Alt Pop/Dance Writer/Producer

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an acoustically treated studio. In there I have a full-scale piano. A Fender Stratocaster and Taylor Mini. A Neve preamp, which was taken out of a studio desk and modified into a rack console. A Manley Reference Mic for vocals and then a Macbook Pro, on which I run Logic Pro X. It’s a space I really love because it’s that place I can experiment and focus on an idea for hours on end without distraction. But it's also that place I can create a radio-ready sound, without any interference from the conception of the idea till the end result. Nothing beats that for me. It’s the key to my success.

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

A: That songs fall out of the sky. In some ways they do, but at that point, they really are just a tiny version of what they later become. The job of a writer is to enable the song to blossom. To steer it towards something kick-ass without squashing or diluting all of its original flavour that made it so compelling in the first place. It's truly hard and takes years to learn how to do it well every time.

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

A: Question: What would be the cost for recording vocals in a professional studio? Answer: $250 is the price for vocals in my home studio. $460.00 is the price for external studio recording. *recording vocals from my home studio delivers radio-ready quality* Questions: I am an artist looking for new songs. I have a theme and a reference track. Can you write me an entire song from scratch? Answer: Yes I can. A song is made up of three elements; lyrics, top-line melody, and the music (chords, rhythm). So, I combine all of these services for you when writing you a complete song. Question: If you sing on the track can I name you as a ‘Featured Artist’? Answer: If I feel the track we write together is a good fit then absolutely. But it is subject to discussion. Question: What royalty splits do you commonly ask for? Answer: Include this question in your invitation to me because it really depends on how much involvement I'll have in the writing of your song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. I never create carbon copies of tracks but I do like to have a reference track to work to so, I often ask a customer to select a song and ask them what it is about it they especially like. One track can speak differently to different people so it's important I understand what it is they're hearing. 2. I will generally ask what parts (if any) of your track are already done. Some customers come to me with nothing written yet. Some come to me with the music already written. Some also have the music as well as the top line written. Some customers want me to write from scratch.

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

A: I started out writing for myself as a Singer-Songwriter from an early age. At 18 I was accepted into LIPA - which is a Performing Arts institute in Liverpool, England set up by Paul McCartney. Shortly after graduating with a BA Honours Degree in Music, I was managed for about a year by CMO management - home to Blur, The Gorillaz and M.I.A. Feeling unready to sign a deal presented to me by Sony I left for New York and spent several years in the US. There and in San Francisco I enjoyed writing, recording and living. The US really introduced me to the DIY scene and I found that to fit my nature much more as an artist than the mainstream music Industry I had known back in London. I learned music production. Went on the road with my band - now members of Broken Bells and The Shins and developed more strings to my bow as a singer, writer, and music producer. I then moved back to London and started co-writing with Grammy-Winning songwriter/producers Jimmy Hogarth (Sia, Amy Winehouse, James Bay) and Samuel Dixon (Adele, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue) to develop work as a solo artist for two separate projects. One of which is signed to an Indie label in the US. In terms of ‘how long have I been doing this' I’ve been a professional singer and writer for 10 years and have been working with Logic for 15 years.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: In the writing stage, I used to be all about analog, always. I did that because I found the interference of tech cramped my creativity. I liked the simplicity that analogue brought. It was something tangible. I found, when writing from scratch, that it really helped. Keeping my options restricted helped me to dig deeper emotionally and write faster. Eventually, I realised it created too much bulk physically. Luckily, I was able to transfer the skills and ethos I’d developed in that phase and apply it to an entirely digital workspace.

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

A: My promise to my clients is all of my effort, skill, and dedication into making great work. I work very hard and take each job very seriously. It always pays off.

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

A: Be really clear about what you want when you send me a proposal. The more information you give the easier the process.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Changing passing thoughts into something powerful.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a spark to a song, infusing the piece with meaning, originality, and emotionality.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is to sketch out the arc of the song first. I’ll then compile a drum track from samples of kicks, hi hits etc. Often play additional drum parts in via midi to get the right groove. On top of the drum track, I’ll create the bass part. When these four elements are in place I’ll carve out the top line melody. The lyrics then follow. I’ll then shape and tweak these parts as I go. By way of this process, the track takes shape.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I just totally love the craft of songwriting. Starting from nothing and transporting feelings, ideas and experience into a finished piece. It's the absolute best!

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

A: Tobias Jesso Jr, FINNEAS, Fred again.. Andy Shauf, Loyle Carner, Phazz.

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

A: Simply for the ease of portability my Akai MPK mini, Zoom H5 - because that doubles up as an audio interface and microphone. My Macbook Pro. And if you consider paper and a pen as pieces of gear, they would be in my arsenal for sure.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as emotive, cool, and thoughtful.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Preparation is key. Get the tempo locked in, the range within which you'll be writing. Take the time to understand the reference given and what aspects of it will you be working to infuse into the customer's piece. Get this all out the way before the creativity begins. Then it's smooth sailing till the finish line.

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

A: I'd love to do vocals for Fred again.. and Diplo. I love their production and arrangements. Write lyrics for SZA, because of what she does with melody. And get the chance to pick the brains of Disclosure and SAINt JHN for production tips.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on a track for an artist who is inspired by UK artist Lily Allen.

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

A: I was hired to be the lyricist for one song. Based on the material I created I was then immediately rehired to sing the lead vocal, became the music writer, and then pitched to for a potential album of songs in the same style. It was the perfect outcome.

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

A: Fabian F, Marc T, Christophe Jacquelin

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

A: Typically I write music, lyrics, top-line melodies, and sing lead vocals. Sometimes I'm asked to do all of these together for a project. Other times, I'm hired to do each one separately. I enjoy the writing process whether it’s all me from the get-go - or a collaboration.

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

A: I would say Pop as a central genre but that can span in many directions.