recent). Most likely because it was my first album that I conceptualized and pretty much wrote the majority of everything on it while working with a couple of producer friends. It was the most in-my-skin I ever felt with a batch of songs I wrote. Also, it was my first full-length album to be a part of, when I've previously only done EP's with my past band/projects.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, because they're both helpful in their own ways. It comes down to the user - if you have a good ear and a clear idea on what you want to create you can make them both sound good and work individually or together on a song, mix, or instrument.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - What are your favorite artists? - What sort of style/song are you trying to write? - How do you want the vocal delivered - provide examples of songs already out for audible examples - What's your deadline/timeline for finishing this? - Are you open to production & songwriting feedback? - When hired for session work - are you open to me adding my own vocal or production flair? So many more but they're specific to the project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently writing and producing my band's (Lone Wild) next record. Have about 20 songs in the bank and are working on about 20 more.

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

A: Aaron Wagner, Austin Cannon

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

A: I will always deliver the BEST work I can provide. I hate feeling like I did a subpar performance or production on a song.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating something that makes someone feel something!

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

A: Some people think it's easy and that it's not hard work - usually the ones that aren't creative or wish they would have followed their heart.

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

A: Know what you want to accomplish and be able to communicate that verbally and with song reference examples!

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

A: Well, if I don't have electricity: - A midi guitar - a generator w/ endless gasoline to power (hah) - Apollo twin - Headphones - My Macbook Pro w/ 2tb of storage

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

A: As I said, I've been doing this for 20 years, and have been writing, composing, and performing professionally for 10 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Modern Indie Alternative Rock with an 80's and 90's influence

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

A: The next artist that wants to hire me. I believe that if they like what they hear and the music I've written and produce, then together we can write their next great song and help set them on their course to success.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Write parts that serve the SONG best. Sometimes that means writing a part that's less prominent, busy, or complicated...and sometimes it's the opposite. When the song is pretty much finished, make BOLD choices for the portions of the song you want to feature to make a vocal, instrument, section more memorable and impactful.

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

A: - Indie Rock & Electronic - Alternative - Pop - Musical / Broadway style - Classic Rock

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: - Writing strong melodies - Helping identify the main portions of the song that need to be at the forefront - Arranging and writing solid lyrics

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: 20 years of experience in singing, songwriting and arranging. I'm an artist and performer first and foremost, so I know the importance of an artist wanting their song's vision to NOT get lost in translation from what they hear in their head to the recording process and the release process. I've been doing this since I was 10 years old, and for the past 10 years I've spent time focusing on production by using a DAW, Logic and Ableton. Versatility. I have eclectic taste in music, and I'm open to pushing the norms while still making a song line-up with the artist's brand and style. A great team of producers, mixing engineers, and musicians that I've worked with that I can bring in allowing the artist to not have to hop around from one person to the next unsure if the vision of their song is going to stay intact.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically for vocal work I ask the composer to provide 2-3 reference tracks for the song they are wanting me to work on so I can get an idea for the vibe of the song or vocal they are wanting. If I'm singing, I also ask for lyrics, the key of the song, bpm so I can probably create the project and be sure to edit, comp and tune vocals as necessary. For production projects it looks a little different but I typically like to start by getting on a zoom or phone call to discuss the vision of the project/song and go from there to see how I can bring value to the song writing and production process. This can mean: - creating a full-fledged pre-production demo before going into a studio to track - adding additional programming to a written track such as synths, drum programming, vocal production, writing guitar or bass lines. - or guiding the songwriter/artist through the whole process, helping with writing, arranging, to working with the mix and master engineers Pretty much when it comes to writing a song, I know how to do it and I am here to help you walkout with a finished product that can be radio, tv, commercial ready!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: - Apollo Twin DUO - Shure SM7B - Mojave MA-300 - sE DM-1 - UAD Distressor - UAD Neve 1073 - UAD LA2A - UAD EMT 140 - UAD EMT 250 - UAD 1176 - UAD 610b - UAD Moog Filters - UAD Ampeg SVT Bass Cab - many others but these are my go to's Synths & Midi Controllers: - Korg MicroKorg - AKAI MPK49 - Novation Launchpad - Roland SPD-SX Guitars: - Fender Jazzmaster w/ Kinman noiseless pickups - Fender Jazzmaster w/ Curtis Novak pickupss - G&L Strat - McPherson MG4.5 Acoustic Guitar - Fender Jaguar Bass - Fender Precision Jazz Bass Additional Plugins Often used: - Soundtoys 5 Suite - Fab Filter suite - Oeksound Soothe - iZotope Ozone 8 & 9 - iZotope Nectar 3 - iZotope Neutron 3 Go-To VST's: - Omnisphere 2 & Trilian Bass Engine - Arturia Suite - Mini-MOOG, DX-7, OB-x, CS-80, Polysix, and the entire sweet, these are just faves. - TAL-UNO - Juno - Spitifre Symphonic Strings - Battery 4 - Output Movement - Output Arcade - Output Analog Strings - Output Exhale - Output Substance Sample Packs often used: - That Sound Suite Guitar Gear: - Eventide h9 (2) - Strymon Timeline - JHS Colour Box - Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl - Chase Bliss Brothers - Greer Amps Lightspeed - 1981 DRV - Atomic Amplifire Box - EGO Compressor

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

A: Brandon Flowers, Ryan Tedder, Joe Chicarelli, the Edge, Young the Giant, Brian Eno

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

A: The majority of my work is vocal session work and songwriting/producing