Songwriter/Producer/Engineer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I personally believe in using what ever tools are available that best fit the task. For me, that often involves digital means of production but some analog or acoustic sounds just can't be replicated on a computer.

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

A: I think a lot of people just don't realize how many different fields the term "producer" encompasses. On any given project I could be writing lyrics or a topline, composing a chord progession, programming drums and curating samples, performing on guitar, bass or keys, singing a demo vocal, putting together a mix and mastering.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals with this project? What are some musicians or songs that inspire you?

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

A: Please compile 3 to 5 references that you feel have a similar sound to what you have in mind for your project and have a rough idea of what you like about each reference.

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

A: I'd take some sort of machine that filters ocean water, a pocket knife, a sleeping bag, a hat and an acoustic guitar! :)

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

A: I mostly taught music after graduating from college in 2015 but, after I started freelancing for production and engineering on Upwork, I decided to quit teaching in May of 2020 and have been producing full-time since then. My long term goal is to develop relationships with more clients and other producers while expanding my portfolio.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Different! I love playing with the listener's sense of expectation and using that as a tool to build tension and release. I strive to find that balance between making something that's both catchy and fresh.

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

A: I love working with artists that are just as passionate about music as me! That could be a beginner or a seasoned vet, really.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more! I think it's really important that every element of a song has it's own space within a track. You can space these elements out by pitch, frequency range, volume, depth- all of these aspects should be considered when you're producing.

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

A: My personal work uses elements of Pop, Rap and Experimental music but I could be working on a Dance record, a Country tune, or an RnB ballad depending on any given day depending on the client.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Time management. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from my clients and they are almost always impressed with how quickly and efficiently I complete a project. I usually finish working well before the client's proposed deadline, often completing projects within a week!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to think outside the box and think from a listener's perspective. Where some producers and songwriters might be very objective and formulaic, I prefer to explore and experiment with different sounds, textures and ideas, trying to take the song to the next level.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to take time to get to know a client and their needs at the onset of a project. After that, I'll usually ask for references to give me an even better idea of what the client has in mind for the project. Next, depending on the project, I'll put together a demo to give the client a sense of where I can take their song and then we continue working from there.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record through an Apollo Twin into Ableton Live 11 and monitor using KRK Rokit 5s. I mostly produce in-the-box utilizing all of Live's amazing plugins, as well as software from Izotope, Soundtoys and Celemony.

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

A: I could talk influences all day to be honest! Right now, I'm really inspired by the production on Arianna Grande's new album as well as that contemporary Atlanta trap sound and Sophie's futuristic pop compositions.

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

A: I would say a big chunk of the jobs I've recently completed involved songwriting and production, taking raw demos, lyrics or song ideas and using references to build a track from the ground up. I also do a lot of audio engineering and have mixed and mastered a number of tracks including some of the songs that I have wrote or recorded.