"Savvy Songwriter"

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

A: I'm especially proud of a song I wrote for a graphic novelist. She asked me to write a love song for two of her fictional characters, living in outer space. I wrote a custom song called "The Universe Inside Us".

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on two business jingles and an original song written by a Canadian studio drummer.

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

A: I know the guys at TruNorth Recording Studios in Las Vegas, NV. I would highly recommend their virtual services for studio production and song development and completion.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog for acoustic music, digital for everything else. I was trained in the studio early on by a local genius engineer. I keep using this strategy because it keeps working well.

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

A: I promise a 100% Song Satisfaction Guarantee.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like stepping into other people's lives for a bit, and imaging that my story is their story.

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

A: Mostly, customers ask that their song remain true to their vision. My answer is always yes, because it's an honor to write one chapter in the book of their lives.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that clients should have some musical knowledge before contacting a songwriter. I've done my best work for clients who are completely non-musical.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask prospective clients some technical questions (BPM, length, instrumentation). But mostly, as a writer, I'm interested in the clients' motivations and expectations for their song.

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

A: Please provide as much information as possible about what YOU want the song to be. Most importantly, please tell me what you want the song I write for you to do for you.

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

A: Taylor acoustic guitars and the voices in my head and heart.

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

A: I performed live, full time, for many years. I always wrote songs along the way for clients and businesses. Once Covid-19 shut our industry down in 2020, I focused full time on writing songs and recording. I've decided to make songwriting my main gig, and performing live my side hustle.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Memorable melodies, heartfelt and almost predicable music, and lyrics that make your eyes open wide.

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

A: I would like to work with Moby. In addition to being a world-class DJ, Moby has released ambient trip hop-like tracks that are truly inspiring. I would like to watch Moby build a song in real time.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Record a phat, clean signal, and build from there.

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

A: I usually work on pop country songs, and acoustic singer/songwriter demos and completed tunes. For business clients, I produce jingles that echo the brand's image and energy.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is hearing a melody upon reading words, phrases or lyrics. Once I hear the melody, my hands start fretting chords and the song quickly develops.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring all of my musical and life experiences. I bring an outside, neutral perspective in terms of the song's creative possibilities. Ultimately, I will deliver a great, custom song, and this brings happiness and a sense of completion to all of my clients.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with the melody. The melody leads me to the lyrics, which leads me to the song's title and overall structure.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a simple set up for most demos: Neumann Microphones/Preamps, Studio One, Apollo Solo Interface, Taylor 414 CE-R, Martin ZAD80CE. Once the buyer approves, I head to our Las Vegas recording studio to bring the song to life.

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

A: I'm inspired by The Strokes as much as by Beethoven. Jack White inspires me to be the best sound engineer I can be.

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

A: I write custom pop country songs for clients. I also write acoustic singer/songwriter tunes for other writers and solo artists.