Session vocalist | songwriter

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, I am working on two trip-hop EPs, and provided a number of vocal sessions for musicians and producers in the UK and wider Europe. My session work is always centred around vocals and creating stories through lyrics for clients. My own projects allow me to write, record and produce. It gives me some variety in what I'm working on day-to-day and keeps me very busy.

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

A: There is an absolutely amazing pianist on SoundBetter called Suwon. She is incredibly talented. Great work ethic and very personable. If you're a client and require a pianist, she's definitely your girl.

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

A: 'Misconception' implies an incorrect view based on faulty thinking or understanding. If you build rapport with a client and create a safe space for them to comfortably discuss their project, ask questions and provide feedback, 'misconceptions' are very limited.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to understand the background of each project and develop a bond with the client. This gives me a good idea of the client's expectations and breaks down the barrier of client/ provider so that the client feels more comfortable with expressing their vision. I'll inquire about the genre, hard deadlines, lyrics, vocal stylings, reference tracks and, if necessary bpm and key (although this is something I'll know from hearing the .wav/ .aiff).

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

A: Be as clear and honest about the specifics of your project. As a client, you have a vision and the best way to ensure a provider is on the same page regarding your project is clear and concise information. Providers are here to bring your vision to life. The more information they (we) have, the more accurately we can do this for you. Elements to bear in mind, particularly when approaching a session vocalist, are - .wav/ .aiff of the intended demo track - lyrics if applicable - reference tracks to convey the desired emotion/ theme/ vibe you're seeking, e.g. of the vocals or overall sound - any hard deadlines - anything else that you, as a client, feel is relevant to your There are no silly questions so, if you have any, please do ask away. Communication is a major factor when working together. And I would certainly recommend spending time looking through providers. It's not always a case of finding "the best provider". It's about finding the best provider for YOU.

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

A: If I were on a desert island, I'd like to think that my first priority would to be get off said island however... I'd definitely want my laptop (though the battery is unlikely to last the duration of my stay), sound-card and headphones... I might also want to take my mobile phone and a mast to ensure I have signal to CALL FOR HELP! ;)

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

A: I've been a singer/ songwriter/ session vocalist for 10 years and earned my stripes as an unknown featured artist providing vocals for numerous musicians and producers. Morgan Freeman said it best in 'Along Came a Spider' - "You do what you are". And if you can earn a living doing something you love, that's half the battle.

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

A: I think that your own projects are often the most rewarding as they are your brainchild. They're your creations. You birthed them, nurtured them and watched them grow. But there's also that elation you get from being a part of something great, even if you're just a small cog in a big machine. Every time I work on a project, I leave a little piece of myself behind. I'm proud of all the projects I work on. I think that one of the best projects I worked on was for a film. The client needed simplicity and something "a little out there" in its uniqueness. I like weird and wonderful things and I like film. This was a win, win for me.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: The sound and warmth of analog always has that little some extra that you just don't get with digital, however, digital tends to be more accurate. I'm choosing both!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Variety. Session work is a little bit of a pick 'n' mix. Clients have different genres, vocal preferences and project goals. You work on a Blues or RnB project one day and the next day you're discussing an EDM project. It's never dull and keeps me on my toes. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to each client's needs is key.

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

A: As a multi-genre professional session vocalist, I work in numerous genres - trip-hop, breakbeat, pop, blues, soul, RnB and EDM. I provide lead and background vocals, toplining & songwriting to my clients.