Sync Producer/Writer

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

A: I'm proud of everything that I make and put out into the world but the one that sticks out the most would probably be a song that I made in 2020 called "Come & Get It" with Janaé E. (an AMAZING writer, singer, rapper, producer FYI). This song really seems to have connected with music supervisors and sync agencies because it's easily my most sync'd song. I've gotten it placed in ads by several corporate brands and they keep renewing, even 5 years later! One of the perks of creating intellectual property, like a song, is that once it's finished it becomes an asset that can provide supplemental income for years to come.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment, I'm working on my 7th EP for Becca Lynn, my most prized sync artist (a duo of myself and my friend, Becky). I'm also finishing up a video game score for a new Meta VR racing game, which is different than a lot of the stuff I normally do.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because that’s how I learned!

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

A: My career path was to be a songwriter, but as I got more involved I realized how important production value was when pitching songs. So without any other option, I started producing my own songs and eventually turned enough ears to regularly get my songs licensed in Film/TV. I've been writing songs since I was 10 but have been making a living exclusively from music since 2018.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is normally pretty polished and to the grid. A lot of my catalog is very upbeat and poppy although I can definitely crank out a wicked rock track or a hip hop beat that slaps. I work on songs of ALL genres and tempos (actually maybe don't hit me up for a live bluegrass production, I'm probably not the guy for that!).

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

A: Pop rock, hip-hop, ad-pop, jingles, funk rock - check out my samples and Spotify playlist (included somewhere on my profile)

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It usually starts with a hook idea that I build around. Something that I know will sync well in Film/TV. As I'm building tracks, I often am humming and a lot of the little riffs and melodies I hum I end up turning into parts of the song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Pro Tools with an Apollo Twin X. The main microphones I use are a Manley Reference Cardioid, a vintage Neumann U87, and the AEA R88 Mk2 stereo ribbon. I run them through a Vintech 273 pre amp. I listen through a pair of ADAM A7X monitors. I've got an American Pro II Strat, Rickenbacker 330, Tele deluxe, Taylor acoustic, Fender Precision and Jazz basses, a mandolin, ukulele, Juno 106, Prophet 6, and a bunch of other fun gadgets an percussion stuff to make whatever sounds I may need.

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

A: Max Martin, Jack Antanoff, Jon Bellion, Ricky Reed

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

A: Producers - Cameron Stymeist (Seven Billion Productions), Lennon Leppert, Phoebe Danskin, and Hayden Maringer. Female pop singers - DEVMO and She Nova. Mixer - Blake Bunzel. Guitarist - Hayden Maringer

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Is the song fully written already or do you need me to help co-write it? Are you gonna be the singer or do you want to hire a singer? Is this to be released as is or is it a demo to pitch to other artists? If it’s for immediate release, is there a plan for promo? Where are you based? Do you plan to track vocals remotely or in my studio?

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

A: Make sure you're absolutely convinced the provider can deliver exactly what you're looking for. There's nothing worse than paying someone for a product that you're not happy with. Read their bios and most importantly listen to their samples. Let them know exactly what you are looking for and confirm that the producer can deliver this way you both have an understanding as to what the expectations are. That being said, also try to keep an open mind, given this is art and can be interpreted a million diff ways. Many producers on here will make your song sound amazing in their own way.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring coherency and melodic hooks to a song. While it’s important to sound unique, we also want your song to sound like it FITS on playlists that contain hit songs and/or the artists you're inspired by. I would never promise anyone financial gain off of music that we make together, but in the past I have been able to bring opportunities to the table that ended up providing some decent supplemental income to artists I've worked with.

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

A: Mozart because that would mean we finally figured out time travel.

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

A: The biggest misconception about this job is that people assume you're struggling and have no work because it's a dying industry. Well.. they're right. No but for real, there is a TON of work around and money to be made; you just gotta put yourself out there and constantly strive to better yourself and hone in on your craft to stay ahead of the game and keep it sounding fresh and keep making new connections and run on sentences.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That everyday I wake up and am excited to get to work. I can choose my own hours. I meet all kinds of random and cool people from all over the world. I don't take for granted that I make music for a living, I consider myself incredibly fortunate.

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

A: Did the publisher like our song? Have they pitched it yet? When am I getting paid for that placement we got 7 months ago?? The sync industry is a waiting game. It's best to send off your songs and then let the publishers and agencies do what they do best while you continue creating new songs. I'd say on average, payments come between 4-8 months but I've definitely waited for over a year for license fees.

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

A: Given there was an endless supply of electricity, singers, and artists to record on the island, a MacBook Pro, an Apollo Twin, my Manley Reference Cardioid, my Taylor Acoustic, and lube (to prolong the life of my guitar strings duh!)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is a combo of writing hooks and producing tracks. I usually prefer to work with top liners to fill out the rest of the lyrics but every so often, I'm inspired enough to write a song myself. Many times I build an entire track around a hook idea and then send off to top liners to do their thing with it. That process tends to be the most efficient.

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

A: Most of my clients are sync agencies, publishers, or music supervisors so I'm always creating songs that I'm confident will have a good chance in licensing into Film/TV. I take songs from start to finish from a simple little offbeat voice memo idea to a full fledged master recording ready to be sync'd into a commercial.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure the song/production make you feel something. Take your time making it sound the best you can but not so long where you don't have enough output. Strive to actively improve yourself as a writer and producer every year.

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

A: I'll work the project until they're totally happy with the outcome.