Writer/Producer, Mixing, Keys

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

A: The first and second song I released that were completely my own work including lead vocals. I never considered myself a lead vocalist which I'm not, but I did prove to myself that I can cover all bases with the exception of guitar myself. Which means I don't ever have to rely on anyone to express myself creatively. Which was enormously liberating for me.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on some of my songs at the moment, and currently mixing an album for The Original Seventies PaperLace for the Original singer and Bass player.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital all the way, it can be as clean or dirty as you want.

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

A: I won't stop until you're happy

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like to mix, especially other peoples ideas, even though I can be sociable I prefer a little solitude, mixing gives me that.

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

A: How much do you charge? How much can you pay?

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

A: Because I fit into so many rolls I find it hard to define a particular job roll, to some I'm the keys player, to another I'm the producer, mix engineer, songwriter, I've got a really strong voice with a wide range and have done sessions as a backing vocalist.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want and when do you want it?

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

A: Be nice I'm delicate.

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

A: Laptop fully loaded, generator, Apollo interface, 88 note fully weighted keyboard, Good Microphone, Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

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

A: Started piano age 4, on leaving school worked in bands, mostly touring abroad playing covers. Joined Mickey Finns T-Rex toured more countries and played Stadiums and Arenas, from that Session work studio and gigs with Smokie, John Parr, Les McKoewn, parallel with this I was writing songs and collaborating with Mike Terry (Blue, Top Loader) Steve Chrysanthou (Corrine Bailey Rae) Nigel Wilson (Fame Academy) Plus many others Steve is the only one I didn't do the mixing for as he has an awesome set of ears.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm definetly an all rounder, being a keyboard player I love guitar based things, because I can't play guitar.

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

A: Max Martin is my Hero, I'd love to work with him.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Proper gain staging.

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

A: Mostly the pop side of things, I've always loved pop music, in most Genre's there seems to be that middle ground whether it's Rock Pop, Dance Pop, Urban Pop, Hip hop etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I suppose my first instrument is Piano at which I am a classically trained pianist from age 4, then songwriting either musically or lyrically, lyrics are my weakest point but that said the satisfaction I get on completion is worth the effort it takes. Anything musical is nearly too easy and never seems like anything special until the people I'm working with say "that's brilliant".

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have such a wide skill set depending on what's required I will sit in that roll, this is especially useful when collaborating in a writer producer roll, but I always end up mixing the projects. Hooks are kind of a thing for me, I love tunes and can arrive at them no matter what chord structure is being used and they can all be whistled.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: That depends on what's required. I always like a reference as to where I'm going stylistically as I'm such an all rounder and can turn my skills to anything musically. So it depends what the client wants, Vocals, Groove, Hooks in that order for me when mixing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm an in the box guy. Having grown up with analogue gear, scratchy pots, dust and dry joints. I love the flexibility of technology. Instant recall don't underestimate that one.

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

A: There are too many to mention. The streaming services are full of them.

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

A: I fluctuate between mixing and keyboard duties, they both come in equal measure.