Music Producer

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First, I meet the client to know what their needs are and if we could have a good working relationship. I ask for their musical references to get a greater understanding of what mood they're going for. Then, we meet to begin the creation process where I serve to help establish the song structure, melody, lyrics, mood, and general flow. I am very respectful of the client's vision and frequently ask for their feedback throughout the music creation process together. When the song is written, then I set up an appointment to record with my sound engineer. I am present at the recording with my client and direct the entire process from there. I handle the musical accompaniment and communicate all needs of the client to the sound engineer for the best final product.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital is the easiest for me because you can work with the production from anywhere.

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 doing the solo album project with Sydney Barnett. With this project, I can say we have great teamwork and flow. I believe we have great respect for each other's ideas and I feel just a part of the project as Sydney. My role in this project was to create the musical accompaniment and help direct the creation in terms of mood and melody. Sydney is the vocalist, wrote the lyrics and helped with creating some parts of the melody too. I have a big hope for this project and can't wait to see it evolve.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a solo project for an American client named Sydney Barnett. I am co-creating an album with her. She will release the album this year (2021).

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

A: I'm not familiar with others yet on SoundBetter but I hope to connect and make recommendations to pay it forward as a part of this special community.

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

A: I promise that you can always be honest with me and I will always listen to your questions and comments regarding a song. It's like how they say, no question is a stupid question. I will always be there to guide you along the way and you can always come to me for clarification or advice.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most about producing music is the journey, not the destination. Of course, I always work hard for a final result that the client can be super proud of. But I love how the progress unfolds, bit by bit. Then, finally, it accumulates into a finished product that is a fusion of hard work, patience, creativity and fun.

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

A: How much is your rate? How long will the process take? The price is dependent on what you bring to the process already. The more time involved, the more the price. In terms of how long the process will take, it also depends on what you bring to the process already. But I am always happy to meet your time constraints and I can give you an estimate once I know more about the job.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that producers dominate the process. I always follow what the client wants.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of music do you like? What do you already have created (lyrics, melody, instruments, etc)? What is your goal for this music? What is your 'why'? What is your creative process?

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

A: Make sure you hire a producer that specializes in the genre that suits you.

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

A: My guitar, my Macbook, a dynamic microphone, cables (of course!), and a soundcard.

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

A: I started playing guitar when I was 13 years old. I played music around Indonesia in various groups and in the last few years started producing music in Bali.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Again, I love to feel the mood of a song. Particularly, I love songs that evoke the feeling of being in nature, like Ben Howard's music. I love the imagination that comes with creating a song, and I love imagining the story behind it.

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

A: I love to work with new, upcoming artists. I love to start with a clean slate and witness the client's art come to fruition.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I would say...don't be afraid to speak up and take ownership of your music during the production process. I want the client to feel connected to their music and feel like it's their art. I want them to remain totally immersed in the production experience and take my guidance as suggestions, but they get the final word.

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

A: I love to work on folk acoustic music and dream pop ambience.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Playing the guitar, without a doubt.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I always bring the emotion and mood. I often ask my clients, "What do you feel when you create this song?" Hope? Sadness? Longing? And, "Where you imagine singing / playing this song?" A cafe? A city street? A mountain? I want to know the general ambience of the song and I can tailor the song to fit this mood to bring the client's feeling and message across in the final piece.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently work with select sound engineers to mix and master music.

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

A: Ben Howard. Kings of Convenience. Bon Iver. Simon & Garfunkle. The Beatles.

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

A: Music production. It depends on how much they have already created. I am comfortable handling all aspects of the song creation process along with the client as a team.