Session drummer

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

A: Playing on Brandon Flowers first solo record ‘Flamingo’ I got to work with 2 amazing producers, Daniel Lanois, and Stuart Price. I played drums, and they also played on the record as well as produced.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am recording songs for a client Ben Eaton, doing tracks for producer Dan Healey and working on a project remotely with Belgian musicians, recording drum loops for Lift Music.

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

A: Oli Hayhurst bass player

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, I love analog because it’s rad, but digital makes certain things easier

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

A: To make you 100% happy!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to play great music all the time, and a variety of styles.

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

A: Can you send 2 versions, I’ll send 3

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

A: My time is very important to me, that I don’t sleep! I love what I do and I’m lucky to be able to record any time of day or night.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What sound are you looking for, what do you hear. Do you have any ideas for parts, a demo A reference is always good for drum sound.

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

A: Even though I have many years of experience, I put the client first always, don’t be afraid to ask for anything, whether it be parts or sounds! We learn from each other.

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

A: A pair of drumstick, pair of brushes, access to listen to music, my Amati drum set and a piano.

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

A: I started playing jazz young, and branched into more song based music. Lived in New `york for over 20 years and gained a lot of experience in studio from Electric lady, Avatar, Abbey Road, Rak, and Rockfield.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Multi genre, playing for the song.

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

A: Neil Young. The simplicity and openness of the songs would be incredible to come up with drum parts and feel.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don’t hit the cymbals too hard!

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

A: Singer Songwriter, pop, rock, indie jazz, experimental.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is getting the feel of the strong quickly getting inside the song and creating great drum parts.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 30 years of studio experience in many genres, touch feel sound and time. I believe I get inside the song and always play for the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I sit with the song listening to it many times, and along with any information from the client and come up with the best sound and parts that will make the song come alive and groove!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a studio beside my home, which is a converted garage, it’s a room within a room. fully functional drum room. I have a variety of drums to suit the sound/style genre. Many vintage kits and a large selection of snares. Also newer kits from Canopus drums who I endorse, and a wide selection of cymbals from Paiste who I endorse, and Vintage A’s and K’s and now a selection of Zyn cymbals.

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

A: Jay Bellrose, T Bone Burnett, Daniel Lanois, Aaron Sterling, Brian Eno, Dave Lynch, Sean Genocky, Steve Jordan, Steve Ferrone. Brian Blade.

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

A: Creating drum parts, recording a variety of styles and sounds of drums from very open sounds to tight 70’s style drums