Session Guitarist

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

A: Im currently in a band called 'Dali' we're an alternative rock band from south coast. We were lucky enough to get one of our singles that I wrote featured on Kerrang! It was at the time to push our EP / Tour that was postponed due to covid until this September and it turned out to be an incredible success. So much work went into getting the record right, from the composition, to the production and the branding, all of which I was heavily involved in every step of the way. To then see it blossom like it did really did make me feel so proud. One of the things on my backlist as a kid was being played / featured in Kerrang and its one milestone I can cross off the list! Also playing alongside Mallory Knox was really cool at a sold out show at the Joiners in Southampton, UK. That was a massive highlight and a night I won't forget.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Im working with Singer / Songwriter Meg Lawrenson who is signed to BFS Records. Im helping her with her next Ep which is being recorded in Feb 2022, and then helping her build a live set to start gigging around April / May 2022. Im primarily session guitarist but am also helping out with a few bits in terms of arrangement and composition within the track as a whole.

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

A: Not currently! Im sure there is loads of amazing artists out there though!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either, like them both but I go with whatever sounds better!

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

A: I will achieve what you want from the project without failure. I will not take on a project I don't see myself being able to fulfil. I know that there is so many options out there and the fact you've chosen me would I not only be so grateful for, but I will work so hard to help achieve what you want and need from the project. Thats a promise.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Playing guitar, being around new music all the time and working with new musicians.

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

A: Normally they ask me of I can get a sound from a record they show me, and my answer is always yeah I can get that or pretty close! I get asked a lot of questions within this as the job can be dependant on so many different factors. However I will not even sugar coat or lie about anything. I'll always give honest and concise answers.

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

A: That its easy! Or people think I'm lazy! It couldn't be further from the truth!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1 - Whats the project for? 2 - What are you trying to convey? / What's the meaning behind why you wrote this? 3 - Who's the targeted audience 4 - What do you want from me specifically?

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

A: 1 - Be open and honest with me. 2 - Communication is key I thrive on feedback and being to create exactly what you want whatever it takes, and being able to have the avenue of conversation there means that there are no grey areas or misunderstanding. Although its work, I do believe in building relationships with people you work with.

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

A: My Laptop, SM58, Fender Duo Sonic, Helix LT & My Interface.

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

A: I've been doing this for the last 10 years, however the last I've really taken on to doing this as full time as possible. I love music in all shapes and forms and want to be surrounded by it as much ass possible, its all I love and what I love most.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: This is always so tricky, I always struggle to translate how I feel in my head about this subject. But the best way I can put it is, I Serve the Song, not myself. Musically, my background is late 80's and early 90's guitar bands. So I think I take a lot of influence from that, bands such as The Clash, Nirvana, The Smiths, The Cure. So I think my guitar playing is relatively reminiscent of those bands, with a modern touch. Personally, Im very easy going and flexible, but understand the importance of deadlines and the matter at hand. Im chilled, but driven if that's a good way to word it?!

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

A: I would love to work with Julia Michaels or Johnny Marr. Its a toss up between the two. Both are incredible songwriters and musicians and personally I believe them to be leaders within their genre's.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make it sound good in the room before starting to record. No amount of plug ins can cover up a bad take.

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

A: I usually work with singer / songwriters or Rock / Alternative Rock groups. Where these are some of my favourite genre's as well to consume and create, I feel I have a deeper connection and understanding for them also.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I can be flexible to each project. Having the power of the Helix LT means that I can create new sounds and tones within minutes. Meaning I can fit into any style not only technically but rhythmically as well I know the characteristic of different genre's, the times when less is more, and being able to approach each song with the care and attention it requires. I know it sounds 'cliche' but I feel the music and read each song and within that I know what is required and when.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Im dedicated and passionate about any project that I'm fortunate to be involved in. Being able to create alongside other is something that I know I doing, and my determination and drive is second to none once I'm on board. I have worked with a variety of different artists and clients, so I've done from Atmospheric Acoustic to Metalcore, and also been part of creating music for an advertisement so I can mould myself to any project. My gear is also of a high standard meaning that I can send you recordings from home, and then if needed to play livc I can use the exact same sounds / tones so your music can be replicated as close to a recording as possible. My guitar playing is something I pride myself on. Im really a 'performer' in all sense of the word, when it comes to how I play each note on the guitar to have I give a performance I feel that expressing myself and serving the needs of the client are something that fit hand in hand as I understand what is expected of me.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For session guitar - first and foremost I want to understand the nature of the project, this involves conversing and liaising with the client, to then either build the idea and sound they require. Or for me to establish what they need and mould myself and my rig to that specific sound. I know how important it is for a project for every aspect to align and create the full package especially within a creative enviroment and my job is to make sure that I help you achieve that goal without fail.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Logic Pro X (which I'm fluent in) & use Rokit KRK studio monitors. The guitars I use are Fender Duo Sonic HS which can do both bright and bluesy tones. A Fender Mustang p90, which is much more well rounded and better used for anything needing a bit darker than the Duo Sonic & then the Epiphone ES 339 which is can do harder rock, but also really full and deeper clean tones than there others. I use a Line 6 Helix LT modelling floorboard meaning I can craft and shape my guitar tones to each project depending on what style they want from me. This gives me the flexibility of an endless array of pedals, amp sims and effects to use to help take the guitar in the song to the next level.

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

A: Some of the Musicians who inspire me are Johnny Marr, Graham Coxon, Simon Neil, Jonny Greenwood, & Mark Ronson.

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

A: Writing, recording and performing guitar tracks for a client. I use a Line 6 Helix LT so I can create any guitar sound that is required for the project and my skill set as a guitarist means that I can be flexible to the client and the genre they require. I also help with songwriting and arranging for clients, with all work I do whether that be session playing or songwriting, I want to help portray the emotion and feeling the client wants from the project through my work. Music is my primary passion and its all I love, so I take a huge amount of pride in all the projects I'm lucky enough too be involved in.