male rock and pop vocalist

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Rock voice with a blues influence would be my strong point I suppose. I also do good folk voice too, but have many genres on my Soundcloud account. I love to create fusion type music with cross genres and I can help you write vocals too!

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

A: I really don't need to, I am really happy creating music in my own little Electrobuddha world!I love everything from Stevie Wonder through to The Beatles and Stones.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Microphne technique, be careful when singing those words that start with a letter 'S' as this usually results in sibilince. Release the S and P words lightly from the lips! Put a sock over your microphone to act as a pop shield!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A great voice I hope original, incomparable and unique! Something different with often a bluesy / rock feel. I also do singer / songwriter folksy material quite well too. Just check out my Soundcloud page at www.soundcloud.com/electrobuddha-1 and stroll through the various genres there for ideas.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It is quite simplistic really! I have a great brand new Shure SM58 microphone. I have an Alesis usb 8 channel mixing desk. This is all linked up to a Dell laptop a year old running Sony Acid 10 software and I also use Goldwave in the mixing process or I can give you the raw wav files unprocessed too.

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

A: Goodness, my influences are many. I suppose if I were to take singers who have influenced me I would say there are quite a few. Standout talents perhaps are Nick Drake, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger, Kula Shaker, Lou Reed, Serge Gainsbourg, Richie Havens and possibly Arthur Lee from Love. I think I have a unique vocal sound that is maybe hard to compare who I sound like but one newspaper review compared me to Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy.

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

A: Well, playing as a backing vocalist and touring was real fun and a proud moment going out on tv to 18 million! Wow. My brother said to me that day. You made it!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Style, genre. melody vocal register, timbre of voice, who do you want me to sound like? Lyrics, your notes and what kind of vocals you require.

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

A: Be flexible, patient, kind and understanding of what you are asking me to do If I am unable to do what you ask I will tell you upfront. I am not a charlatan! Honesty policy always works. I need you to supply me with a small list of notes on the song from your perspective and your wishes for the vocals and a lyric sheet.

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

A: Started writing songs in my bedroom aged 17, honed songwriting skills. In bands locally from 19 then by 21 was in city bands in Glasgow in rock genre. By 24 was in a grunge band as male vocalist and we came 3rd place in Britain in BBC Radio 1 Rock Wars. Went on to university where I fronted a singer songwriter band, sung big band jazz and fronted a funk / acid jazz outfit too who were invited on to BBC Radio Scotland a few times singing live there. Was tutored at university vocally by leading Scottish vocal tutor - Lorna Brooks (google her), and went on to do backing vocals for Horse MacDonald (google her too) a legendary Scottish female vocalist. Played and toured with her briefly. On leaving university recorded with the acid jazz band at Riverside Studios Glasgow and gigged across that city. Went to live in Stockholm and sang and recorded as a folk duo, but we dabbled and recorded dance and electronic music too. I learned more harmony skills here. Came back to Scotland and released my first DIY album called 'Bleep, Whirr, Disco!' under the artist name Electrobuddha and was reviewed by Glasgow Daily Record who said...'Sounds like The Rolling Stones meets The Beta Band with Hendrix and James Brown on decks!'

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: New album of 10 to 12 tracks. You can hear a example of a new song with a low vocal register at www.soundcloud.com/electrobuddha-1/eternal-light It is a song about my late parents.

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

A: Nope just new here! But hopefully I will make good friends

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, analogue is warmer though and vocally we are all analogue!

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

A: To do the best I can and be as professional as I can offering a great product.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I am a natural born singer I believe and I love it! I can be anyone within reason that I want to be vocally!

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

A: ask as many as possible. Clarity is everything!

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

A: That it is easy, a breeze! It has taken me 30 years to get this voice starting ff as a complete novice in my bedroon through intensive vocal studies and university degrees to folk, blues, rock and grunge etc. Many bands, many cities, tours, and many genres.

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

A: Acoustic guitar and me voice a bottle of rum and a good supply of cigarettes! Oh and a hammock!

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

A: Rock, Blues, Dance, Electronica Singer songwriter, Folk, Pop, and more...

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The ability to change genres. Overcoming difficulties. Harmonies like Crosby Stills and Nash perhaps.

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

A: I am studying vocals fulltime on my Master of Arts in Songwriting course at University of West of Scotland and have over 30 years singing experience.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: To lay down vocals, I sometimes record a simple guide track. If harmonies are required I will lay them down after the guide vocal. I will work on getting harmonies as near perfect as possible, then take guide vocal out and record and re-record the main vocal until it is damn near perfect!