Solo Vocalist & Pianist

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I am a purist (as much as possible) when it comes to recording (eg you can hear this on my sample tracks which were performed in a large church with single large condenser mic and various mics on an open lid grand piano). There is very little VST work or plugin application and absolutely no vocal editing. On the flip I also embrace the Digital world where suited, outside of the live event performing environment. I will however always prefer true instrument work to that of midi where possible.

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

A: There is no better feeling than 'delighting' your Customers no matter how cliché that might sound. I get so much job satisfaction when someone has come to me with a need and then walk away smiling with the result. Beats any amount of money that might be involved in the collaboration.

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

A: A lot comes down to style, tonality of the voice and how the sample music makes you feel. If you like the samples you hear from my profile, again by trusting your ears, then you have hopefully already made the first step in your selection.

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

A: No brainer - again Josh Groban. If I had been fortunate enough to be as successful as Josh then the music he produces would be exactly the style that I would have liked to share with the world!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Ability to pick up straight away a theme, cover song chord structure / melody or style through playing piano by ear. Ability to introduce harmonies for backing vocals or just as a parallel feed alongside the top line.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Pop and Rock ballad focused but with a classical crossover style.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't over engineer. Trust your instincts! Aim to keep it as pure and real as possible.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Passion and ears!! I believe the ears produce a better overall outcome than the eyes! Whilst I have top grade ABRSM certificates for Piano and Vocals and therefore can read music I prefer to perform mostly off script and by ear if capturing a cover song.

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

A: Inspiring musicians for me is an easy one. Josh Groban is an artist that I have followed for years. His material, and it has been quite varied, just strikes a chord with me every time.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I invest mainly in Presonus equipment and am a member of the Sphere community. Studio One Pro v5 is my go to DAW these days, after having spent time with Cubase VST and Cakewalk more recently. Eris 5 monitors are coming as a new refreshed edition as well. I deviate from Presonus when it comes to capturing vocals. These are delivered through the well respected Rode NT1A condenser microphone. From a piano perspective I still use my trusty Fatar Studiologic SL-880 controller which has served me well through all number of different live gigging environments over the last 23 years, especially when there is no grand piano already in situ.