Pop Songwriter & Singer

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

A: In their early development, a music organization in Los Angeles by the name of Isina, reached out to me while helping an artist they were working with at the time, in hopes to secure a feature for her song as they hurried to meet the release date. I gave them the feature, and they have stayed in contact with me ever since. I consider that a project I'm proud of because for 1, that was a time I genuinely met a desperate need for someone else in music, and 2... that group is a lot bigger today than when I first worked with them, and that situation turned into a sincere friendship with a pretty credible group today.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: After the last song I created was released, it was a little frustrating to see RockNation ignore certain promises that were made to me, so I chose not to work on any music of my own for a while. However; this enabled more time for me to help all of my clients here!

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

A: Cam James brings supernatural energy to a song! I hired Cam for a song that went on my previous album "Champagne," and let me tell you. If you need a killer thriller rapper for your song, that man is the way to go!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I strongly believe that you can alternate between the two and truthfully, there shouldn't be a divide

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I'm obsessed with the gratification that comes after a completed project. If I can exceed your expectations and pump out a killer song, my purpose in life is fulfilled.

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

A: Client - With your experience, why do you do freelance work? My general answer - Despite the experience I have, I'm not famous yet! Also, I just enjoy doing what I love, making music with good people, and it happens to come with dollars!

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

A: There really are none! Before I begin working, we will have already covered every concern and ensure we are on the same page throughout the entire process.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Every assignment is unique, and different questions are required depending on whether the client is looking for songwriting, or a vocalist.

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

A: Don't hesitate on being specific! When looking for a provider, keep an eye out for any signs of rushing or that they aren't as excited about the project like you are. The more information you can give me, the better the output will be and decrease the need for revisions.

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

A: Assuming I have the essentials like water and shelter, I would definitely need my laptop, microphone, interface, headphones, and cell phone!

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

A: I haven't always wanted to be a singer/songwriter. As a kid I wanted to attend Julliard as a pianist. After my father put me in lessons it sort of became clear that I didn't want to read music, I wanted to create it. From there I made up my own little songs on the piano which would soon be accompanied by me singing to whatever I was playing, and from freestyling... to full blown writing. Over time this became a passion, and I knew I wanted to go into the industry as a serious, competitive artist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Very, VERY diverse. For example, my most streamed song is called "Road Trip," which I would describe as sort of an ethereal, ambient, retro-dance pop song with a soulful touch for the older folks. While my most recent album 'Champagne' is almost entirely the opposite, including elements of Hip-hop, Trap, R&B, and some ballads. I don't like limiting myself because I enjoy a lot of different musical genres.

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

A: Unfortunately, the #1 artist I would have greatly enjoyed working with has passed on, the legend himself Michael Jackson. But among those who are notable in music today I would say Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole for their incredible songwriting, Justin Bieber for a nearly flawless natural vocal performance, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne for the level of skill they bring to recording, but honestly anyone who's music I've added to any of my personal playlists, haha!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When mastering your song, listen to the project using up to three different output avenues before you consider a project finished. I use my monitor headphones for mixing and the first part of mastering, then my Mackie speaker monitors, and finally a set of earbuds I bought from like a Best Buy or Guitar Center. This ensures that you are aware of any hiccups you wouldn't normally catch with just one of your output methods. Sometimes I'll even listen to a track in my car before I consider it done. You don't have to, but try it out!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: From a freelancer standpoint, my strongest skill would have to be quality. As an artist myself, I would say staying comfortable with diversifying my music and not limiting my creativity to one style or audience.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think most professionals would say they bring expertise or experience, but I bring something a little more important than that, and I say this respectively... Emotion! Again, everything that goes into creating should have a foundation or root from emotion. If you can't feel the song, chances are somebody else won't, and vice versa.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For songwriting, it starts with an idea. Then that idea turns into humming melodies, and from melody into words. I like to use RhymeZone to help with a pairing rhyme sometimes, but for the most part I just let the music write itself. When recording, I feel completely free to sing lyrics the way I hear it in my head, which takes away the belief that you MUST do it a certain way. Music is about feeling, so you have to feel the song in order for someone else to.

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

A: You will never pay for anything you are not 101% satisfied with. Having had experience in a leadership role making sure artists were treated fairly, received all the services and benefits a label had to offer, and working closely hands-on with projects in different genres; It is my only priority to deliver what was agreed, and exceed expectations.

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

A: I favorite and spend the most time on any of the genres I record in myself. These include Pop, Hip-hop, R&B, Funk, and some acoustic or singer songwriter. This is not to say that I am not comfortable working on any other type of music, I just have the most fun with these.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: When I am not in my Los Angeles studio, I have a home setup composed of my laptop, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Generation hardware/interface/microphone, a wonderful pair of Mackie CR-X series monitor speakers, and last but never least my DAW of choice which is PreSonus Studio One's 5th version. I also combine two different auto-tune plug-ins to ensure that I get the most organic, smooth sounding vocal pitch correction for all mixes.

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

A: Those who listen to my music would agree I have a strong influence from artists in the likes of Tory Lanez, Michael Jackson, and Chris Brown. However, I heavily admire the work of Poo Bear (Jason Boyd) who is credited for songwriting much of the music we hear on everyday radio, and Josh Gudwin who is the mastermind behind the mixing and polishing of almost half the popular tunes you and I listen to as well.

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

A: Well that is really quite a small question for a big answer. I perform many duties for the professionals I work with, including but not limited to top quality songwriting, pristine vocal performances, melody and harmony analyzation, post production services, vocal coaching, and much more having been a label owner myself. Every client I work with has the option to choose what services they want, and it is my job to ensure those needs are met with the highest satisfaction.