Guitars, Dobro, Pedal Steel

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm in the process of writing a record with my bluegrass band the DownRiver Collective. This band has been such a happy surprise for me over the last few years and after our first EP was well-received, we're thrilled to be working on our debut full length record.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to ask for references and direction/general ideas for the song. I want to show the client that I care about their project and am capable of giving it what it needs. References help us get on the same page and build a common vocabulary for us to rely on.

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

A: My Martin 000, my Martin D-18, my MSA pedal steel, a Fender Deluxe Reverb, and a tuner. I think that would be enough to keep me occupied.

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

A: I have lived in Nashville for 10 years. I was in college at the beginning, but since then, I have woven my way through various fields and gigs. From live sound engineering to music journalism, from sideman guitarist to member of a band, it's been really interesting. I find the diversity keeps me engaged. I started out doing the odd cover gig here and there, but through persistence and practice, I was able to work up into other gigs. Doing what you love with people you love is the thing that has propelled me the most. This is music, people can hear when you're completely into the project. That's why my passions for bluegrass, dobro, and pedal steel have been the most essential in moving my career forward. My band and my love for covering a lot of musical ground gets me so excited and leads me to gigs where I get to do more of what I love.

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

A: Commonly, when a person sends me music to work on, my typical approach is to consider what energy the song has and what it wants. I then like to tailor parts that match and enhance the overall atmosphere of the record, resulting in tracks that are tasteful and functional. Many times, I record more foundational elements, such as acoustic guitar tracks on a song. On other records, I get to think more decoratively, adding parts on pedal steel, for example. I enjoy the craft of making the foundational work well with the decorative, it's a passion that helps me get the best possible quality tracks for a person's record.

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

A: I'm really proud of my band's first EP, titled Off the Shelf. It's a five song EP that features a nice blend of heavy, driving bluegrass and sweet, soulful acoustic music. I got to play guitar on three songs and dobro on the other two. It was one of my first experiences recording dobro in a big studio setting and I'm really proud of the way it turned out. One of our songs, "Dead To Me" has been featured on SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction quite a lot since we released the EP in September of 2023!

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

A: Kyle May, Ryan Casey, RJ Ronquillo, Smith Curry, Curtis McDonald, Patrick Monnious, and Josh Matheny to name just a few.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Obviously we need the digital in today's world, but the thing I connect with most is the music that gets made by acoustic instruments. I am at home behind an acoustic guitar.

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

A: I promise to give your project all the attention it needs for you to be more than satisfied. I will work with you to get the tracks exactly how you want.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love getting to work on so many different kinds of projects. I like to keep in touch with a core sense of musicality by playing a few different instruments and staying explorative. Working on other people's music helps me to do the same thing.

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

A: I think folks tend to have a hard time understanding that I record for more than just myself or my band. It can honestly be pretty silly, but it's always entertaining to me. Explaining what I do helps me remember that I love doing it!

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

A: I know there can be an overwhelming number of options, but if you like someone's examples and previous work, don't be afraid to just talk with them to feel out whether or not they're going to be a fit for your project. You don't owe them anything for just reaching out! I'd want to feel like a person cares about my project before I hired them to work on it, so don't be afraid to reach out!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My sound is folky and melodic.

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

A: I would love to work with an artist like Tauren Wells. That music is just so fun and electrifying, I feel like every show would be a blast.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Get to know the editing capabilities in your DAW! I would say being an efficient and particular editor can save you time when working on a track. We're making records here, editing well can afford you more time to record other parts, ideas, songs, etc.

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

A: I find myself recording a lot of acoustic guitar and pedal steel. The tracks tend to be either folk music or any brand of country, from pop country to bluegrass.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am best at playing with emotion. From understanding the slightest rhythmic nuances to laboring over chord voices and guitar tones, I pride myself on work that enhances a song's big picture.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a multi-faceted musical background and a keen ear to any project that comes my way. I love listening to and playing such a wide array of different music, from top 40 pop to old school bluegrass, CCM, rap, R&B, and many more. This diversity in interest has allowed me to develop an ear for objectively pleasing parts. Loving so many styles of music helps me to not focus on just the beat, the tone, the lyric, or the melody, but to zoom out and experience the song in its entirety. I love the feeling of creating cohesion on a track.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to listen through the tracks that I receive a few times before really even setting up mics or plugging in to record. I'll drop audio files into my session and listen while also keeping in mind the direction from the client. Then, I'll take a few attempts to get a part down, edit the tracks for the extra ounce of precision, and send back what I call my "knee-jerk" takes. From there, the clients and I go back and forth until we've arrived at the parts and tracks that best suit what they are looking for. I never settle until the track is exactly right!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record out of my home studio. It's built around an Arturia AudioFuse interface that lets me get high-quality audio in and out while also letting me control monitoring in an efficient way. I record with a Warm Audio WA-47jr and a Slate Digital ML-2, a pair of microphones that help me get very nice, complimentary tones. For electric instruments, I am set up to track both DI through a Helix modeler as well as through an amp and into a mic. My studio is rounded out by a host of really great plugins and other virtual tools, such as Slate Digital's VMR, all of Arturia's software, and a curated selection of virtual instruments.

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

A: I am inspired by an array of musicians. Many of my close friends inspire me as much or more than my musical heroes. The people who really inspire me the most are the ones who have a track record of putting in the work and getting good results that are appropriate to the song. Some friends of mine who inspire me and are also available for hire here on SoundBetter are Kyle May, Ryan Casey and Andy Ellison. Everything these guys play feels so right.