Music Producer | Songwriter

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

A: Recently I scored a short film 'Two Graves' that won an 'Award of Excellence' at the Canadian Short Film Festival. Winning awards isn't everything but when it happens it's a great feeling that validates your hard work and passion. I also loved working with artist 'Jon Bryant' & producer 'Nygel Asselin' last year, such great guys and we had a lot of fun writing and touring together.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have two full-time artists that I'm currently running Pre-Production for, developing both their studio arrangements and their live ones simultaneously & I'm excited to start touring with my live clients when it is safe to do so. Also currently cowriting with many incredible artists on a few things that will be released soon.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog when possible. Digital is such a great & necessary modern tool but I love rack units & reamping.

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

A: It's that we'll make something great.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working with a variety of people and sounds is always incredible but really what I love most about the work is the work, Songwriting is my passion through and through.

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

A: How long will it take? Timelines can be pressing but I want to focus on the content first. O course if you need something urgently I'm happy to provide that service.

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

A: As a Producer/ Songwriter I fill a few various roles. Some misconceptions people have is that people are only allowed one role, the one you first saw from them. I love being varied in my work and I also try and help people expand outside their comfort zone.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: For mixing my most important requests are: Stems & References. But really what I want to know from clients is what they want, past this service what are we striving for? That's always going to play a role in our work.

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

A: Don't be afraid to be honest about what you want. Never be ashamed about what you're trying to achieve, never compromise but also be open to change for the better.

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

A: My Seagull acoustic simply for the comfort. For practicality: A laptop, UAD Apollo, a U47 & a large midi unit. Monitors & cables are provided by the Island locals right?

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

A: I've worked in Live Events & Studio Productions for 14 years. I graduated from a Music Performance Bachelors Degree & went on to write, performance & tour all over the world. I then became heavily investing in Front of House Live Sound & Studio Production.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Simple, emotive & honest. Songwriting with Alternative & Folk elements.

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

A: Andy Hulls lyrics & vocal style really inspires me, I'd to work alongside him and talk about his process for creating simple tracks with powerful emotions.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep things simple. DAWs give us the ability to take things as far as we want but don't forget simplicity is key.

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

A: Usually a cowrite will start from a Singer-songwriter vein but will quickly either continue down that path or branch off into Alternative, Electric Pop, Folk & Alt-Rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Cowriting & working off clients is where I thrive.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Each Writer/ Producer has their own voice that they bring to a session or a mix. My voice show's my love and passion for great songwriting and arrangements, enhancing emotions and character that was already there while also bringing clarity and a grounded sensibility.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Every service and client requires a different process. That's really the beauty of working with different people each week, experiencing how others work and working off them while encouraging them to continue down the path that'll help them help themselves.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work from a simple studio with Universal Audio Rack units, Neumann Microphones, multiple monitoring systems & a plethora of instruments I've acquired over the years. I really love adding the character from my Fender Starcaster to a track when the moment arises. I also have a deep admiration for Spitfire Audios sampling that helps bring quick 'realness' to parts.

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

A: Justin Vernon has always inspired me in both his emotive lyrics & vocals but also his clearly but simply designed arrangements. I also have a huge respect for Andy Hull, S. Carey, Sam Beam & Kim Janssen for being able to convey in very grounded ways true honesty.

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

A: Cowriting & Mixing are my strengths. I love bringing more depth and clarity to both the emotion & meaning of the music & lyrics as well as the Production & Arrangement itself.