Artist / Music Producer

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

A: I was introduced to an independent artist who had previously performed in a punk band but had taken a hiatus from music. Her vocals were exactly what I needed for one of my electronic dance records. I encouraged her to record a demo at my studio and was completely blown away by her talent for songwriting and melodies. I could see an opportunity for her and I to collaborate and release music on my record label Global League so I assisted in creating her new alias ‘MYLKI’. We went on to release several collaborations together. I’ve co-managed her between my management and label team as we collectively reached out to other producers in the dance scene and cut her vocals on their records. This grew in demand and eventuated in a publishing deal with 120 Publishing. I’ve just recorded MYLKI’s vocals for three DJs in the DJ Mag Top 100 (all in the top 50) and I think MYLKI is about to explode once the records are released on major labels. All in the space of 12 months.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I am mixing and mastering a client’s club record with a vocal I recorded and engineered here at the studio. I’m helping some local talent collaborate on a project together. Then in my spare time I am working on my own music.

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

A: Israel Amoy. Also known as JETHRO. One of the most creative and lovely humans you’ll have the pleasure of working with. He stops by my studio often to collaborate on projects. Jack of all trades too, vocals, production, keys, guitar and drums (pretty much anything you could need).

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. It’s reliable and fast for workflow. Analog when appropriate to do so (for example I can mic up a Kawai grand piano if needed) and often use guitars in my productions.

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

A: Commitment. Working in the creative industry we devote enormous amounts of time and energy into projects that we want to succeed. I’m 100% or nothing.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being constantly challenged to create ‘art’ is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do in this lifetime. Brings a lot of other people joy too.

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

A: How do I get my record on radio and do you know of any record labels that would release my song. I answer, yes let’s make it happen.

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

A: That you need the most expensive gear to get the best results. The most valuable instrument in my studio is whoever is sitting in the driver's chair.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask what artists / records inspire them and who they align with. Also good to know what they envision as a story of what their music is about.

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

A: Communication is the most important thing for a project to be successful. I’ll become your instrument to assist in telling your story. If you want a dreamy vibe or a powerful punch to convey an emotion then it’s really important to describe the theme of your project in the rawest way possible. Also, trust your gut. This could be a life long relationship with a producer that really understands you and provides a huge amount of support to your musical journey.

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

A: Laptop, USB interface, AKAI FORCE, headphones and a mic.

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

A: I started out in 2013 with a viral YouTube video called ‘Weapon’. That led to me signing to a major label and a publishing deal with SONY. I accidentally co-produced with Stargate ‘What Does The Fox Say!?’. Years later and after extensive touring at clubs and festivals I returned home to build a recording studio and start my own record label. My path currently (due to COVID-19) is to stay in the studio and create as much music as possible.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Moody, progressive and emotive.

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

A: Depends on what mood I am in. Currently Hans Zimmer as I am feeling like watching a sci-fi thriller movie marathon. Tomorrow I might be feeling so energized that I want to work with Will Sparks and make club bangers. Honestly though, any artist that has passion, drive and is a good human is someone I want to work with.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Best tip I’ve been told by producers at the top of their game: keep it simple.

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

A: When creating music for myself, mid to high energy electronic dance music. When working with clients and collaborators, usually indie pop and R&B.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Melodies and composition.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A mix of technical knowledge, musicianship, energy, empathy and sonic execution. I inject a part of myself into every project that upholds or compliments my collaborator to create a story.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It starts with a conversation with the artist and addressing the objectives of what we are trying to achieve. Is it a mood? A story? A club record? A sing along? etc. When producing songs for myself or others I begin experimenting with chord progressions and melodies. If creating a beat for a rapper I begin with choosing interesting percussion and create loops to structure the beat that the artist can record to. Once the instrumental is created (and often during this process) a topliner / vocalist will hum a melody and start structuring verses and choruses. We then record a demo vocal, critique it and build the idea into a fully structured, mixed and completed composition.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I designed and built my studio to be able to record vocalists and professionally mix and master records in a soundproofed space. The construction process and studio tour is on my YouTube channel for those who are interested to check it out! It’s a triple insulated shell with resonance and bass traps, monitors, keyboards, a preamp and assortment of microphones with a soundproof booth. The idea was for it to be an electronic studio space that anyone with a laptop could plug into with ease.

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

A: Deadmau5 was a huge inspiration growing up for originality and composition, which led to a later interest in Skrillex and all his experimentation. These days I’m interested less in popular artists but more the teams of producers behind the records.

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

A: Since building the new recording studio I have been predominantly recording and processing vocals on instrumentals and collaborations.