Producer & Remixer (House)

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

A: That the music industry is all about money! In fact, In line with my beliefs and values of fairness, equity and oneness - I operate a sliding scale fee structure. I believe that cost/money should never be the reason you don’t get to bring your music into the world. If you are in the fortunate position to be able to comfortably afford my services then please take a look at my average prices for an indication of fees. However, if my prices are genuinely too expensive for your current circumstances, please feel free to contact me with an offer which you can afford.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Whether I am producing an original track with or without a vocal or remixing an existing song to hit harder in the clubs, my process is much the same. I listen to a lot of references and any material I may need to use like vocal parts, instrumental stems or rough demos. I then experiment and jam on my Maschine until my toes are tapping like crazy. When I have chords, melody, bassline and basic drum patterns grooving away, I export clips to ableton or logic where I arrange, automate effects, process, compress, EQ and mix as I go. I take a break for at least a few hours but usually a full day. I always review/listen away from DAW, where I make notes on further edits required. I then return to DAW with a fresh head and ears to make those edits. Rinse and repeat until I’m 100% happy. Usually I know a track is done when I’m dancing around my kitchen and can’t stop listening to it or it’s due for distribution!

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

A: I am especially proud of my single ‘Blend Bold - Lies (ft. Sam Ali)’. I co-wrote, recorded and produced this song alongside an incredibly talented singer/songwriter Sam Ali. It sounds as close to my vision as it possibly could.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my second album which has been a long time coming and a new dance cover of one of my favorite songs of all time which I’m really excited about.

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

A: Klaas Gerling is a pro and knows how to produce a dancefloor-filler!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital - all in one place, always ready to go. Oh, and ‘Edit > Undo’.

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

A: Honest feedback, clear communication and my signature ‘Blend Bold’ sound.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Listening to music I love and making people dance or ‘feel’ something (good hopefully).

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

A: ‘Have you sped up my vocals?!!’ Yes, yes I have. haha

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Remixing - I would like to know: How different from the original would you like the remix to be? Are you happy for the vocals to have additional effects? Which of my remixes do you like the best and why? Producing from a demo or vocal - I would like to know: What you like most about your demo? What would you like to be better? What ‘known’ song would you like your song to be compared to? Arranging - I would like to know: Where do you imagine this song being played? Stream, Radio or Club? How creative can I be? Would you like any parts changed if I feel they could be better?

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

A: Do your research by listening to the music released by the producer/remixer you’re thinking of hiring. Find their tracks on SoundCloud or Beatport. Try to imagine your song in the style of the provider you’re interested in - if it sounds good in your head, you will most likely be happy with the results. When you’ve found a producer or remixer, reach out with a link to your original song demo to be produced or remixed. Please organise your stems, label them properly and remember to include the song’s key and BPM along with any reference tracks.

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

A: Easy! My Laptop, Macschine, Monitors, Midi Keyboard and a box of acapella CDs.

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

A: I’ve always been the creative type. I usually say that I’m an artist and graphic designer turned music producer...I look at music like I do any creative project and see strong overlapping themes and principles within visual art and music. I believe that they’re basically the same thing [design and music], the medium is different, but what's behind it is the same, there’s got to be a message, a concept, and a way of expressing them to an audience. For the last 9 years I've been using sounds to communicate these concepts. Drawing on skills and processes I picked up working as a Creative Director and merging it with many years experience DJing in Dublin nightclubs, I strive to create ‘meaningful moments’ through music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Bass-driven, pulsing and energetic 90’s inspired underground house music about sums it up.

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

A: John Newman. His voice is magic.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: After you’ve nailed a banging 8-16 bar loop or two - work quickly to arrange them into as close a finished track as you can to avoid getting stuck playing around with very minor details for an eternity! Bounce or render and listen to it away from your DAW, on a walk or in your car or wherever you usually listen to music for a fresh perspective, try not to ‘visualise’ the arrangement as you listen, just feel the music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my ears, my heart and my gut as well as energy, imagination and a banging bassline. When I’m listening to a song or demo vocal for the first time, I usually begin to ‘hear’ the final version or remix forming in my head. I quickly identify which are the most important parts from the original song or demo to ‘keep’ while coming up with new, more energetic parts to make it hit hard on the dancefloors or in the car.

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

A: Calvin Harris, MK, Duke Dumont, Bontan, Benny Benassi & Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim.