Americana / Roots Drummer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m currently working on a few different albums and projects all under the "americana" umbrella, ranging from dry 70s vibes to more traditional country and bluegrass, which is all really fun to get into.

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

A: I promise to communicate often and foster a creative atmosphere between myself and the artist, helping to elevate the music to exceed expectations– always serving the song above anything else.

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

A: Dive in with confidence! It can be strange reaching out to a stranger to help in creating your art, but remote session musicians are here for you first and foremost, and we LOVE what we do. Your songs and ideas are exciting to hear, regardless of how experienced you are in any aspect of this process, and I'm always eager to help an artist realize their project to the best of our combined abilities. Part of our job is to create parts from what the client vocalizes and explains to us, so if you're not the most experienced musician, or can't write music or charts, that's ok! Reach out and we'll work together.

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

A: I have been doing a lot of Americana, Rock, and Indie Pop tracks lately, which I'm really enjoying.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a true desire to create the perfect drum part and bring energy to the track, without anything getting in the way of the creative process between songwriter and session musician. I am here to help make the client’s song or album the best it can be for them, and I strive to go above and beyond their expectations.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of my own custom, acoustically tuned, studio in East Nashville, TN. I have 16 channels of high-end hardware preamps, EQs, and compressors, and use an array of amazing mics. It's definitely my happy place, where I am constantly inspired and love spending each day.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I record through hardware preamps, and run several inputs through outboard EQs and compressors as well, but fine tuning with graphic EQs and additional plugins in-the-box is also highly valuable. The combination of hardware and the agility and infinite options available with plugins and other digital options can be so powerful. The creativity is endless when using both approaches in a hybrid manner.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love being involved in the process– Contributing to someone realizing their music from an idea in their head, to a full-blown tangible work of art that they can put out into the world. Ultimately, using my resources and abilities to help others make their music the best it can be is what it’s all about. I get excited about it every day.

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

A: [Q:] I don't exactly know what kind of beat/feel I want, or how to tell you what I am thinking, can you try a few different things and send them to me? [A:] Yes! I ultimately want the artist to be beyond satisfied and excited by the drum parts we end up with.

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

A: That the online recording / remote tracking process isn’t as high-quality or collaborative as being in a commercial studio— when in reality, it is equally as inspiring, professional, and fun; resulting in amazing recordings that hold up to some of the best tracks or records made in the big studios right now.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First: How can I help them make this project the best it can be? Then, I like to know what their initial ideas for the drums/percussion on their track or album might be. Do they have any musical/drumming inspirations for the project? Are there any songs or albums I can check out to get a feel for what they’re looking for, or where they’re coming from?

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

A: I have been a professional recording and touring musician for over 16 years, with my first studio session being straight to 2" tape at a studio in Chicago when I was 16 years old. All through high school I played in bands with friends and in school jazz and concert bands. Then I attended college and graduated with a degree in architecture, yet never really pursued a career in that field, as music has always been my primary passion and career choice. Since college I've toured across the country countless times with many bands and artists, performed abroad, and recorded on hundreds of tracks at both my own studio and large studios around the nation.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I play for the song and the artist, above all else. Coming from a rock and jazz background originally, I absorbed and practiced both highly technical forms of music, as well as more song-serving, pocket grooves. Combining these worlds has helped me develop a style with many different sets of tools available at any given moment.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Perhaps my ability to listen to the music and translate the client's ideas into the best drum parts both sonically and technically.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I can work with a client live via Zoom (and AudioMovers), or through calls/texts and emails, whatever best suits the client. Whichever way, I like to begin by getting a feel for the project and the direction the client wants the drums to go through ample communication and discussion. Then I track an initial pass to make sure feel and drum tones are on the right path, and send that to the client for notes. Once I get any notes or changes back, I address those, and once perfected, send the finished multitracks off to the client.

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

A: I perform and record live drum and percussion parts for artists and producers, working with them to create unique parts that elevate and support their music, and above all, are right for their project. Often this means assisting my clients in realizing the drum parts they hear in their head, or sometimes even creating something entirely new and exciting.

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

A: I recently recorded for a singer-songwriter who needed the drums to really help lift one particular song, which was her favorite track on the record. After hearing her song back with the drums, she said she actually cried tears of joy. It’s moments like that that are just so incredible in this business.

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

A: I'd recommend my good friend, both in the studio and on the road, Ben Waligoske for any pedal steel, electric or acoustic guitar, vocal harmony, or mix/master work. He does it all, and does it well.

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

A: The drumming of Jim Keltner and Aaron Sterling inspires me, as they’re both such musical drummers, always serving the song above all else. The production style of Aaron Dessner (The National, Taylor Swift, Big Red Machine) is also a big inspiration of mine.