Producer, Engineer, Guitarist

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

A: Two years ago I released a project of my own music. I produced, wrote, played, mixed, engineered almost everything on the project but had help from some friends as well! I was offered a deal from a major label in Los Angeles but it was right at the start of the pandemic and didn't feel like the right time. I worked very hard on the music and am incredibly proud of how it turned out. If any potential client is looking to see what they'll get if they work with me, that's the best place to start! Just check out Joe Avio on any streaming service to listen if you'd like.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Developing tiktok artists as well as production for a few major label clients.

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

A: Cam Lee! One of my closest friends, touring partners, and the best drummer I know.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Whatever serves the song best.

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

A: The Walmart version of Ian Kirkpatrick.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The people! I really love getting to know new people all over the world every day. Music really is a universal language and I'm glad I get to help people tell their stories! I'm very lucky to be able to do what I do sustainably.

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

A: How long will it take? Depends on the job! Usually a few days to a week but if I'm producing a full song it might take a little more than that. I want to make sure that the client is happy every step of the way.

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

A: It's a lot harder than it looks!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What music do you like to listen to? I always ask clients to send me a playlist of their favourite songs.

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

A: The more definition your vision has the better! It really helps producers when clients can articulate what they're looking for.

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

A: 1. Voice memos! Otherwise I'd forget what I was doing 9 times out of 10. 2. My Martin acoustic. The first and only high end acoustic I'll ever have/need. 3. Prophet 12. Is there anything it can't do? 4. Manley Reference C Microphone. I use it for everything! I love recording fun little sounds around my studio to turn into percussive ideas. 5. Water bottle, gotta stay hydrated.

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

A: I started out as a session guitarist in Vancouver, BC Canada. During a gap year from the University of British Columbia that I took to pursue music, I auditioned and was accepted for the production/engineering program at Thornton School of Music (USC) in Los Angeles. I studied there for several years, built a professional and social network of friends and professors, and have since been working full time as a produce, engineer, and touring guitarist with a select few artists I love to support on the road! I have been playing different instruments for as long as I can remember but have been producing for about a decade, professionally for half that.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm a pretty minimal producer a lot of the time, I don't like filling up space for the sake of filling up space. I try to be very intentional with all of my decisions. Every sound serves a purpose!

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

A: Frank Ocean! Why not?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If whatever you're doing isn't going to make a huge difference to the sound the first time somebody listens to your track, you probably shouldn't worry about it as much as you are and move on to something that has a bigger effect. Details are really important, but it's better to not get caught up in the small stuff until later on in the process.

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

A: Everything!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I can do everything myself! As long as I have an artist to work with, I can take them all the way from writing initial ideas to a completely finished, mixed, and mastered record without outside help.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I try not to get in the way of the song when I'm producing. I always make sure that whatever I'm doing doesn't take away from the most important part of the record, the artist! That being said, I love unique sound design and spend a lot of time turning found sounds/foley and other interesting audio samples into completely different elements (synths, percs etc) to make songs really stand out.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It changes with every project. Usually I write with artists, spend a session or two on the productions and if we are both excited about it then move forward and make it perfect!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a hybrid analog/digital setup. I split time between both Ableton and ProTools depending on what I'm working on but am proficient in both.

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

A: My friends! I have a lot of friends that I attended The Thornton School of Music at USC with that work in the music industry in Los Angeles. Their work inspires, drives, and excites me every day!

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

A: I spend most of my time with clients producing, cowriting, and mixing.