Session Vocalist and Drummer

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

A: I really have loved working with TR/ST. When we recorded the Destroyer albums, I was guided to explore the approach of the songs with sensitivity to the intent. "Play as if you are a ninja walking on a roof top in the middle of the night," was one of the notes that I can remember Damien, the engineer, telling me. The live shows have been some of the most fun I have ever played. I played to enhance the electronic drums and bring liveliness to the shows.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my own music that will turn into an album, but I am also preparing for a few tours with artists TBA.

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

A: Not that I know of but I am sure I do!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, when they work together they have so many options to facilitate the sounds and atmosphere that exist in our heads.

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

A: I promise that I will give the best and most professional services that I can. I will show up prepared and open to suggestions.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Meeting people, playing with people, creating with people, brainstorming with people- collaboration in general is my favorite part.

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

A: What are your influences? What kind of gear do you have?

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

A: That I am all rock and all loud, or that I am unavailable for sessions.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your influences? How many days is the session? Do you have a set-up? Have you worked with a session drummer/vocalist before?

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

A: The more details about the project/songs, the better! I am open to collaborating on material, but we just have to be transparent regarding the relationship you are seeking to develop with my services.

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

A: Does this desert island have monitors and 1/4" or XLR cables? If so, an SPD sx, my left-handed acoustic guitar, a melodica, a Shure sm57a microphone, and a Tascam 388.

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

A: I started touring when I was 19. One of the first few major shows I played was opening up for Iggy and the Stooges with Le Butcherettes back in 2011. Since then, I have joined multiple projects that played everywhere from South Africa to Asia, Europe to the Americas.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style stems from a background in funk and jazz, but I was also learning how to play music with people who idolized jam/rock bands so it's a mixture of all of that. Technical, dynamic, can be loud and intense but can also be chill.

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

A: That's tough because there are so many! I mean, Liz Frasier and Kate Bush are at the top, but I would also love to accompany Kadja Bonet, Bjork, and maybe even... dare I say it... Paul McCartney?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't focus too hard on specifics in the beginning. Try to get the skeleton of an arrangement/sound and then let the song guide itself into what it wants to be.

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

A: Indie pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Drumming and singing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring dynamics, consistency, some jazziness, lots of groove. Can be both straight-forward and in-the-pocket, or elaborate and improvisational depending on what the song calls for.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For touring or recording, I listen to the songs/influences endlessly. When I know them enough, I will go into a space to practice them until it feels solid enough. For writing, I like to come up with the music before the lyrics. Lyrics and melodies come quite naturally to me so it doesn't take very long to get a scratch instrumental. Once I know where the song is going, I will start to arrange accordingly. With my music, I try to get as close to the final sound as possible with any synths, drum samples, or other instruments.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: While I do not have my own studio (YET!) I have a C&C 4-piece that I can bring to any studio, along with stands, cymbals, kick pedal, etc.

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

A: Huge fan of: Brian Eno, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Broadcast, Minnie Riperton, Morgan Kibby, and Nina Simone.

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

A: In general, I have been a touring drummer for artists, but I have also done vocal and drum session work throughout the years for various different projects. I also love to teach drums.