World Music Singer/Songwriter

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

A: My new album, "Tunisian Tale," is a collaboration with my partner and bandmate, Carmen Rizzo, who is a two-time Grammy-nominated producer. We also worked with two-time Grammy-winning mastering engineer Dale Becker and the multi-disciplinary instrumentalist Dimitri Mahlis from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. My role in this project was to write the lyrics, create the melodies, and perform the vocals. The album has been receiving incredible feedback since its release just a month ago, and it's currently ranked #1 on the NACC charts in the World Music category. Additionally, the first track "A Faraway Land" was selected by the prestigious KCRW radio as "Today's Top Tune" on Feb 17, 2023.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recently released a new album just a month ago, which has already reached the #1 position on the NACC charts in the World Music category for two consecutive weeks. I served as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the album. Currently, I am engaging in interviews and focusing on social media announcements to connect with fans and receive feedback. In addition, I am actively working on writing my next album, submitting my current album to awards and competitions, and collaborating on three new projects as a session vocalist. These projects include a French single, an album featuring classical Arabic lyrics and instrumentation, and an ethereal vocal performance for a movie soundtrack.

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

A: I am aware of potential artists to recommend, but the talented ones I know are typically in high demand and already find work through other channels, making it difficult to recommend them for additional projects.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I prefer using digital gear for music production. As a minimalist who values efficiency and flexibility, I find analog gear and recording in big studios can be cumbersome and impractical, particularly when traveling. I believe in using minimalist tools to achieve high-quality results and get things done efficiently, anywhere I go.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating original compositions and meeting artists with more experience than myself that help me grow.

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

A: I was lucky to have learned these recommendations from pretty advanced artists and Berklee educators who have multiple Grammy Awards in their credits so I can share some of this knowledge with my customers. As an example I will highly advise to know everything about your creation: Key, BPM, Recording Information (Sample Rate, Bit Depth), Multiple Reference tracks with similar sounds/style, what are the elements you can't scarify in your project, what are the elements you wish to improve or replace in your project, improve your vocabulary about the things you love most (sounds, effects, mixing techniques...) and most importantly keep an open mind sometimes what serves your creation is not necessary what you have in mind. Guessing and vague thoughts will never work in your project's favor but being precise and specific will help you get closer to what you are looking for from your collaborators.

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

A: Conservatory education since childhood than live performances locally and internationally and currently enrolled ina Electronic Music Production & Sound Design degree in Berklee College of Music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Ethnic Electronica.

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

A: Electronic Music with some world/ethnic music flavors.

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

A: Artists who are working on an EDM track or beat and need a vocal improv or vocal samples to add an original or ethnic touch to their compositions.

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

A: 100% Satisfaction or No charge.

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

A: 90% of my customers start by "I'm working on an EDM track and I want you to do a middle eastern improv to spice it up." My answer is "With pleasure" if I can provide anything that helps an artist close the loop on a project and release it, I'm all in.

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

A: This is a fun question to answer. A huge misconception about me as an artist is that my music is all Middle Eastern percussion and that I burly speak English. When the truth is that I listened to way more Heavy Metal records in my life than Middle Eastern Music and that my English have some imperfections not because I'm from North Africa but because I speak 5 languages.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1st question is always; what's the deadline! I'm all about meticulous, organized work, getting paid just fairly and provide the best quality in the best time frame.

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

A: Laptop, Push 2, a Small basic midi keyboard, good headphones and my mic. This is my favorite setup without the desert island trip. Minimalism boosts my creativity and helps me stay focused. When everything fits in my backpack I can be productive anywhere.

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

A: Dj Snake, because it's the closest style to what I like to do: Electronic Music with world music influence.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Write a same melody in an usual mode and it will get interesting and edgy before even starting the production phase. There is much more in music than just Major and Minor keys.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Singing & Writing Melodies

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Lyrics, Melodies, Singing (Vocal Recordings & Vocal Production)

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Songwriting with Ableton11 in session view, gathering motifs, building melodies and writing lyrics simultaneously. After finalizing the songwriting phase I focus on the vocal recordings and the vocal production.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Two Laptops, a powerful gaming laptop (Alienware), a Mac, Ableton11, Logic ProX, Protools, Push2, couple mics, couple monitors, a basic midi keyboard.

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

A: Carmen Rizzo and Prince Charles Alexandre inspire me every day. They have a huge impact on my practice because I know them well and I know the great artist behind the artwork.