Producer/Multi-Instrumentalist

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

A: Formerly as a production assistant for BoomFox Productions, I was creating music visualizers and engaging in audio editing for some of their client submissions. I felt proud to be a part of that process.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, I'm revamping and updating some of my producer portfolio, while also working on some production for an artist project.

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

A: BoomFox Productions

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: On a practical ad economical level, I'd say digital. However, this should never be at the expense of analogue. I observe that digital technology is often attempting to emulate analogue sounds and nowadays to an almost unrecognizable degree. Analogue will always hold an intrinsic value that digital may simply have to continue accommodating for.

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

A: In whatever capacity I'm operating, whether as a producer or instrumentalist, I promise to engage in the process with every bit of focus and presence I can possibly give, such that your project is given the energy and attention it deserves.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I enjoy the all-encompassing focus that it simultaneously requires and grants. It helps to forget about a whole bunch of other things that I might otherwise be giving mental attention to, most of which are irrelevant or erroneous. It's a little bit like meditation in that regard.

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

A: Q: What would it cost to...? A: It depends on your budget and what you want done.

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

A: That it requires fame to do it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have any references in mind? How soon do you need it done? How soon can you get some files to me? What budget do you have in mind?

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

A: Trust the process and maintain enthusiasm for your project even while it's still coming together.

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

A: Firstly, does the desert island have electricity? Assuming it does: 1. Tascam iXY digital audio converter 2. iPhone with GarageBand installed 3. Korg Microkey midi controller 4. Shure 58 microphone (with a cable and stand) 5. Acoustic guitar with a pickup (with a cable)

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

A: I started learning guitar in my childhood and played in bands during and after high-school. I then pursued a solo career for many years, touring and recording. In the late nineties, I learned what whatever version of Logic was around at the time, which was my initial foray into music production. In the early two-thousands, I did some formal studies in audio engineering while continuing to perform live. Since then, I've engaged in conservatorium level music studies and updated my production skills while continuing to maintain focus on playing, composing and writing.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Ambient rock with electronic and hip hop elements. My formative background is rock. In the house I grew up in, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison were on rotation. At the same time, I loved 80's pop music. I've gone through different phases of what my tastes are. I was right into early 90's grunge, but then listened to loads of EDM and pop after that time. Sometimes I've listened to nothing but ambient styles of music, especially when my mood is lot more reflective or when I don't want to be swayed too much in my thoughts or emotions by the lyrical content of a song. As a producer, writer and musician I believe it's important to listen a lot of different styles in order to stay open to new ideas.

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

A: Dave Grohl - The idea of that frightens and inspires me. He's a successful all-rounder who earned the respect of those who inspired him, and that's no meat feat.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The only rule is, "Does it sound good?"

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

A: My background is generally rock, indie and folk, but I like to engage with electronic elements (EDM, Hip Hop) as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: From a production perspective, my ability to picture how the song or piece of music might sound if it had extra enhancing elements. From an instrumental perspective, probably my vocals, followed by my saxophone playing, followed by my guitar playing, following by my piano playing...

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I start by listening to the overall story (picture) and theme of it. I then mentally formulate a sonic picture of how that might be more deeply expressed. Following that, I decide on what steps are going to be necessary, what tools, in order to achieve that deeper expression.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Now, that depends on the project. Basically, gauge what is needed, listen closely to the project and execute whatever I recognise as being required. Often, I'll work from a reference in order to emulate a certain standard. In that respect, I aim to apply an "imitate, then innovate" approach, whereby once the reference is suitably addressed, the project is then free to take on more of it's own personality.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currently, I can work in several different studio spaces, ranging from a full-sized recoding studio to a smaller vocal production room and a mastering suite.

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

A: Although I'm a great lover of the mystery and mystique in music and creativity, I'm inspired by anyone who can simplify and demystify the process. From a production perspective, I've been greatly inspired by learning production skills through Kris Bradley, founder of BoomFox Productions and Produce Like Like a Boss. Studying her process has helped me to hone my productions skills in such a way as to shorten the time it takes to finish work while still maintaining a high standard of quality in the work itself. I've been inspired by Friedeman Findeisen at Holistic Songwriting Academy in his insightful approach to songwriting and production. I was inspired by the voice of Jeff Buckley, which inspired me to focus on my work as a vocalist. Formative years - I was a big fan of U2 when I was growing up, which largely inspired me initially to pursue a career in music. Non-professional - I was inspired by a girl I liked in high school to start learning to play saxophone. Granted, I already had the interest in playing, but it was a potential talking point, given I wasn't a very good conversationalist.

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

A: "Everything moves towards clarity, without which there is nothing." Stephen Sondheim When working with clients, I listen to what there overall sound and style is and work accordingly to enhance that, to bring into greater clarity in terms of they intended. This is the approach I take whether it's production, songwriting or session recording.