Lyricist, Topliner, Vocalist

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

A: Don't stress over anything. I like to work with people who are open to the idea that a vocalist can not only offer lyrics and a voice, but also ideas, arrangement concepts, feedback on guitars (no pun intended), drums, and most importantly that the minute we agree to work together, it means together.

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

A: Our first album 'Zero Gravity', which we mixed using the talents of a an engineer found here on Soundbetter. We recorded the album over the course of a year, creating over 30 tracks which were then narrowed down to 16. The engineer we found on here really made the album come to life for us. My role was in vocals, and overall recording engineer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Outside of Sound better, our second album. Inside of Soundbetter I'm wrapping up a couple of rock tracks for a regular client.

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

A: I don't know any one else on Soundbetter other than clients I've worked with.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I do love my outboard analog gear and the smooth warm sound it can produce, but I'm a pragmatist. Sometimes digital just makes things easier, quicker, or simply more practical. So a combination is where I think I work best and produce the best work.

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

A: To deliver the best I can on their song(s). The end result needs to be something I'm proud of, so hopefully in turn that ensures they're proud of it also.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Meeting such creative and interesting people from all over the world. It's a reminder than in most cases, that it doesn't matter if you're Russian, American, Chinese, German... etc etc... we're here for music and creativity.

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

A: Can you do this for less? - No :) - I feel that cost reductions dilute more than my own overheads, in the long term they dilute the talents needed in all areas to create and make a song.

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

A: That a vocalist is just someone that sings what they're told to sing. Although, in some cases sadly that is true, but for me, it's a small part of the overall creative input.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask is they have any initial thoughts on lyric content, if they have a story, a feeling, or emotion they're looking to get across. If they do, great, we can work on that idea. If not, then the freedom is there to get creative with my own thoughts.

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

A: My portable two input Scarlett audio card - who needs more than two inputs, right? Macbook Pro, without it you're not going to record much. My Neumann mic, the quality is amazing and it certainly responds to my vocal range and frequencies. A couple of KRK Rokit5 speakers. Korg M1 - 'nuff said!

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

A: I've been working in music for over 10 years. I started (like a lot of people) in a local band, this moved into creating my own band, one that I've been with for the last 5 years. My focus has always been in the vocals, however I'm very much the 'mum' of our guys in the band and get involved with guitar parts, drums, recording, and overall production.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: This is difficult. I'm not sure I'm capable of being placed into a style, not because of any narcissistic illusion that I am unique but more because I like to move into and out of styles that interest me in the moment, styles that need to change depending on the song, tempo, emotion.

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

A: Gary Numan. I find his vocal style unique, and his work ethic very strong.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Never delete anything, that's what mute is for! Also, you never know when that previous 'bad take' will come back into the mix and actually sound great!

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

A: My aim is to stay within a few areas such as rock, electronic, pop, and the feedback I'm getting in those areas confirms that the work produced is well received.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: A wide vocal range and style. I'm equally at home working on rock music as I am on electronic, EBM, or pop.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A strong vocal performance. I also bring a dedication to writing interesting lyrical content, and ensuring that both the creative (written/vocal) side of the project equals the technical (recording and final stem quality).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first stages involve asking questions of the client, to get throughs on lyric content and ideas. Once I have that (or if the client offers 'free rein') then I'll start writing ideas in line with song melody. I'll then record a 'quick demo' take and show both written lyrics and outline to the client. If all is ok, then I'll re-record everything and finalise.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I initially use a home based studio (fully isolated and sound treated) to record demos and ideas. Once those are in place and agreed with a client I re-record all vocals in a professional studio. My home studio includes a number of high quality mics, rack-mount outboard gear, and is powered by an iMac running Logic Pro X.

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

A: I'm inspired by bands that show emotion in their work. Bands that tell a story in their lyrics, that deliver those lyrics with passion.

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

A: I write and record lyrics for each track. This includes lyric writing, recording of all vocal stems (dry and with effects), as well as providing all final stems for mixing later.