Mix, Master, Session Musician

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

A: An album called Inner Space by The Man in the Bottle. I produced and engineered the album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m producing and engineering a song for an amazingly talented singer-songwriter named Chris Baylon. I’m producing and engineering an album for The Man in the Bottle. I’m engineering an EP for Lula Miranda.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Doesn’t matter. If the song is good, it’ll be good with analog or digital gear. Ultimately, analog for vibe, digital for convenience.

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

A: I will make your music sound even better than you envisioned!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The diversity of personality and taste. You meet every type of person with wide range of sonic preferences.

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

A: Can you make me sound like such and such artist? My answer is usually “yes, to an extent, but what’s more important is that you sound like best sounding you.”

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

A: Expensive gear will make the song good. The most important elements of any song are the writing and the performance. If you have those elements nailed down, most gear will do fine. Taste is more important than gear.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your professional and artistic goals? Who are your favorite artists? Who is your audience?

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

A: Make the music that you would want to listen to, but isn’t being made.

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 Telefunken ELAM 251 Neve 1073 UA 1176

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

A: I’ve been writing and recording music for about 20 years. I’ve been working professionally in audio for 5. Because of my musician background, I approach mixing with an artist perspective.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I love sounds that are cutting edge but also timeless. A little new and a little tradition. I try to absorb everything I can from many time periods and let those influences surface instinctively.

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

A: Bjork. Her music and talent are astounding and I imagine no second of that project would be boring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Never play it 100% safe. Always add a little something experimental. Ticking all the right boxes will make a good track but ticking that hidden box that no one knew was there will make your song timeless.

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

A: I work on everything but what I have the best instinct for is indie pop and Lo-Fi hip hop. Stuff that has some warm, punchy, groovy, tape- saturated energy is where I live.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is injecting a track with vibe. Not only can I make your track sound polished and loud but I can give it that interesting factor that sets it apart from other tracks.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a musician, I have a really keen sense of composition and tone shaping. The way I approach mixing a song is I listen for the elements that are the heart and soul of the track and make those elements shine. On a technical note, I can make a track as punchy and loud as you need or as dynamic as you need.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Most important step is being on the same wavelength with the artist. I’m all about studying the subtleties of any given genre so I can deliver a mix that is true to the vision. Starting off with references from similar artists, I begin by dialing in the rhythm section. Move on to the more melodic and harmonic elements of the track. Lastly, I focus on comping and polishing a vocal performance that is appropriate for the song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: In the box: Primarily Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Waves, Izotope Outboard: Neve, ATC, Teletronix, UA, Contact for specific details

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

A: Radiohead, Danger Mouse, Damon Albarn, Shawn Everett, Spike Stent, and so many more.

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

A: Tracking, Mixing, and Session Drumming.