Singer/Songwriter

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

A: Go check out 'Love Letters to Myself' by Samantha Felipe. I helped her develop these songs from the ground up and we brought in some really talented musicians. Very special art I had a great time helping to create.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have some new songs in the works for my band, birdshield, and am working on some meditative pieces with Anna Cantwell.

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

A: Boomfox Productions is a great songwriter/producer and I've taken a few of her courses. Very talented and down to earth!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, although I have a lot of respect for analog. I have always worked "in the box" and I'm very happy with the results.

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

A: My promise to my clients is to give them my absolute ALL. I dive deep into their song and clear communication is a MUST!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to connect with clients on a deep level and creating something really beautiful and new together.

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

A: A lot of times I'm asked if the client "has what it takes" or if they're "doing it right", and my answer is always YES! showing up is the biggest step. Having faith in your song is the most important part.

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

A: A lot of what I do is not so much about forcefully applying knowledge as it is about actually getting out of my own way. It's important to let my spirit do most of the speaking and to have fun with it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I love getting to know the client as much as possible before we begin. It's important to know what the song means to them and what they want to accomplish with it.

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

A: Find someone who fits your sort of vibe. It's important to click in any collaboration. You have to feel safe to be vulnerable. That's how the best stuff comes out!

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

A: My acoustic guitar, Solar-powered battery pack, Laptop, Microphone, and Keyboard.

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

A: I have been playing in bands most of my life, for the last 18 years. I had always recorded myself as a means of necessity (for demos, etc), and in the recent

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style could be described as heart-forward. I'm really all about making sure that the emotion of the song comes through.

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

A: It would be my dream to work with Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, Tom Delonge from Blink 182, or of course, Sir Paul McCartney. They have such unique visions and seem very down to earth.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: In the early stages, it's all about getting the feel right. Keep the ideas flowing in the beginning and don't get too caught up on small details until later.

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

A: I usually work on indie-rock or indie-pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is in building the song's foundation. I love the arrangement part so much. I love finding the right chords and melodies to really express an idea fully. Also, I'm a sucker for great lyrics.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring almost 2 decades of songwriting experience as well as a solid amount of production ability. I have been in successful bands and I know a great song when I hear it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually, we start with a voice memo & a pad of paper. I jam along with the acoustic to get the feel and make any adjustments necessary, and then I take it to the computer. Some projects require other musicians, in which case I reach out to my most trusted collaborators.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a great home studio setup consisting of an iMac, Universal Audio Apollo Twin, and an SM7B mic. I also have a great sounding Taylor acoustic, a beautiful hollow-body Ibanez electric, a Reverend bass guitar, and an Alesis 49 key midi keyboard with 8 drum pads.

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

A: I'm very inspired by musicians like Tame Impala, The Avett Brothers, and Jack's Mannequin. Some of my favorite producers are Butch Walker and of course Rick Ruben.

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

A: I help my clients fully realize their visions. Usually, they come to me with some lyrics or a little melody they've been humming, and we develop it together.