Beat Maker, Mixing

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

A: Definitely BeatsMadebyFresh. His production is superb & very inspiring to me.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Where do you see yourself going in music? What motivates you the most to create?

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My debut Instrumental EP "Budd" will be coming out early 2021.

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

A: The upcoming album by Kastaway and myself, called "El Pilon". I served as co-executive producer and made all of the beats. The project is a poignant cultural exchange and the sound reflects that.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for the practicality, Analog for the warmth and depth.

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

A: Art over everything.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I don't get up in the morning & "have" to do something, I "get" to do what I do every day if that makes sense. My worst day ever doing music is still better than a good day at a 9-5.

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

A: That I'm a "DJ" haha. Mostly get that from non-industry folks though.

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

A: Be clear in your vision & intent when looking to work with a producer. The more specific your goals are, the easier the producer can make that happen for you!

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

A: My laptop, Akai Fire, Focusrite, Headphones, and Hard drive.

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

A: I've been making music since I was 12, and decided this is what I wanted to do in life when I was about 17, and haven't looked back.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to call the music I make and love the most "Introspective Funk". It's got to have bounce,

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

A: I'd love to work with Rexx Life Raj. We're both from the Bay Area but haven't connected yet & I think our sounds naturally match. I think I'd be able to add value to what he's already doing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Everything's got to hit on the "One".

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

A: I primarily make beats of the Hip Hop, Soul, Funk and Trap Soul variety, and typically mix & master tracks of those genres as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think the swing or bounce I give to my beats, I love the "pocket". That and a groovy synth bass.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The emotional content an artist needs to get inspired to do their best work.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I watch some funny videos to start my morning, meditate, make my chai. When i begin producing I start with drums, like 99% of the time, the melody thereafter then a bass line idea.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work within FL Studio 20, my touchstone for the past 12 + years. In addition I have my Midi controllers: an Akai Fire, and M-Audio Key-station 49es. I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface, and hear everything out of two Yamaha HS5 studio monitors.

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

A: I get inspired by my folks such as as MarsToday, he's such an all around producer. Lately I've been listening to a beat maker that goes by SPELLSPELLSPELL, and he's incredibly Funky! I love listening to soulful vocalists, like Raveena or Alex Isley, usually they inspire beats to be made.

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

A: I primarily make beats and produce for artists, and recently am getting into mixing and mastering.