Producer, Songwriter, Engineer

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

A: I am obviously really proud of my Billboard 200, Top 10 album, as well as the many projects I have poured my heart into but the thing I am most proud of is this new "Carmen Jane" album coming out this summer. It's an amalgamation of so many genres and so much emotion, heart, blood, sweat and tears went into making the record.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am finishing singles for "The Young Sires" and about to start putting out singles for "Carmen Jane's" debut album. I am also working with other artists remotely doing a bunch of mixing, mastering and production.

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

A: Not currently, I'm fairly new to the platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I prefer Analog to Digital for vocals and mastering but digital for everything else. I prefer analog processing on vocals and for mastering because there is some presence/width/depth/magic that happens through analog processing that you just can't get in the box.

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

A: My promise is to give you my absolute best. Plain and simple. Will do whatever I reasonably can to ensure your vision comes through in your music.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating, plain and simple. but I just love audio work, I spend the majority of my time working on music.

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

A: Q: Can you do this for less money an just do less to the final? A: No, I'd prefer the final product be the best it can be and not cut corners based on budget, especially because you probably wont be happy and the final product with reflect my work. I want to do my best, for the client first and for my portfolio second.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Turn-around time, what's your vision, what's your budget, who are your influences, how can I help you enhance your creativity etc.

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

A: I would say try to have as much clarity as you can on your vision for the final version of your project. It helps the provider "provide" what you're looking for. Also, make sure the providers style as an (engineer, producer, writer etc.) aligns with how you want the final version of your project to turn out.

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

A: Slate Raven MTi2 Honey Badger 1276 Dangerous 2-Bus XT Genelec 8331's Genelec Sub

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

A: I've been a songwriter since 7 years old. Started playing guitar around 9 and played in many local bands until I got signed to Rise Records with a band called Crown The Empire around 16. I've toured nationally and internationally for 5+ years, had a Billboard 200 top 10 album and also working with some world class producers, writers and engineers. I have multiple projects "The Young Sires" and "Carmen Jane" that I executive produce as well as working freelance with many artists from different genres.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style as a writer / producer / engineer is modern / genre bending. I make music that spans genre's from Jazzy, Classical / Dark-pop to Future Bass, EDM, Trap/Hip-Hop crossover. I work all over the place. I just don't love doing generic stuff, but I can do it and make it rip either way.

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

A: As maybe clichê as it is, The Weeknd would be top for me. Some of his records are some of my favorite front to back listens and his blend of pop, hip-hop and RnB are some of my favorite. His dark take on what Michael Jackson did with his music is right up my alley.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One tip I could share is keep going. Everyone's process for growth is different and digging in and learning throughout your process, and just keep making music... you will get better through trial and error + learning from engineers / writers / producers who inspire you.

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

A: Mostly modern / or cutting edge music. Pop, Trap , Hip-Hop, Hyper-Pop, EDM, Future Bass, Dark-Pop etc. I don't generally prefer indie music or acoustic stuff but I have done that kind of thing and can accommodate it.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is creation. I am very good at quickly add magic/sparkle/sauce whatever you want to call it, or making a song turn out that way. I'm a very good engineer and am great at that as well, but I love to create and and either add to or pull new things out of thin air.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a unique ability to hear things that others overlook that generally add really memorable moments to songs. Overall, I have vision and the ability to execute. I am efficient with time and can bring minimalist ideas and turn them into full fledged songs. I can also speak "music gibberish" or "feelings" fairly well so can communicate with musicians who don't understand the engineering side, about their vision well.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to work fairly long hours. Generally for mixing and mastering I will take a break every 4 hours to avoid ear fatigue but otherwise for writing, recording and production work I'll run straight through for 6-12hrs, other than lunch or dinner breaks. Music is my passion and I spend the majority of my time behind my desk.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a Slate Raven MTi2 dual console. I have Genelec 8331 Monitors + matching Subwoofer. I use a Presonus Quantum interface, Audioscape Buss Compressor, and the Honey Badger 1276 dual Preamp + Limiting Amplifier. I use the buss compressor on final mixes and masters and I use the 1276 on all vocals and some instruments.

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

A: I am a big fan of Max Martin's writing and production. Illangelo and Jaycen Joshua are also engineers who inspire me and that I have studied / learned a lot from. Joey Sturgis is a big influence for me and having done a record with him in studio, I've seen his unique style and skill first hand. Nick Morzov is a mentor and big influence on my work as well.

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

A: Generally my remote work is Post-Production, Mixing & Mastering. I run a studio and do writing, recording and production in studio as well. I can handle most requests in regards to audio. I often take songs from a basic voice memo to a fully finished and mastered track.