Eclectic music production

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Totally. My number one production tip is to map out your entire track before you hit the drum pad! While sometimes I love basing my piece around a cool synth progression I created, I find that the most efficient work version of myself is when I meticulously plan out the whole piece start to finish before writing a single note.

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

A: The type of music I usually am hired to work on is hyperpop (aka bubblegum bass) which is epitomized by SOPHIE and A.G. Cook, but is now popularized by 100 gecs, Charli XCX, and Slayyyter. While I am usually asked to work on that kind of music, I also do R&B and Hip-hop/rap beats as well! I am actually trained as a jazz and pop singer.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am a bedroom producer! I absolutely love my tiny setup as I do not feel overwhelmed as I would with too much space! I’ve got a super sick lil desk equipped with two KRK studio monitors, a scarlett focusrite interface, a shure mic, a novation launchkey and pad, and my trusty macbook pro.

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

A: Most of the work I get is either “I have a hyperpop beat that needs an uber catchy topline melody, harmony, and lyrics, please do that for me!” or “I absolutely love [insert artist here] and I totally want you to make a banging track that sounds similar but with more finesse.”

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I am working on a really fun hyperpop type song as a songwriter for a performing artist who has a beat already made for them! It's super Slayyyter/Charli XCX/LIZ/Hannah Diamond feeling and I really really dig it! Essentially I personified a T-Shirt.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First off: preferred name and pronouns. It is so important that the two people who work together have a mutual respect for each other. Secondly musical questions! A big question I ask prospective clients, especially when producing for them, is what two artists created you. Like whose love child are you! It's very important that I know all of the influences a client likes or wants to emulate so that way I can best serve them. It's so cliche to say, "Oh, I want to sound like something no one's ever heard before!" Totally a viable answer, I get it. But it's not about originality anymore, it's about blending a unique mix of influences that exist into something that is super new and exciting. A drum loop that hooks you in, but then add a whacko synth? Totally what I like. Songwriting wise, the questions are a lot more typical. What do you not feel comfortable singing about? What do you want the vibe of the song to be? etc. etc.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For songwriting, I definitely put the flow and melody together before I even write a single word! I will listen to a beat that's sent to me and just ad lib a melody with nonsensical syllables until I start to really really like way it sounds. I usually pick a title that the beat reminds me off and then write lyrics based off that. With clients that send me a pre-made beat that they want me to song write for, I ask them what THEY think the song should be about and I work around what THEY would want to sing! Production wise, I usually map out the project first like you know I'll say after 4 beats I want a crazy cracked-out 808 to hit every 3 beats or whatever. And I'll meticulously plan out everything like the Virgo rising I am. I don't tap a single drum in Ableton until I've mapped out the project completely. I'll know how long a song is going to be before I even lay down a keys track!