Session Vocals | Top Lining

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently writing my first studio album in collaboration with some seriously awesome musicians! Stay tuned!

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

A: ED Vocal Productions! Their vocal/harmony arranging is so tasty. Jaime Muscat is an astounding guitarist. Mike Iurincic is also the man for all your male vocalist/guitarist/songwriting/top-lining needs!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Analog for the feel. Digital for the effects.

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

A: I promise to give you a high-quality product!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Someone could write an original song based off of their own experiences and ask me to sing it for them. I learn it back to front, sing it and project my own experiences onto something that was born in them. The result is a unique piece of art that is a combination of our journeys. This collaboration process is the best thing about any work that I do.

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

A: I am most commonly asked for samples of what I have done in the past. I have a large catalog of samples that I am able to share with them.

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

A: The biggest misconception people have is that I only do a certain style of music. I have a wide range of experience in Pop, R&B/Soul, Funk, Rock, Indie/Alternative, Features for Rap or Metal Records, Singer-Songwriter styles, and even Christian/Gospel music!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the service you need? What is your turn around time needed? What is your budget?

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

A: Let your imagination take the reigns! Be specific about what you want but don't be afraid to ask for suggestions on what can bring the best results.

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

A: My Mac, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Genelec 8030B's, AKG C314 Mic, Korg Kronos Workstation.

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

A: I have been a session vocalist since I was in my early teens. I began studying voice privately at age 12, and at 23 I had a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. I began working as a vocal coach, managing a roster upwards of 20 students. At 22, I became a vocalist for one of Toronto's up-and-coming party bands, The Crossroads. Today, I make my living solely as a vocal instructor, live performer and session vocalist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: The music I create tends to be vibrant, brooding, passionate and emotional -- while somehow still maintaining a pop/r&b/funk inspired groove that is pleasing to listeners of all musical backgrounds.

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

A: I would love to work with Tove Lo, Ed Sheeran, or Tori Kelly. I appreciate their honesty when writing lyrics and all three are known for their infectious hooks!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep it simple.

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

A: I am usually enlisted to work on Pop, Indie/Folk, EDM, and Pop-Rock songs. However, I am very passionate about R&B/Funk/Gospel music and it's in these genres that I've had the most experience and success. I'm very interested in working with Rappers and featuring on many different artists records!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is that I'm not just a singer - I'm a well-rounded, learned musician. I read and write music, I hear harmonies naturally, I play piano, guitar and percussion. This gives me the vocabulary to communicate efficiently with instrumentalists and producers and promptly apply their/your directives.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring to each song an understanding of how listeners hear music: from the top down. People hear a voice first and are inclined to receive the lyrical message. As a singer/songwriter, I put all my emotions into your lyrics so your story is not only understood but felt. My favorite part is arranging impactful background vocals that give impact, framing the phrases that matter most!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I will make sure that the song is in a singable key. It is not uncommon for male songwriters to place the song too high or too low for the female voice. When this is the case, I will record a quick demo of me singing in the "impossible" key and then I will make a suggestion for a new key and record a quick demo of that, too. Once we decide on key placement, I will learn you melody exactly as you present it to me, then I will also cut a track with some of my own melodic ideas. You can use the parts you like or none at all. Next, I stack vocal harmonies around the melody as directed. If I feel strongly that a particular lyric must stand out or that harmonies would sound good in another place, I will record this part for your review, too. Again, you can use my idea or scrap it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record on Logic Pro X, and swear by my AKG C314 to get the cleanest vocal sound I've yet to find!

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

A: Pop songwriters inspire me the most. I think it takes tremendous skill to write something simple, memorable, with a clear message and mass appeal.

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

A: The most common type of work I do is songwriting (top line = lyrics + melody), vocal production, and vocal mixing. I also do tracking for Bass, Guitar, and Piano!