Songwriter/Singer/Guitarist.

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

A: I wrote a song called "Friends R Family" with an artist called Michael Patrick Kelly who is very successful in Germany. It's become a staple of his live show and has been on two live albums of his as well as his platinum selling album "ID" - I've been able to see him performing it live in arenas and it's amazing to see big crowds singing along with every word.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am about to start work on a production music album in the style of 70's and early 80's classic rock, having just finished one in the style of early 80's sophisticated pop/rock like Hall & Oats. I've also been in lots of writing sessions in the style of country/dance music which is back in demand since the last Beyonce album "Cowboy Carter"

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

A: Freddie Dickson is a brilliant songwriter and vocalist, I'd recommend him.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both are essential so it's hard to choose one or the other. However there is something about a hands on user interface, a real amp or effects pedal Vs a digital simulation for example that can be really inspiring when it comes to finding a great sound that helps you write a guitar part that really lifts a song. So if I had to choose, a studio full of amazing analog gear would inspire and excite me way more than working exclusively in the box, digitally.

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

A: To always hold myself and what I provide to a very high standard and to work to exceed the clients expectations. And to try to make the process fun!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I'm a lifelong music junkie so it's such a blessing to be able to work in music full time. I love the variety of having my own artist projects as well as writing with and for others, it never gets boring and the interpersonal dynamics are always different from session to session. It's such a people based industry and people are fascinating.

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

A: As above!

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

A: People often ask where I get my inspiration from. I think that it's really about showing up to work, every day regardless of how you feel. So the rule of 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration definitely applies to having any success as a songwriter.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I'd want to get a sense of their expectations and what a really successful outcome looks like to them. I'd ask for references of songs that have sounds and performances that they love. When it comes to writing, I'd try to find out how much or how little input they want from me, in other words are they up for me being heavily involved or do they just want someone to guide them through the process?

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

A: Have a clear idea of what it is that you are looking for, while being flexible and open to ideas shifting and evolving throughout the process. A good provider should set the bar really high in terms of quality across the board while aiming to make the process fun and lighthearted so have a chat with anyone you might hire before committing to working together to see if the vibe feels good.

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

A: Assuming there's electricity...Laptop with Logic Pro X, UAD Apollo twin audio interface, Sure SM7B mic, my vintage Guild acoustic guitar and my custom H/S/H Stratocaster with splittable hum buckers for versatility.

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

A: I spent my 20's in London playing in bands and gaining experience as a musician as well as getting to know about the music industry. I got the chance to go professional as a writer for others when I was offered a publishing deal by EMI in 2005 after co-writing several songs on the major label debut album by a band called Rooster, one of these was their first single "Come Get Some" which was a top ten hit in the UK and reached number one in Japan. Getting to be a full time songwriter was a dream come true and I've been able to continue since then with follow up publishing deals with BMG Rights Management and after a move to Berlin in 2015, with Peermusic Germany. Alongside songwriting and recording for my own artist projects I've done a lot of teaching and mentoring which has been really fun and rewarding.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I've been told I am a great collaborator and team player. I've been focussed on writing songs that have commercial potential for a long time, so I like to consider how a song could connect with people while also keeping artistic integrity in focus. I love guitars so am usually involved in genres where they show up.

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

A: I'd love to write work with Miley Cyrus. "Endless Summer Vacation" is a brilliant record and her blend of traditional songwriting and storytelling with modern production is really exciting to me.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't hold back with backing vocals! record lots and lots, you don't have to use everything in the end put spend time exploring and recording various different options. Backing vocals can add width and depth sonically and to signpost choruses so that the listener really feels it when you want the song to have an emotional peak moment. Most people connect with voices over everything else, so more vocals is usually going to help with that.

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

A: Somewhere between pop, singer songwriter and rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'd say coming up with and arranging guitar parts is a strength of mine. I've been playing for over 30 years so am a pretty well rounded player by now. As a songwriter I'm strong lyricist and love coming up with concepts that tell a familiar or universal story in a fresh way.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Years of experience of being in songwriting sessions as a pro writer. I've learned that you have to strive to make every song as good as it can possibly be, being willing to re-write when your instinct tells you a section of a song is good but not quite good enough. Also, making the process fun and lighthearted as much as possible often leads to a better song, at the end of the day. I love it when you achieve a blend of freshness and originality with something that feels universal and familiar somehow. I've been in sessions with some of the best in the industry, people like Ed Sheeran, Chris Braide, Liz Rose and Jez Ashurst as well as with artists who have sold millions of records and play to tens of thousands of fans each night like Michael Patrick Kelly. Each time it's been an amazing learning experience with great lessons to carry forward into the next session.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It depends on what's required but if it's a songwriting session, the most important thing initially is to connect with the artist/client and figure out what it is that they are going for. For a songwriting session it's important to make people feel like it's a safe space, that everybody can throw ideas out there without being judged. I like to bring a guitar, melody or lyric idea to the session to help break the ice, often it doesn't end up in the final song but it helps to get the ball rolling. I generally like to keep Zoom writing sessions to a maximum of 4 hours at a time, and to do a combination of time together on the call and also defining a task like writing a chorus and working separately, with a time limit. For a guitar or vocal session, I'd spend some time getting a clear idea of what the client wants and talk about references for style and sounds. I'd send examples over and get the go ahead that I'm on the right track before going ahead and recording "keeper" takes and would involve the client throughout to make sure they feel they are going to end with something that they are really happy with.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm lucky in that my workspace is really light with a great view outside. I work mostly from my own home studio, as well as in the studios of a range of collaborators in Berlin. In my own space I use Logic Pro X and have a range of virtual guitar amps that work great for quickly finding inspiring sounds as well as using real lower wattage amps. I have done a lot of remote songwriting on Zoom, especially since 2020 so am very comfortable working online. I have a Neumann TLM 103 that works great for vocals as well as acoustic guitar, and a Sure SM57 for micing up amps. There are also lots of guitars and pedals to choose from.

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

A: Right now I'm really enjoying "Guts" the most recent album from Olivia Rodrigo, she and her producer Dan Nigro are doing brilliant work together and it's great to hear so much guitar on a record from a current A list pop artist. I also love the work that Gracie Abrams and Aaron Dessner did together on the album Good Riddance. I think there is so much brilliant work being done in the pop field these days, Holly Humberstone is another great example. She and her producer Rob Milton are an amazing team. Aside from more recent stuff like that, I have a huge affection for the golden era of classic rock, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard and the like will always have a place in my heart.

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

A: Songwriting, either coming in to help finish or improve a song or to write something completely new, from the ground up. Also writing and recording guitar parts, both acoustic and electric and playing bass guitar. I can write a top line over an existing track and record lead and backing vocals for it or provide vocal recordings for existing songs.