Guitars, Vocals, Production

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

A: I absolutely loved working on the CMT Crossroads event with Brett Young and Boyz II Men. Arranging songs for an all-star band, and then getting to sing with some of my childhood idols was literally a dream come true.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: During the Coronavirus Pandemic Shutdown, I'm working remotely on an album of covers with Brett Young, Shawn Stockman, Gavin Degraw, Colbie Caillat, and several other artists.

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

A: Denny White is a fantastic singer, songwriter, and producer. Rod Castro is an unbelievable guitarist.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog Chains, Digital Capture. For recording real sources, there's nothing like actual signal flow, but the flexibility of working in a DAW is a requirement. Soundbetter is a Digital Platform!

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

A: We'll work until you're happy!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music is like the Force. It surrounds us, penetrates us, binds us together. Making music makes me feel like a Jedi.

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

A: "Do you like it?" More often than not, clients are unsure of exactly what they want, and when tracks are delivered they're afraid to actually like their own work! I try to fend that off by telling clients exactly what I like about the song/track/files, and where I have my own questions.

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

A: That I'm somehow too important to be apart of your record. I've had many people tell me they were afraid to ask because I'm so busy. I AM busy, but I love what I do and I'm always looking for more opportunities and artists to work with.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What artists/songs do you want this to sound like? Chasing vibes is a great way to begin a conversation.

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

A: Look for people who have work with artists you love. There's no guaranty that you're tastes will align, but that's the best way I can think to ensure it.

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

A: My Martin HD-28v, my Gibson 335 Black Dot, my Soyuz 017 Tube Mic, Neve 1073, and Empirical Labs Distressor.

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

A: My mom and dad were in a band together, so I always joke that I've been gigging since the womb. I bugged my older brother incessantly to teach me how to play songs on the guitar, and ultimately went to school for music composition and conducting. I left college before my degree because I had finished my music studies and still had 2 years of General Ed classed to take. I went home, saved up for a car, recorded an album, and moved back to LA to pursue being an artist, songwriter, performer and producer.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm in love with real sounds, real instruments, used in intimate and nuanced ways.

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

A: If I could work with any artist, it would be Lennon Stella. Her ability to craft and perform a song is astounding.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Produce for the Mix! When capturing sounds, or choosing parts, think about frequency ranges that need to be developed or expanded as the narrative progresses.

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

A: Even though I'm mostly a fan of alternative, I end up working on Country music the most.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to hear an incomplete song in it's finished form, and to understand how to cover that distance between.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'm a lover of songs. My parents were in a band together, (my Mom was a singer and Dad a guitarist,) and so I feel like I've lived my whole life in 3 minute increments. Song form is so simple and yet infinitely variable.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Once I have a song loaded into the DAW, I like to listen down and mark out the sections. Once I know what the vibe is, I choose a guitar and start to make stylistic decisions- kapo position & voicings, pick or fingers or nails- and then make the mic selection. After I dial in the tones I'm looking for, I hit record. Even the very first time playing it down I make sure the red light is on, cause ears get bigger when it is! I record everything, and keep playing until all parts are recorded satisfactorily. Then I put the guitar down and listen. I do a quick mix on the instrument, edit and comp until it's just right, (not looking for perfection, looking for VIBE,) and then pick up any spots that aren't quite right yet.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I've spent years in big professional studios before starting to build my own. I've always been interested in recording gear, and finding the exact right mics and gear to get the tones I loved. I'm running Protools with a 3rd Gen Apollo, with a great mic selection and an outboard 500 Series rack. Neve, AEA, API, Beyerdynamic, Nuemann, and a healthy portion of UAD and Boutique Plugs, (also Soundtoys and Waves, of course.)

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

A: When I was learning to play guitar, I followed with all the Jimmys- Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and James Taylor. I fell in love with Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, and John Mayer when I started writing songs. I love records that are textural and subtle.

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

A: I get called mostly for my acoustic guitar work. When done well, it should sound easy, effortless. But the nuance and detail, the pocket, in a great acoustic performance takes years to develop