Lead/Background Vox, Guitar

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

A: I've done two lead vocal projects for a Nashville songwriter that was in a genre that I don't frequently work in. I'm proud of those because I was able to step outside of my musical comfort zone and provide the client with something that they loved.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My most recent completed project was playing Rhodes for a funky southern rock tune. I'm currently in between for-hire projects and am working on my own solo EP.

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

A: I frequently work with a drummer named Jordan Perlson that always provides great tracks. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a live drummer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love the hands-on relationship with analog gear, but digital is catching (if it hasn't caught) up. It's hard to beat the user friendly nature and convenience of digital in a day and age where few people can tell the difference. If your project sounds good, that's what matters.

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

A: I'll give your project exactly what you hope for and likely a little bit more.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: While I love performing live, the remote recording landscape offers a lot of freedom that is great. Being a singer and multi-instrumentalist I love the variety of work I get to do. Nothing ever feels stale.

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

A: People that know me tend to pigeon hole me with their opinion of what I do. There's nothing wrong with that, but among those people there are several different ideas about what I do. Don't worry too much about it. Whatever your project is, we'll make it work.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have a deadline? Where do you see your project on the spectrum of in-the-box popular production to creative interpretation? (For instruments) Do you have a specific sound in mind? I usually do multiple takes. Would you like me to comp a track or send you several options?

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

A: Fender Stratocaster, Shure SM7b, Apollo interface, iMac Pro (Is this the equivalent of wishing for more wishes?), Nord Stage

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

A: I've been a full time musician since 2004. I graduated from college that year and was lucky enough to almost immediately land a house gig that kept me working four nights a week. Since then I've steadily worked, moved to a few different places, and over time acquired plenty studio gear and experience.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I've always leaned a little towards classic soul music. To me that's where modern R&B or Gospel rhythms and harmony meet the raw energy of the blues. That might sound too specific for some projects, but I've yet to hear anyone ask for less soul in their song.

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

A: Gregory Porter. He's a jazz artist that is often compared to Bill Withers. An artist rooted in what might be the most organic, artist friendly genre that is likened to one of our most celebrated popular singer/songwriters ever would have to open up some creative opportunities.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Understand music and harmony. There are many copy-and-paste laptop producers around today that hold producers like Quincy Jones and David Foster in high regard, but won't ever approach that level of work without the right background.

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

A: I've been frequently asked to lend my voice to song pitches that fall in the Americana/Country genre, but artist's projects are typically blues, soul, and jazz.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is how quickly and efficiently I can deliver a pro-quality finished product over a wide range of genres.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Passion and energy (appropriate to the client's needs). Also there are tons of musicians that were gear heads first. They can produce a great sound, but not always the right performance for the project. I was a player/performer first. After many years of that I graduated to producing professional quality recordings.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I typically load the tracks that I'm given into Pro Tools, set up a new track for the instrument/voice I'm providing and dial in tone as I listen. Then I learn the song. Sometimes I learn by writing charts. Sometimes I record a section at a time until I've learned it. I rarely use these first recordings. Once I know the song in it's entirety the performance is usually better.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an Apollo x8p and Focusrite OctoPre, for live tracking 16 channels, through Pro Tools and an iMac Pro. I have a good mic locker selection, approximately 20 electric and acoustic guitars with plenty of real and simulated amps. Two vintage Fender Rhodes pianos as well as the Arturia V collection for MIDI recording.

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

A: I've always been a huge fan of guys like Quincy Jones, David Foster, and Phil Ramone. When those guys were involved you can also bet that the talent on the record is pretty inspiring too. More recently, I feel that way about guys like Raphael Saadiq, Mark Ronson, and Jamie Lidell.

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

A: I'm frequently hired to sing lead on song pitches with an otherwise complete production. Artists that are working on album projects call on me for guitar, keyboard (usually organic sounds: Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Piano, etc.), and occasionally trumpet.