Music Producer

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Since March 2020, I have been working in a small professional studio I built from scratch in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. It has a pair of Yamaha HS8 Monitors, Ableton Push that I use in conjunction with Live, an Apollo Twin Duo, and various hardware synths, sequencers, and mixers including an Elektron Octatrack, Digitakt, Teenage Engineering OP-1, and my latest obsession - an Intellijel Eurorack case full of amazing little modules that are opening up a whole new sonic world and workflow.

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

A: Growing up I always looked to Bjork for inspiration, she seemed like she was always doing her own thing but in the most sophisticated and mind blowing ways possible. Everything she touched seemed like her unique vision, and not under the influence of her fans, competition, or industry. I continue to be inspired by the fact that she doesn't really sit within any particular genre. From my perspective, she's carved out her own space and made an extraordinary career out of being completely herself as an artist.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I like to mix as I go. Doing so has greatly improve the quality of my music, and has also led to a more efficient and effective workflow. I tend to finish more projects this way because they sound better and much more intentional from the beginning. I also like to save mixing presets and effects like EQ's, compressors, side chain setups, etc. so that I can streamline my workflow even more as I go.

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

A: I usually work on electronic music specifically inspired by the underground club scene. I grew up influenced heavily by video game soundtracks and some new age my parents used to listen to when I was younger - I think that's where the emotional component of my music comes from. I like to be challenged by genres that might be slightly out of my comfort zone, but still remain within the world of electronically produced music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a sense of curiosity, experimentalism, rhythmic exploration, moodiness when it's called for, and a professional goal-oriented attitude to each work I am involved in. I don't want to feel like my work is just work for work's sake. I want to feel like I'm contributing to something that is bigger than myself or the client. I want to be moved by my music just as much as I want other people to be.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to start with sound design and crafting the perfect tone, timbre, and melody in conjunction. Lately I've been moving away from the computer into hardware, so I'm developing a more experimental workflow. But the sound sculpting as the initial step remains the same, whether i'm dealing with hardware or software. It is important to have uniquely crafted sounds and textures from the get go in order to have a personal relationship with each project. There is a phase after I build out a section of a song and sit with it for a moment. I will usually take a step back and evaluate - is the music resonating with me? Where can this go? Am I captivated or inspired by what I have created? If the answer is yes, then the last phase is where the analytical and detail oriented work comes into play. Flushing out the arrangement, refining the space and timing, adding moments of suspense, tension, release, silence, and ambiance. This can feel like operating a different part of the brain, but is just as important as the initial inspiration.

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

A: I have been on and off producing my entire life, and seriously producing over the last 5 years. After acquiring a bachelors of fine arts in music technology from the University of Michigan, I made the decision to switch my career interest to fashion design since I thought it would be a more realistic way of making a living. Thus, I have spent most of my professional career in the fashion industry as a designer for various high end contemporary labels, but am now looking to shift my focus back to music - as this is what I am most passionate about.

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

A: I think the biggest misconception about producing electronic music is that it might not be a 'real' job. But I think this kind of thought is changing, especially with platforms like this. I feel more fulfilled and connected with the world around me through my work in music production. How much better would the world be if we could all do what we love and make a living off of it?

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who are you inspired by musically? What are you inspired by visually? What mood are you trying to capture? How do want to feel when you are listening to the finished product?

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

A: I think it's important to have a connection with whoever you are looking to work with. It's also important to have an open mind for both the client and the provider. With both, I think pleasant unexpected surprises that surpass initial expectations are more likely to occur.

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

A: My laptop with Ableton Live, Ableton Push, Apollo Twin, my aiaiai headphones, and a pair of monitors to have a party on the island.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Experimental, approachable, rhythmic, textured, and inspired by visions of nature and technology. I like mixing beats with more emotional components, like watery melodies, deep textures, and evolving soundscapes. I want to create something that is simultaneously warm and familiar, but also takes the listener into new uncharted territory.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just finished a second round of custom drum racks and beats for Splice. I am currently working on a remix for HTS (a Paris based electronic music label), as well as a new personal modular synthesis based project. I also have a monthly spot djing remotely for The Lot Radio in Brooklyn, NY.

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

A: With regards to your ideas, projects, and requests, I promise that I will share your level motivation and enthusiasm, and that you in turn will be inspired by the work.

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

A: Kala BTZ is a great producer. I remember first meeting him a show he was playing in Brooklyn and being very inspired by his mix and knowledge of bass oriented music. He is very passionate and it shows through his work.

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

A: I very proud of a recent mix I made for the amazing New York based Papi Juice - an art collective that aims to affirm and celebrate the lives the of queer and trans people of color. I put together a mix mostly of my own production. This combined so many of my interests - dance music, production, remixing, edits, and club culture. The mix also showcased my interest in working with vocals, which were a major component throughout the mix. And all for a great platform that I personally relate with.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because I am less likely to imitate and more likely to be intentionally experimental. This does not mean I am opposed to analog, quite the contrary. I think there's always a certain warmth that comes with analog that I love. So I guess a bit of both if I could have my way.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that this has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember. Creating a career out of composing and producing music is very fulfilling because it feels like I am not only in control of what I do, but that I am providing something valuable to the world.

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

A: My customers sometimes ask who I am trying to sound like. I will often give a reference, but lately I'm trying to sound more like myself. This takes a certain amount of trust in myself. But at the end of the day, that is what my customers are looking for. Someone that trusts themself enough to make something beyond imitation, something that is next level.

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

A: Bjork, M.I.A., Diplo, Brandy, Dre Skull, Ikonika, Girl Unit, Bok Bok, Nguzunguzu, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Julee Cruise, Four Tet, Massive Attack, Tricky, Steve Reich

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

A: Production, beat making, remixes, sample packs, djing and small scoring/soundtracking projects.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to self start. I don't wait for anyone to tell me when, where, or how. I find ways of doing things myself very fast. Once the pandemic hit, although devastating in many regards, I took the opportunity to find and create my own studio that I now work in every day. I am now learning modular synthesis all on my own, and am learning more than I ever did in school. I have connected and collaborated with artists from around the world that I admire and respect, and am proud of the fact that I initiated what I needed to in order to make those connections happen.