POWER VOCALS * TOPLINE * DEMOS

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

A: Sakari and Lo Ashley

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

A: I am proud of my most recent collaboration with Tyler The Creator on his album IGOR. It won a Grammy in 2019 and it all started when he popped up in my dm's asking if I was the singer on John Legend's Maxine.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Being still and allowing the music to flow. No forcing allowed. Also working on acquiring so many new skills. I started learning how to play guitar during quarantine.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Everything is one.

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

A: My promise to you, client, Is that I will be honest and give your project my all. I promise that I will not see your project as just a name on the screen or a track in my inbox, but a symbol of your hopes and dreams. That's what my albums are for me and I can't help but to see that in other people's work.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that music made me an open person. You have to challenge yourself everyday to stay available to inspiration. I love that the music industry (despite its evils) has made me brave and resilient. I love that this career path allows me to reinvent myself whenever I am led to.

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

A: "How long have you been singing" - All of my life (almost lol)

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

A: I think the biggest misconception is that making music, especially the writing part, works like a machine. I choose to stay available to the muse. And so there is an aspect of creating that honestly has nothing to do with me. Most of the time songs are looking for their host. The vessel that they will come through.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision? Where do you imagine this song existing? What are your vocal references for this song? What are your songwriting references for this song? Are there any personal experiences you would like to hear brought out in this particular piece?

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

A: I'd say to be transparent and communicative about exactly what you need. The more I know, the more I can perform at my best. When I am at my best, my clients are extremely happy.

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

A: My computer, my camera, my headphones, my phone, and a looseleaf book. I don't even know if that counts as "gear." I honestly don't need much to sing and write songs. Just my voice and pen & paper.

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

A: I've been singing since I was 3 years old. I started performing professionally at the age of 7. I started out in musical theater in NYC where I was born and raised. I began touring right out of high school with John Legend. It was while working with him that I discovered my passion for songwriting. I started pursuing songwriting as a career in 2008 and I've had great success. 7 years ago I moved to Nashville, where I live now, and ventured into the world of Alternative Rock (if we're naming "genres"). I recorded an album and toured as a duo from 2013-2017. In May 2019, I released my debut solo album "PHASE" as an independent artist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm a soulful, unique, and earthy person. I'm also a chamaeleon and I love that I can morph into whatever style is necessary in music.

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

A: I've been so blessed to work with some of the greatest artists of our time, but currently in 2020, i'd like to work with Michael Kiwanuka.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make it gritty.

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

A: It honestly varies. When I am not working on my albums, I like to dig into sync writing. I've had lots of success in this field and its a lot of fun for me.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think the art of performing is my strongest skill. Whether its behind a microphone on stage, or behind a mic in a vocal booth. I was born to sing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring soul! I believe that music should be felt. Music is guttural. I feel very deeply and I put that into everything I don musically. From the songwriting and especially the vocal performance.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It honestly depends. If we are talking about songwriting, then I usually am inspired with melody first. Lyrics come after, most of the time.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home recording setup that includes Logic Pro, a Focusrite preamp, and a Shure SM7B mircrophone. I am currently using this rig write songs and demo vocals.

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

A: My favorite musicians are Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Brittany Howard, Gary Clark Jr, and The Black Keys. The latter two I've been blessed to work with extensively.

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

A: I get hired a lot to demo vocals, write toplines for established and up and coming artists, as well as sing backgrounds for major recording artists.