Lyricist/Songwriter/Drummer

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently track using my tama drum kit (if using acoustic), my alesis nitro mesh kit (if using electric/midi controller), my nashville telecaster, my axl, bass, and have nine different microphones I run into a signature soundcraft 22 mixer interface hybrid or an audiobox usb 86 depending on what I'm tracking at the given moment. I use a peavy amp head and a marshall cab but often run through an amp splitter pedal which gives my a take in DI form in case I like a take a track on guitar but am not a fan of the tone given from the amp. I track completely through logic pro x!

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

A: When it comes to lyrics, I love songs/songwriters that tell stories. Some of my favorite lyricists include Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters/Nirvana), Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die), Billie Eiliish, Jake Luhrs (August Burns Red), and many more!

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

A: I write lyrics (also providing accompanying melodies and meaningful/desciptive lyric analysis sheets), compose songs instrumentally, and track drums for my clients.

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

A: My promise is to give a sincere meaning to your song that listeners will enjoy and be able to connect with and musically an emotion that words themselves alone could not bring to life.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have an instrumental for me to write to? Is there a specific topic I should write about? Do you have any preferences against profanity? Is there a particular genre or style you have in mind?

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I can write in any style for any genre. That being said, I have a knack for telling fictional stories within my songs as demonstrated by sample songs inheritance and car wreck. I come from a very alternative rock and punk oriented background but never stop from taking on inspiration from anywhere in the music world!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is lyric writing and instrumental composition.. However, I also play drums, guitar, and bass, giving me a strong insight into how the instrumental of a song works, which truly helps with writing melodies.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring meaning to a song lyrically, I am able to create words that not only accompany an instrumental, but also move the listener. Musically I add emotion that words themselves are not capable of creating without the complimenting sounds that exist with them side by side.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For lyrics I usually try to find an inspiration first. The topic may be given to me by a client, or if requested I can find one on my own. Often times I will either try and ponder over a recurring emotion I've been feeling, or write a fictional story in my head and then translate it to lyrics. For composition I usually start with one instrument and think in my head how other instruments could come to fit in the picture and it all eventually just flows out of me naturally.

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

A: There is a female singer named Ivy Mary who did a fantastic job singing on one of my upcoming songs for my band Overcoming Apathy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like being able to express myself freely and or help someone else's vision come to life.

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

A: The biggest misconception may be that lyricist have to draw from their own experiences. While it's true that is a great method to write songs, you can draw from the experiences of others, or even fictional people as well.

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

A: My advice is to be honest and free in describing what you are looking for in your song. I love helping to have someone else's vision fully come to life, and to do that it always helps to have as much information as possible about the desired outcome of the song.

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

A: My laptop, an interface, my guitar, a midi keyboard, and a bass guitar.

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

A: I started out as a drummer when I was fifteen and quickly moved on to guitar and bass as well. I had been writing lyrics since I was a young child and once I started creating instrumentals I came to a full grasp of how lyrics should properly fit over a song.

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

A: I would love to work with Dave Grohl. I think he writes brilliant instrumentals and puts a deep amount of emotion into his lyrics.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure your lyrics have a proper syllable count to ensure a line fits over an allotted space of time within a song.

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

A: All types of music!