PRO Singer/Top-liner

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

A: I think the next record that my band has coming out is something i'm very proud of. I helped with most of the songwriting, production and arrangement, and the end result is by far our best work to date. Can't wait to share it!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My band Ten Minute Detour will be releasing our third LP this Summer, and I am currently writing for my second LP under my solo act, Andrew Shier.

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

A: Rhys Lintern. He's a drummer in Australia who I've worked with many times. He's super friendly and great to work with, and he just built an awesome studio out of his home for tracking drums.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. I simply don't have the technical abilities to maintain analog gear at the moment. One day!

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

A: The project won't be finished until you are happy. If at any point you feel like it's not working, no hard feelings and we can just step away from it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The freedom to work on my own schedule, and the privilege of working with so many amazing people who are all unique in their own way.

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

A: How many times can you revise something? My answer is always "As many times as it takes until you're happy"!

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

A: That's I'm an angry person. I just have an angry resting face, but I really am quite happy person!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your budget? What is your timeline? What are your expectations? Do you have any musical or visual references so I can further understand what you are trying to achieve?

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

A: Please just reach out. It's so hard to get to know someone and what they can do just through a profile. By having a conversation we can really unpack what it is you're looking for and whether or not I can help.

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

A: Acoustic Guitar, Analog 8-track recorder, Drum Kit, Microphone, Bass. Does this Island have power!?

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

A: I began writing music in grade 10 with some friends. In University I wrote and released a 5 song EP but never really thought anything of it. By the time I was 23 I joined a band in Calgary, AB and we've been together ever since. I have released solo music over the last 7 years or so, and have also formed a band with my good friend in Australia. I guess it's been almost 17 years...woah.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd say on most occasions I'm a pop sensible singer/songwriter with a unique imperfect indie sound.

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

A: I'd lover to work with Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats. I think he's a great melody writer and his songs just have a life to them that I can't explain. He also seems like a cool guy!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Have a firm understanding of the end goal before you begin. Too many times I'd start recording before having a clear picture of what I'm trying to achieve. It only adds more labour to the project and can wear you down if you have to start again.

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

A: Typically some for of electronic music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Adapting to the project at hand is probably my strongest skill. I try and be as much of a chameleon as possible, changing the delivery of the vocals or the tone of my voice. I want to bring something new to each client I work with, and I think pushing myself to do something I've never done before helps with that.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think with my background in rock/indie music, I bring a different perspective when working with electronic artists. I've learned to write melodies for various genres over the past decade which allows me to really treat each project as its own entity. Vocally I don't necessarily have the cleanest or perfect voice. It has a uniqueness typically not found in electronic music, so when I pair that with a solid hook and electronic production, the final product is something fresh and interesting.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically I enjoy starting with a conversation. I want to make sure I understand what the project is, and what my clients expectations are. Once we're on the same page, I'll start roughing out some vocal ideas and sending them over to the artist for feedback. We go back and forth a little bit until their happy, at which point I re-record mostly everything and tighten it up a bit. My work is never complete until the client is 100% satisfied.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a sound treated smaller room where I record most instruments and vocals. I tend to record most vocal takes on an SM7B as I find it offers really great versatility for various singing styles. As far as my DAW goes I use Logic Pro X and lean heavily on UA Audio and Fabfilter plug-ins.

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

A: I really love all of Shawn Everetts work as far as production goes. I think being able to create sounds that aren't commonly heard, while keeping them engaging and approachable to the listener is something he does really well and something I strive to achieve when recording.

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

A: The most common work I do for clients is helping them write catchy top-line melodies and lyrics that suit the genre and mood of their project.