I like words, music, & sound

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

A: I listen to and am inspired by artists across many genres and decades. I love The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Radiohead, Phoebe Bridgers, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Olivia Rodrigo, Big Thief, Tom Petty, Tears for Fears, U2, Silk Sonic, Wilco, Jenny Lewis, David Bowie, King Princess, The Weeknd, Aretha Franklin, The Smiths, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, & The Everly Brothers. I love the modern pop production work of Dan Nigro, Ryan Tedder, Finneas, Jack Antonoff, etc.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A couple of projects with LA-based producer/bassist Stu Brooks, producing an EP for a new band from California, co-writes, etc.

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

A: Drew Tyler, Denny White, and Silke are all really great singers.

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

A: My acoustic guitar, my Apollo Twin, a laptop, an SM-7, and a capo.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'm a classicist. I write big, memorable melodies that feel great to sing. I've got a knack for placing the ONE surprising chord that makes the progression stand out. I love structure and form, I write great bridges - I understand the melodic math of a song. I know the right sounds and parts for the song and how to arrange them effectively.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I think both are fantastic options. I've had the pleasure of working on analog tape in expensive studios, but it's not practical for most people. We're fortunate to live in a time where high quality digital technology is now accessible to many people and the ability to work quickly and less expensively makes it a no-brainer.

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

A: That I will do my very best to deliver a song/project that you're completely satisfied with.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I have the extraordinary privilege of working creatively all the time.

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

A: Were you born with it? Nah, it's Maybeline.

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

A: I think a lot of folks think songwriting is some kind of sorcery. It's really all about craft. There's plenty of inspiration involved, and the results can feel magical at times, but the art of songwriting (and producing to an extent) is about communicating well with your subconscious and wringing the best ideas to the surface.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have a firm deadline? What are some songs/records that have a similar vibe? Do you have a vision for what the song needs to be? Do you need me to conceptualize and execute a vision on my own?

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

A: Know what you're looking for before you start searching. If you're working within a budget, and can't afford the most expensive folks, make sure whoever you hire understands your project, and is actually capable of delivering what it is you need.

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

A: I spent a decade fronting bands in NY. We were signed to an indie label out of LA and a subsidiary of a major in Japan. I got pretty burned out and left the industry for a while. Over the last few years I've been honing my writing and production skills, learning different ways to approach songs, and am now working full time as a writer and producer.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I tend towards maximalism - but I appreciate minimalism. Finding the sweet spot between the two is where I thrive.

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

A: Taylor Swift - she's an incredible writer and seems to have an endless stream of great ideas.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Strike a balance between repeating vocal and instrumental hooks with new sonic information to keep your listeners engaged.

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

A: Indie pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Writing that memorable melody that makes the song pop.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It really depends on the project. If it's a writing project - I start by listening to the client's track and get a feel for the vibe and feel. If I'm just writing top-line, I'll record a bunch of gibberish until I come up with a melody (or melodies) that really work. If I'm writing and producing, I typically search for a vibe first. I'm looking for inspiration from a synth sound, or a chord progression, and then I begin building the track and song from there.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's a pretty humble setup here at The Lower Respiratory System. I work in Logic Pro X and Luna on my 2020 iMac. I use an Apollo Twin as my interface and do everything in the box. I monitor through a pair of Kali Audio LP-6's.

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

A: Top lining, lyric writing, production, mixing, arranging