Music Prod/Guitar Session

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

A: In 2016 I was working with a local hip hop artist for his live band. Somehow, the task of musical director came to me. All the musicians in the band were amazing, but no one was directing. With some practice and feedback from some friends, who were studying at Berklee at the moment, I reorganized the band, backing tracks, dynamics, arrangements, etc. We ended the year playing in the city's biggest music festival, and against all odds, we were considered one of the best acts along with headliners Babasonicos. I directed that band, and I'm especially proud of that project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Writing and producing a couple of songs for local artists. Just finished recording electric guitars for my main client last month.

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

A: I'm new here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Whichever is at hand and does the job.

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

A: The best productions/songs are the ones that actually get made. Let's make them. Also, professionalism.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The sense of fulfillment that it gives me.

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

A: How would you play this? Answer varies.

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

A: I'm an elitist musician who plays amazing guitar.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you know exactly what you want? Do you want me to have some creative freedom? Would you like to have my opinion on the matters at hand?

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

A: Punk-ish/guerrilla production can be good too.

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

A: Laptop with ableton, electric guitar, sm57, JHS Colour Box, OP-1 (I don't own one tho :c).

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

A: Started playing punk music at 12. Went to music school at 15. Studied production for a year at 18. Worked professionally as an in-house musician for a cultural center at 22, was also the main arranger for the music that we had to play. I've played for and directed local artists for some time now (I'm 33 at the moment). Mostly work nowadays with a small group of Berklee graduates. They're great to work with.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Punk-ish, sometimes jazzy.

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

A: Damon Albarn. All the colors.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Record everything as best as possible, post production will be thankful. Also, reverb is overrated.

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

A: Indie pop more professionally, and whatever it is that I do on instagram (tracks? beats?).

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Resourcefulness. I make do with what I have.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever the song asks of me, including not playing. Work for the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For recording guitar, studying the song and parts well, practice, test sounds, give feedback to arranger about the part if allowed. For making a track/beat, start by outlining a general harmony and rhythm. Add Colors and details, mute excess colors and details. Music should be easy to hear, I think.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Focusrite Scarlett, Computer, Gibson Firebird, Audio-Technica At2020, whatever else I can find laying around that makes a sound. JHS Colour Box makes all the difference.

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

A: Gorillaz, Kraftwerk, Jonti, Beatles. Coldplay is always a great reference (X&Y is awesome). Also, Videogame music is amazing as well.

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

A: Electric guitar session musician, mainly pop music