Producer/Composer/Saxophonist

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

A: One of my favorite collaborations is with a good friend named Jonah McLean aka "DUX". As an electronic music producer he creates what he calls Alien Funk music. I've been fortunate to co-write, play sax & keys, and co-produce a handful of songs that he's put out in the last few years. I worked on the EP Remote Controlled Hobbie, Sarita, Golden, and Leave me Behind.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a series of singles that I'm going to release as a collaborations with singers and emcees. A few are almost done!

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

A: Sam Brawner, Nick Klingenberg, Brandon Davis. More recs to come!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It depends on the gear. Analog synths, compressors, and pre amps are king but a great song can be mixed with digital sounds and plugins too. Overall though, I enjoy the warmth and texture of a real Moog One versus the Arturia Moog. It's generally more balanced and gives the listener a more organic sense of space in a song.

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

A: My promise is to always deliver a multitude of ideas and options for clients. I never want a client to feel like they got the short end of the stick. The number of revisions are always flexible because I want the best possible product no matter what.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I just love creating so much. The process of building an original vibe to me feels special and sacred in many ways especially if the artist trusts your process. The clout and awards are the last thing I care about. It's the newfound relationship in the end that matters most.

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

A: Q: What's the right chord this section? A: The right chord may just may the right voicing. Finding common tones with the melody is helpful. Also making sure that the chord sits in a range that doesn't compete with the vocal or lead is crucial too. Q: What's the right sound for this section? A: The right sound is the one that either supports the vocal/lead or turns the listener's head because it's so damn awesome. Sometimes you shouldn't really hear the sound fully for it to have the best effect and sometimes it should be screaming at you.

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

A: That I'm only a saxophone player based on my previous history of playing lots of jazz haha. I do a lot more writing and production nowadays.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's your time frame? What genre do you lean into? What are some song references? Mix references? What kind of sound makes you feel most at home? What do you want the world to feel when they hear your song?

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

A: I'd look up my original music under "Kosie" and check out my website to get a more accurate read on who I am and what I bring to the table.

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

A: Cajon, Sax, Flute, Zoom Recorder, Acoustic Guitar,

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

A: I've been professionally playing saxophone for 15 years and I've been writing and producing for about 7 years. I started by playing in jazz jam sessions, moved into funk jam band festivals, and then some more mainstream R&B and soul music in LA.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Funky yet smooth.

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

A: I'd love to work with SZA and Lucky Daye at some point. They both have such distinct sounds and their music is already very inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The song must always have an arc! More dynamics, original transitions (i.e. not the same stock splice filter sweep), and crafty additions or subtractions to each section give exciting momentum to make the song feel like a story.

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

A: R&B, Soul, Funk, Electronic, and Jazz.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Ripping sax and arranging tasty parts to a song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a funky vibe and an original take on song formats. Lush tones and tight parts always.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I tend to listen to a song or demo several times to get into the spirt of the song. I then sit at the piano to workshop chords, melodies, or parts for a song before jumping into recording or sound design.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an Selmer Mark VI alto saxohone, Yamaha Custom Z tenor saxophone, yamaha 62 soprano sax, selmer Flute, Buffet R11 Clarinet, Fender Jazz Bass, Prophet, 8, JP 8000, Moog Fatty, Korg SV-1, Telefunken TF-29 Copperhead Tube Condenser, AKG 414 condenser, AKG 420 perception condenser, SM 58, SM 57, Apogee Quartet, Logic X, Wavs, Soundtoys, Goodhertz, Izotope, Arturia, and Keyscape.

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

A: Producers that inspire me are Kiefer, MXXWLL, Callum Connor, Pomo, D Mile, Timbaland, Tame Impala, J Most, and Rafael Saadiq.

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

A: Saxophone recording, keys/synth recording, writing, and music production.