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

A: Bailey Baum- co-writer and co-producer, Jessica Childress- co-producer, The ii- co-producer, Window to The Abbey- producer, Scott Middough- producer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A synth pop band's EP, a soulful singer-songwriter's first EP and a few alt. pop singles.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both- whatever the source calls for. Vocals always get an analog pre and compressor on the way in, it just sounds the best.

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

A: To have clarity and agreements on what the plan is. I don't leave room for expectations, I get agreements. That way there is never confusion about what is happening, how long something is taking or how much something costs.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Setting people free to create and getting to collaborate and create with other people.

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

A: How much do you charge? I ask them what their goals are first and then we talk timeline and then we talk budget. I've often found that if an artist can't afford something "right now" they tend to walk away. I always challenge that thought because I believe if you want a particular product or service bad enough, you'll find the resources. My goal is to create so much value for people that they can't help but find the resources to work with me.

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

A: That great production can make a song great. It doesn't matter how good the production is, if the song isn't good, it doesn't matter. I always say, "A great song always wins". Great song craft if the most important factor in creating a successful record.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask for a Spotify playlist of songs that they want they're finished product to sound like or similar to. I ask what they're goals are as far as commercial performance vs TV and film synch opportunities. I ask them their plan for sustainability and strategy.

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

A: Be as specific as possible in references and the sound you're looking for. I love to eliminate as many options up front as possible so that we can go deep into the genre and results you're looking for.

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

A: Acoustic guitar, 1974 Fender Precision bass, MPC, Neve 1073, Distressor.

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

A: I started professionally producing when I was 18. I'm 33 now so, 15 years. My first 5 years were in Portland, OR and the last 10 have been here in LA.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Just left of center. I love pop hooks but I like to deliver them in slightly left-of-center ways and sounds. I'm the commercial side of alternative and the alternative side of commercial.

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

A: The list is long but a few off the top of my head- James Blake, Brandon Flowers, The 1975, Post Malone, James Bay.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Its all about the vocal pacing. Whatever you do, it has to support the vocal.

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

A: Alternative pop, alt r&b, indie-singer/songwriter, alt hip hop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creating a memorable sound that is instantly recognizable within a song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The ability to clearly represent the musical idea that an artist has in their head. I am able to make songs that connect because I have a great grasp of arrangement, emotional arc, dynamics and also how to pick the essential elements that will be heard by everyone. I always strive to make songs that clearly tell the listener what genre they're in and what emotion we are trying to express.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always start with either a piano and vocal or a guitar and vocal (unless there's a loop or vibe already started) then I tend to build out a track with the artist in the room and get any ideas we have down with midi and then once we have a clear vision, I will record live drums, guitars and bass (if desired) and then track final vocals once the production is mostly done. From there I either mix it or send it out to be mixed (depending on the genre) and then send it to mastering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro Tools Ultimate, Ableton 10. UAD Plug-ins, Sound Toys, Waves. Lots of guitars and basses. Native Instruments, Arturia V Collection. Vocal booth, control room, coffee/tea setup. I do hybrid production of in-the-box stuff and real instruments. Lots of vibe but I also tend to be more minimal in my approach.

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

A: Producers- Rick Rubin, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Elizondo, Ricky Reed, Daniel Lanois, Rostam Batmanglij. Mixers- Tom Elmhirst, Manny Marroquin, Alan Moulder, Carlos De La Garza.

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

A: Music production, top to bottom. From a rough demo or idea to a completed, mixed and mastered song that is ready for release.