Unique Rhythm & Sounds Creator

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

A: Short story is I grew up in the Minneapolis music scene in the late 90's surrounded by peers that were in bands like Soul Asylum and Prince and the New Power Generation! I spent 6 years honing my skills in the amazingly fertile Minneapolis music scene and in 2001, I moved to Los Angeles in search of more. In 2003 my buddy, producer John Fields (Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers, P!nk, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato), was way ahead of the remote recording curve, wanted to send me a Glen Phillips (from Toad the Wet Sprocket) track over AOL instant messenger for me to add percussion to Glen's "Winter Pays For Summer" album, and I couldn't do it because I wasn't prepared or setup to do so, yet. As producers do, John had to move on and find someone else who could supply what he needed in that moment. Having grown up loving Toad the Wet Sprocket, missing out on this opportunity was a huge learning experience for me. Needless to say, I've had a "home" or remote recording rig setup ever since!

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

A: My promise is they will love the files/tracks they get from me or my job isn't done!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is I chat with the client to try and get a feel of the vision they have for their song or project. Next, I receive a file (or files) from the client and a day or so later, after approval by the client, the client receives my files via upload to dropbox.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have MANY traditional, as well as "found sound" percussion instruments that I've collected over 25 years from around the world. A handful of vintage drum kits, as well as a few modern drum kits. I use Oram, Neve, Api, Chandler, Warm, and BAE pre's through an Apollo 16 + Twin. A great collection of various popular (and some not so popular) dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics.

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

A: I've been so fortunate to have many "proud" moments in my career, but the one that comes to mind in this moment is, I once had a percussion session (non-remote) at a studio in LA, it was for a movie, and James Gadson was on drums!! I helped him load in and setup, we got to hangout all day and make music. I'll never forget that day.

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

A: I work with a lot of songwriters. I know songs are like their "babies". The advice I could give on that front is know what you want (and it's ok if you don't) with your song or project and surround yourself with creatives that understand that vision. I think by doing this, an artist sets him or herself up for creating the product they had originally envisioned.

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

A: What huge question!! I think John Mayer would be fun. Aaron Sterling is a beast and plays John's gig perfectly, but John is so good when he plays, it would be fun to paint on whatever canvas he is working on. Speaking of John, I'd have to say Zane Carney for the very same reasons.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't settle. Trust yourself. The sound you're hearing in your head that you want in your song, IS possible. It may need to be created, but it's possible.

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

A: Singer-Songwriter, Pop, Country, Film, Sound Design.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Building tracks. Layering percussion. Creating sounds.

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

A: Oh wow, so many! To pick a few, I'm a fan of Josh Freese (drums), Steve Jordan (drums), Jay Bellerose (drums), Aaron Sterling (drums), Nir Z (drums), Dann Huff (producer), Ryan Tedder (producer/songwriter), Mikal Blue (producer/songwriter), Rick Ruben (producer).

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

A: Record and deliver unique, great sounding, phase-aligned Drums & Percussion files for Clients.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just finished up a song for country artist Brett Young (I am Brett's touring drummer), and I'm currently working on some songs for producer friend of mine in the Bay Area as well as a producer in LA.

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

A: I am new to the SoundBetter platform, and I'm sure there are more people on here that I know but at the moment, Noah Needleman (guitar, bass, vocals) and Blair Sinta (drums).

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Because both have their strengths and place and when used together properly, things can really shine!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love my job because playing drums is all I have a memory of wanting to do when I grew up! (I'm still working on the growing up part though)

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

A: A lot of folks ask me who my favorite drummer is. My answer is always "It depends on the genre. And there's a music for every mood, so my list is long."

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

A: I just setup a couple of mics, press record and send the files back, right? I think this is the biggest misconception about the remote recording process. Art takes time. Recording (if you care about it) take time.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask them for influences. What the vibe (or story behind) of what they are creating is.

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

A: MacBook Pro Apollo Twin WA 47jr fet Mid 60's Ludwig Club Date Kit Paiste Cymbals

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I try to offer a great feeling pocket and unique sounds to whatever I am working on.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I strive to bring a great feeling, unique and fresh sound (whether it be through technique or instrument) to each and every song or project I have the privilege to work on.