Music Producer/Songwriter

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

A: My first client on Soundbetter was an Australian lady that needed a fully produced 8 song record. I dove straight in and even though it wasn't always easy, the final product sounded great and my client was very pleased. I arranged, programmed, played live instruments (along with Brandon Bagby), and produced the whole thing. It was an amazing experience!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my solo EP.

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

A: Brandon Bagby is an incredible guitarist. I use him on a regular basis for my projects. It's amazing how good and clean his tracks sound.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital! Analog's too expensive... haha. And I like the amount of control you have with digital.

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

A: I promise to help make your song or project the best that it can be.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love love love to create. When a song is finished and I can sit back and say "this is good", that's one of the greatest feelings.

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

A: What's the difference between a fully produced track and programming. A fully produced track has ALL instruments in there whereas programming is usually just the background instruments like violins, synthesizers, pianos, and sound effects.

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

A: That I only play one instrument. My dad was a band director and taught me how to play many instruments. My best is piano, but a lot of people are surprised to see that I can play bass or drums just as well.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision for the song? What are you wanting to do with your music once it's finished?

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

A: You want to work to with someone who is experienced, but also with someone who understands people. I LOVE people, and love working WITH them, not just for them. Look for someone you will enjoy working with. That's how music production is supposed to be.

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

A: My Apollo, my iMac, my monitors, my keyboard, and bass guitar. I could make an entire record with that and have the peace to do it on that desert island! haha

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

A: I've been writing/producing my own songs since I was 10 on a dual cassette player in my parents' living room, haha. I learned programming when I was 21. I'm 33 now and I've been doing that ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is probably pop. I've listened to it my whole life and I definitely see myself bringing that element into everything I work on.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Energy, depth, space, emotion.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I take a song and get familiar with the layout first, then I decide what kind of feel the song needs, then I start exploring the vast libraries of sounds to find the right elements to help bring the song to life.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Logic Pro on an iMac. I have an Apollo Twin microphone preamp that makes EVERYTHING sound great. I use Rokit 8 monitors.

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

A: Imogen Heap, Coldplay, Mutemath, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson.

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

A: Mostly I do programming jobs. I take a song or track that has drums, guitars, bass, vocals, and I build other instruments around them. Strings, piano, pads; all the stuff that gives a song space and depth behind everything.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Melody. I LOVE good melodies.

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

A: Imogen Heap. She has an amazing voice with an incredible range and she does all of her own production and programming. That is one talented lady right there.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Recently I've learned that you've got to get good clean sounds on the way in or else the song will never sound quite right. Spending a little more time on the front end isn't always the easiest thing to do, but the most beneficial.

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

A: Usually I work on pop/rock, worship, and soundtracks.