Session Cellist

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

A: If you're into medieval music, I'd highly recommend Jan Pouska, he plays several ancient instruments like the medieval and the Renaissance lute, and he's an amazing singer as well.

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

A: I recorded as a soloist with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra last year, for the original soundtrack of the video game Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. It was such an enriching experience! I'm immensely proud to have been a part of this. :)

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Here's the most useful advice I ever received: It's ok to doubt, but don't let it slow you down, just go on and don't stop until you've done your job and it's perfect. I've seen many musicians being paralyzed because of never-ending doubts about everything (including myself). It's just a mistake to let it destroy you, creation should never stop. If you think you're not good enough, ignore yourself and just go on, you'll be happy when your project is concretized.

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

A: You certainly won't regret putting your music into my hands. :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that I get to create on a daily basis. I wouldn't want to do anything else.

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

A: "Music is just a hobby".

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

A: Just spend some time listening to the work of people you're interested to hire and see if their style is what you're looking for, if their expression fits yours. Words don't mean much. :)

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

A: I started playing cello when I was 6, I studied it at the conservatoire until I got my music Diploma, at the time I was mostly playing in orchestras. My life changed radically when I started recording around 5-6 years ago. I got addicted to it, to the point that I decided to dedicate my life to recording. I've loved it more than I ever enjoyed anything else, because I've never felt so free to create and play whatever I want.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd say it's both quite specific and hybrid, for I enjoy mixing several genres, such as Celtic, medieval, Baroque...

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

A: I've been lucky enough to be a part of collaborations with several amazing musicians that I admire, such as the gorgeous Karliene or the brilliant TPR with whom I recorded 2 albums. I'd say I would love to work with them again because it was always an amazing experience sharing music and creating together.

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

A: I record any kinds of music for composers, but when I'm working on my own recordings there usually is a strong Celtic-ish / medieval influence in them, because I enjoy these genres beyond anything else. :)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I believe most composers I've recorded for enjoyed my ability to write my own lines and improvise, or adapt to their specific requirements. I'm quite easy-going and open to anything.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Power, expressivity, brilliance, sadness, joy… all kinds of different emotions depending on the piece I'm recording. :)

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Composers send me backtracks on which I add one or several cello track. I usually require music sheets when I need to record a specific melody, but most of the time clients want me to improvise a cello line over their compositions, which I enjoy a lot. I can also work with chords. :)

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work on Cubase and use an Audio Technica 2035 microphone. I also own a Rode NT1 microphone which I rather use for vocals on my own compositions.

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

A: I usually record cello for video game music soundtracks or trailers / movies.