Vocalist

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

A: A project I worked on that I am especially proud of is a project I had no concept of. It was for DaDa JJ's 111. I had no foreknowledge of who that was or what the event was about. The group putting on the event contacted me to do a minute song for their event. All they knew was they wanted certain lyrics in the song and festive music. I was excited by the challenge of not knowing. Of course, I researched and went to work. That song has been in my head for months and I still enjoy it just as much as I did when I was creating it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have been working on my own projects. I am now ready to get back to my clients. I took time off for a while to spend time with my family and refresh my creativity with relaxation and new ideas. I provide my services through my personal website as well. For a moment, I had so many projects plus my own to take on more projects was not realistic. Now that I have completed those projects and have taken a long break, minus the time I couldn't log in and sound better couldn't figure out why I am refreshed and ready to move forward.

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

A: I do not know anyone on SoundBetter at all. I hope to establish relationships with other provider and work with them so that I may be able to recommend them.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog because it is less capable of being manipulated. No plugins or autotune or vocal enhancements. One either has the talent/gift or they don't. You get the real deal with analog.

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

A: My promise to my clients is to give my best. To treat your project as I would treat my own.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I like most of my creative works is the creativity. And I simply love to sing!

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do as well as what others like me do is we can put what a client requires together in 1 minute and $5 is fair because it is just music and/or vocals. That is the most inaccurate and unkind assumption. Music is the marvelous communication method that crosses all cultures and languages. It is creative and it takes a piece of the person creating it. I live by, treat and pay others as you would like to be treated and paid for what you do.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: The questions I ask prospective clients right away are what do you need me to do in detail, how do you want it to sound and feel, and what is the expected end. Sometimes one may say, "I want a vocal". Really. That is quite vague. "Sing this however you want". Afterward, the client may realize they wanted a more rock feel or gospel feel. Yet the info provided did not make that clear. I also ask do you have a sample of what you want to hear in the end? Most just truly trust my craft and the result is a five-star rating and an awesome review.

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

A: The advice I would have for a customer looking to hire a provider like me is to have the ability and patience to communicate in detail. We are communicating online only and I do believe this it is a good way to get better at articulating our thoughts, needs, desires, and emotions accurately. Sometimes a customer may not know how to articulate what they really want or even know what they want. Have examples. Many times examples communicate what we are unable to. Like I tell many potential jingle customers music and melody can communicate what written or spoken info cannot.

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

A: If I were on a desert island and could take only 5 pieces of gear I would take a notebook, a pack of lead refillable pencils, a pack of erasers, a microphone with cords and an amp. LOL.... I am not sure packs of pencils and erasers are considered a piece or if they are even considered gear in the matter. Needless to say, I can pack a lot of stuff that I consider 5 pieces.

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

A: I have been performing and writing music pretty much all of my life. I have done quite a bit whether it has been TV, film, recordings, or stage and have worked with a lot of top producers and artist. I have been signed to major labels and indie. I have in the past few years decided to work independently face to face and online where I can be more creative and keep my soul.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as pop and contemporary.

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

A: I do not have any particular artist I would like to work with. Many artists bring something different to the table that is advantageous on many levels. I wouldn't want to narrow this down to one or a few when there is so much to learn from many.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One music production tip I can share is to make your production clean, crisp and understandable.

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

A: The type of music I usually work on is Christian and Pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill set is my ability to provide an amazing vocal, character, conveying the intent of the lyrics and style.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The greatest ability I have to bring to each song is an amazing vocal but beyond that character, the conveyance of the intent behind the lyrics and style.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process starts by communicating and understanding all the desires and request of my client. I ask as many questions that come to mind discussing the project in full detail. We are communicating online so the ability to effectively communicate thoughts and expectations is of high importance. It is very important to that we get the best the first time. When are on the same page expecting the same results that is very possible. After I believe we are on the same page I start crafting and sketching out the best way for me to move forward effectively and efficiently. If I am only providing vocals or doing a full jingle production each has a different process. Though it all starts as stated above.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio set up is professional. You benefit from the use of my nueman mic which is the best in the business. I love the warmth and clarity it provides. I also use the avalon compressors and a lot of soundproofing. I use several DAW's such as Protools, Adobe, and Fruity Loops. I provide a clean sound most of all. That is very important to me because I like a clean sound on my own personal works.

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

A: I am inspired by an array of musical works from classical to Broadway, from pop to grunge. Not so much one or a few artists or producers particularly but mostly songs and a culmination of instruments and melodies that resonate with me that I can tune my ear to.

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

A: The most common type of work I do for clients is creating full jingle productions from start to finish. Meaning I consultant with the client their objectives, write the lyrics and melody, create the musical composition, sing it, mix and master it. I also commonly provide songwriting and melody services along with full vocal production inclusive of leads, background harmonies, and adlibs sometimes mixing and mastering.