Music Producer / Songwriter

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

A: First item of interest is always price. Here my fees are listed already and I'm open to negotiation for larger projects. Then they normally ask about time. "How long can they expect results". If I had a song already in mind and knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it I could give results in a day or two, a week at the most. This brings us to an important question, which is "can we meet in person?". I have a tight schedule so this is sometimes difficult, but communication to me is Key. If we cannot meet in person I will text you, email you, set up video meetings, and always ask you how you're liking the results.

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

A: I'm a big fan of rock bands that have infiltrated into pop, and I also love some old school feels. I guess my ideal job would be to write songs with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and produce them with Mike Shinoda and/or the guys from Bring Me The Horizon. But if I had to pick just one I would probably lean towards the latter, because BMTH's sound is one that I would love to be able to emulate.

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

A: I wrote a song for a friend's short film called Christmas Lights - from Romano Production. It became my favorite song that I've composed and it scored the film beautifully. On top of that, it was nominated for the RIMA Awards as Best Original Soundtrack. That really touched me and I will cherish that as my first real musical success

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Over 30 songs of mine need work done so they can be officially launched. I'm the meantime I'm happy to help fellow musicians with their own productions.

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

A: Sadly, no. I don't really know anyone on the platform. But I would say "give us all a chance". Everyone has a different "voice" and "touch" regardless of how good we are.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Can't they both just get along? Give me a raw beautiful analog sound that can be easily manipulated digitally.

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

A: I WILL AIM for everything you want. It might be challenging, but to fulfill your vision is my only goal.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It's fulfilling to see your vision coming to shape and earning a purpose. It can also be very peaceful and cathartic, because that's what music is. And finally, it's challenging and most of the times humbling, because you're only as good as the way you use your tools.

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

A: That dissonance is bad. That this and that thing should never mix. That music has Rules. It doesn't. What it has its guidelines and context, and that's what we use to create the proper message.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1) What do they need music for? 2) Do they want a Loop or an Evolving piece? 3) Do they want a simple piece or a complex one? 4) What feeling so they want to express?

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

A: Don't be embarrassed, I'm a friend too. I will work for you, but we are partners, so I'll do my best to honor your wishes despite any criticism.

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

A: My Les Paul, a random amp, my Donner Greenland or Sweet Juice, the Valeton Dapper MDR and the Valeton Dapper Indie. There I have even more than I need.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I could talk about this for days. I'm in love of my affordable pedalboard filled with Donner pedals and a Valeton Dapper MDR, my main amp sounds come from the Greenland and Sweet Juice pedals. I play an Epiphone Nightfall, a Sterling SUB, a Yamaha acoustic guitar, and a Squire Jazz Bass. All recorded through a Behringer UM2 interface into Reaper. There I use several free plugins for MIDI, including Spitfire Labs, Native Kontakt and Guitar Rig, and Sample Science SQ8ROM.

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

A: Music has always been my path. I have never used it as a career before because of society's push, but it's in my blood, in my soul, and in my history.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Aggressive. Festive. Expressive. Sometimes even Orchestral.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more. When it comes to guitar production less gain is always better, and the same applies to EQ, harmonies, and volume. If something sounds distorted, you must decrease frequencies, play different melodies, and experiment to fill in sonic gaps while avoiding any unnecessary glitches or mud.

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

A: My most recent independent jobs have been acoustic/piano Instrumentals, but mostly I assist in Rock-based music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Thinking outside of the box. I base myself on current trends and formulas, but in no way am I inclined to use them with the same variables. Any work that comes out of my heart must have something that that distinguishes it from all others.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Originality, experimentation, and playfulness. I will play around with my music by changing song structures, mixing styles, and trying to evoke my clients feelings.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 1) Determine what feeling the client's song needs to express. 2) Focus on a general genre the client wants, and if the song must be simple or progressive. And 3) Go over various chord progressions, sounds, and rhythms personally with the client until the song hits the right spot.

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

A: My taste is really varied. My general sound is inspired by current trends, but I drift towards ambient pop, 80's synths, and loud guitars. I am also a big fan of classic Latin music like Trova and Bossa Nova.

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

A: I mostly produce Instrumentals. My clients have used my productions as Original Sound Tracks for short films and personal use.