Multi Instrumentalist Producer

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

A: Kelly Lee Owens - I think her approach to electronic music is extremely refreshing. It's sensual and hypnotic whilst being melodic, dark and unrelenting all at the same time.

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

A: I recently scored the trailer for BBC's new series, Conversations with Friends. I really love the song and it compliments the trailer really well. Sometimes I over criticise my work, but when I listen back to this there is nothing I would change..which is rare!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Lots of trailer stuff, an 80's film inspired synth album and a no holes barred electronic rock album.

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

A: Nick Tompkins - Vocalist and songwriter. Steve Evans - my brother and a great mix Engineer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A bit of both!

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

A: To help you to achieve your sonic/musical goals as best as I can.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to write music every day!

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

A: Can you offer mastering? Not really. I love mixing but I don't master tracks as I believe there are some amazing mastering engineers out there who really know their stuff - and you'd be better off using someone who really understands that process.

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

A: I just fiddle with a computer all day long...which is half true.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want to achieve? Do you have any track references that can help me understand what you're looking for?

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

A: Scope people out and open a dialogue to see if you share the same vision. I think a shared creative spark can really help - especially in the early days of a creative venture.

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

A: SSL Fusion, Modular Synth, Gibson Les Paul, Behringer Deepmind12, Arp Odyssey.

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

A: I have been producing and writing for over 20 years. I have been a self employed composer and producer since 2011.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dark, electronic, synth rock.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always record a good take when you're still excited about the idea. Don't throw something down with the aim of re-recording it. You'll never be able to recapture the sound of that excitement again - even if the take is technically better.

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

A: Electronic, industrial, orchestral, cinematic, rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I never get writers block - I love writing music and always finish songs. I don't like censoring my creativity so I let whatever has to come out, come out.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to think that I bring sonic excitement and interesting parts. I'm always keen to try and find the part that is 100% right for the song - and never settle unless it is perfect.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually start a track from a very basic idea of melody and chords alongside a simple groove. From here I love to use sound design so that the track starts to have an identity early on in the process and then I spend time arranging the track and mixing as I go.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a well kitted out production room in central Brighton. I have a central desk with controller keyboard and some lovely outboard where I spend most of my working day. I use Focal monitors and also have the SSL Fusion and Kemper within easy reach. Other than that I have a large selection of hardware synthesisers, guitars and outboard processing gear.

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

A: Trent Reznor, John Carpenter, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Mick Gordon, Kelly Lee Owens, Soft Cell, Killing Joke.

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

A: I provide session work - most commonly Electric/Acoustic guitar and programming . My main job is writing music for TV, Film & Trailer. I write and produce music in a variety of different styles and genres. I love writing bold, exciting epic music and I love helping other writers achieve their goals by helping produce the sounds they are hearing in their head.