Rock, pop, funk & metal drums

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

A: My first solo album because I proved to myself I could write and record everything, and that I could create music people genuinely liked. Recently I recorded a song called The Black Room in my studio for IAMWARFACE and I’m so proud of the power and balance I achieved in the drum parts, and the sound of the kit. This was a big step for me.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Finding more exciting clients! I sang lead vocals and wrote the lyrics for a new alternative rock project called Meantime which will be released later in 2020 - it’s my debut as a proper lead vocalist and I’m immensely proud of it. I have my second solo album in the works which is taking a while due to my busy schedule but which I’m very excited to finally lay down.

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

A: If you need another great song drummer, Emily Dolan Davies is your girl.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Analogue often sounds best but digital is so wonderfully flexible. Analogue poses a beautiful human challenge because it’s less malleable but you can get so creative with the immediacy of digital.

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

A: That I will record great sounding drums that will support their musical vision and bring some excitement or feeling to their project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Variety and challenge! I grow with every recording.

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

A: How quickly can I turn tracks around! My answer is usually same day or next day unless the piece is complex. I like to be proactive and amenable, and I don’t like to keep people waiting. The other one is usually about specific snare sounds, and I advise that this usually needs to be communicated early in the process unless it is something that becomes apparent during tracking and reviewing. I will re-record a track if the snare sound isn’t what the customer and song need.

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

A: That it’s an exact science. Usually things flow, but sometimes some back and forth or a short ‘gestation period’ are needed to bring out the best in a track.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: As above - what do you want this to feel and sound like? Which accents do you want to hit? What kind of snare and tom sounds do you hear for each song? When do you need the tracks by?

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

A: Be as clear about what you want as possible - don’t be afraid to go into detail. Leaving things to chance can create beautiful results but if you have a vision or specific goals, communicate those fully.

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

A: Headphones Practice pad, kick pad, throne and sticks! MacBook Guitar Microphone

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

A: I spent many years being devoted to whichever band I was in at the time with a few forays into live session work and tribute gigs. When I had the chance to build a home studio I started to see the potential for working with many different artists and being able to put on a different hat almost every day. This has led me to focus increasingly on being a busy recording drummer. I have been working as a remote recordist for just under a year, so it is still very much a growing thing. I do still perform and teach, and believe that each avenue informs the other.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Powerful, musical and full of feeling.

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

A: Matt Mahaffey of Self/music production fame. He’s also a drummer/songwriter and just such a consummate musician. His ear for original sounds, incredible hooks and punchy production are something I’d like to learn from.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Be conscious of the spaces you fill or create and how they will sound later in the mix. When mixing, don’t overthink it - if it sounds bad, start over.

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

A: Rock and pop. Soft to very heavy.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: An ear for arrangement and strong ability to interpret emotion or atmosphere, which then let me create drum parts that merge seamlessly with the rest of the instruments. I like to think this makes me versatile, because I take my cues from a lot of different music and aesthetic sources.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A lot of energy, a very musical approach and an ear for detail. I’m sensitive to song arrangements, instrumental nuances and where the main focus of the overall track needs to sit at any given point. In essence I try to create a drum part that feels like no other part would work - it has to flow, rise and fall or simply travel in all the right places. This is what I consider to be song oriented drumming.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I’ll get a proposal from a client that usually includes a demo. I gauge how long it will take to write and record the parts, inform the client and then create a chart for the song. I’ll focus on technical sections first so I’m prepared when they arise, then I just start doing takes. I really like to get a full performance for the feel, but will always work on specific sections if they need smoothing. I then present a finished comp to the client. It usually takes me a day to turn a song or a few songs around, although complex material can change this.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a small but vibey-sounding custom made studio with a good balance between brightness and control. I use a Tama Starclassic walnut/birch kit which is punchy but versatile. My main snare is a Gretsch bell brass but I have various DW, Tama, Pearl and Mapex models in steel and wood. I use Zildjian cymbals and a range of percussion tools. My mics include AKG, Shure, Rode and Behringer models. I have 2-3 room mics and 14 kit mics.

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

A: Session players like Ash Soan, Emily Dolan Davies and Jim Riley inspire me as a song-oriented remote drummer. Like them I aim to be diverse and not limited to one style of music. In terms of playing, I look to great studio players like Josh Freese, Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Grohl for part construction, power and smoothness.

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

A: Recording drums for everything from simple acoustic singer-songwriter material and funky pop to all shades of hard rock and metal. Every track I’ve been sent is my very different.