Multi-Genre Lead/Backup Singer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Recently my husband and I have turned our home into a little "music venue" called Menagerie Sound where we can produce high quality livestream concerts for local-ish artists. It's been such a joy to create a platform where we can support other independent musicians like ourselves.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for the sake of convenience. Analog for the sake of nostalgia.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask for songs or artists that I can use as a frame of reference, that's the best way for me to understand the sound you're hearing in your head. If I'm going to be recording harmonies I like to talk about whether you want straight 1-3-5 chord structures or some "crunchier," more dissonant stuff. Other than that it's just nailing down the nitty-gritty details of exactly what you need, when you need it, and for how much.

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

A: Just start the conversation! I would love to brainstorm with you and hear about what you're working on. I promise that if I don't think I'm the right fit for your project I'll be honest with you about it, and if you don't think I'm the right fit there's no obligation to hire me.

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

A: I've been performing since I was a pre-teen (according to home videos I've been performing since birth) but I've had day jobs in corporate entertainment and music booking since graduating college. I always feel like a secret agent because I get to listen to people in the industry talk very candidly about other musicians, it's been quite the education.

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

A: My original music falls under the indie-pop umbrella, but I love working on projects for other people because I get the chance to flex muscles I don't always get to use in my own work.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am a singer through and through. I often say that everything else I do - playing piano, learning the skills necessary to market and book myself, even songwriting to a certain extent - is all just so I have an excuse to sing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I can belt my face off or make you lean in and listen close. I grew up listening to (and imitating) such a wide variety of singers that my voice can work in just about any context, and I'm able to tailor my vocal performance to whatever a client or collaborator is looking for. I also started recording content for corporate events when I was only 14, so I learned very early how to sound more commercial or more edgy or whatever was needed for a particular project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I very wisely married a talented producer/engineer because I am so far from being a gearhead, I'm always more concerned about the aesthetics of the studio. (Last year we moved into an old bungalow and turned the entire second story into our studio, it's glorious.) I play a Nord Piano 3, we use a Slate ML-1 for vocals and we record with Logic Pro X, but other than that I leave the gear to the pros.

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

A: I really admire people like Sara Bareilles, Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright who are exceptionally good at crafting and performing pop music, but who have also been able to explore other sides of themselves - Sara has become a part of the Broadway community, Ben has been composing for and performing with orchestras, Rufus has written operas, things like that. I just respect people who keep pushing themselves to grow even after achieving success in one area.