Writer - Producer - Mixer

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

A: Male rock singer/producer - Nolan Neal. Female pop singers - DEVMO and She Nova. Mixer - Blake Bunzel. Pop producers - Cameron Stymeist (Seven Billion Productions) and Lennon Leppert.

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

A: I recently landed a bunch of ad placements, a couple being for Oral-B, and they're using my song "Come & Get It (feat. Janaé E.) which I'm super stoked about. I was the producer, mixer, and co-writer for that track. I also have a really funny ad coming out for Maryland Lotto so if you're in Maryland, keep an ear out for this! I was hired to create a parody of a Backstreet Boys song for a new scratch-off being released. I produced and mixed it and me and a couple friends are singing on it so it'll be fun to see that one soon.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm constantly working on sync music. At the moment, I've been adding quite a bit of sounds from the kitchen into my songs which has been fun. The last few tracks I've made are almost solely rhythmically supported by pots, pans, spoons, forks, cups, serving utensils, etc. I've also got a few production gigs I'm working on with some really awesome independent artists.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because that’s how I learned and all of my gear is digital. If someone says analog, they're a boomer. Don't hire them. Hire me. jk!

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 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 attracted enough ears to hire me to write, produce, and mix for them. I've been producing, mixing, and writing songs with and for artists since about 2015 and have been doing it exclusively for a living 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.

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

A: Pop with elements of hip hop and rock infused when and where needed

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: What's your typical work process?

A: A client will either come in with a song already written or one they want help finishing. Once it’s done, we record a vocal over a rough beat or a simple guitar track as a foundation. I then produce a full track around it and if necessary, we record final vocals. Then mix and master and we’re done!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of home in a guesthouse. I run Pro Tools Ultimate through an HD rig and use a Manley Reference Cardioid mic for vocals and run it through a Vintech 273 pre amp. I listen through a pair of ADAM A7X monitors. I've got a Tele deluxe, a couple bass guitars, a couple acoustic guitars, a mandolin, ukulele, a bunch of percussion stuff, a Juno synth, a Prophet synth, and whatever else I could possibly need to make a cool song Instruments: Taylor Acoustic Fender Tele Deluxe Electric Fender Jazz Bass Fender Precision Mark Hoppus Signature Bass Roland Juno 106 Synth Prophet-6 Synth Eastman MD815 Mandolin Cordoba Ukulele A 1920’s upright piano Various percussion instruments A kazoo

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

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

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

A: Mozart because that would mean we 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. Also, making my own hours, meeting tons of random and amazing people through sessions, and most people in the creative industry are generally laid back. It's just chill hangs!

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

A: When's the soonest I can have it done by? It depends on the type of gig and how much I currently have going on. For a mix of a track or recording guitars or vocals, I can usually have that done within a week. For a full production or multiple productions, that often times takes over a month, and not because I’m working on it for a straight month but because I’m always booking ahead.

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: Production, writing melodies, and pulling the best out of artists. I want the song to be good and to make sense lyrically, but more importantly I want the artist to sound authentic singing it. It needs to feel “correct” and I do all I can to make sure it does.

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

A: I mainly write with and produce songs for my clients. I play guitar, piano, and can sing, which is a + when building tracks. I also mix and master all of my stuff.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Utilize each section of the frequency spectrum. If your track feels empty but you don’t know why, throw a visual EQ up on your master track and see where you’re lacking. Fill that space with an instrument or sound that would fit there. Also, spend the necessary amount of time to really find the right samples and sounds. Don’t just bring in one random kick and one random snare. Try a bunch of diff options, REALLY listen, and pick the best one that fits the track you’re working on.

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

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