Unique Producer and Songwriter

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

A: Randall Thomas is an incredible singer and super friendly dude, who I would definitely work with again if I got the chance! https://soundbetter.com/profiles/170362-randall-thomas

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

A: In 2018 I wrote a theme song for a game in development, and ended up working with a successful Jpop singer for the vocals. Turning on the Nintendo Switch and hearing those songs play during the game was a childhood dream fulfilled for me!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm composing and producing an original soundtrack for a game that's being developed, set to release on major consoles next year. I'm the composer on one musical in development, and arranger/producer for another one. I'm working with a handful of songwriters, helping them produce and finish their original songs.

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

A: Don't be afraid to think big... If you have an idea, there's a good chance we can make it happen!

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

A: Acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, accordion, porta-studio, and a crate of batteries. I'd record lofi sea shanties until I was rescued.

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

A: I tried to just play music to a hobby, and pursue other careers. Entrepeneurship, teaching. I succeeded at everything I tried, but felt empty, and kept returning to music. I can't stay away. I started taking apart MIDI (digital sheet music) files on my computer when I was 14 and reverse-engineering them to understand how everything fit together, like a child tinkering with a clock and trying to put it back together. From there, I expanded into creating my own songs and teaching myself guitar, piano, bass, drums. In college, I minored in music (UC Berkeley) where I took classes in classical theory, jazz theory, and musical perception. I also played bass in jazz bands and musical theater pit orchestras, played drums in choir concerts, and sang in gospel chorus. I studied abroad in Ghana, where I took classes in traditional African drumming, guitar, and modern African pop music. I moved to LA in 2017 and was able to go full-time in late 2017. It's been a crazy hustle, but I've managed to keep the lights on as a freelance producer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Now I have a small studio in the middle of LA and I have to say, I'm proud of myself. I never thought I'd be able to do this.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Unique, catchy, energetic, character!

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

A: I specialize in indie, alternative, blues, soul, psychedelic, vintage pop, musical theatre, and soundtrack music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I can create very catchy yet unique melodies quickly. I'm very passionate and a good communicator, so I always try my hardest to make sure everyone walks away feeling great about it!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Clients have told me that I'm really creative and unique in my approach. I try to bring vision, character, and energy to everything I work on.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I love when clients send me a rough vocal demo. I start by setting it to a metronome, and then layer instrumentation on top. That way I can make sure the production is always supporting and enhancing the vocals. Finally I produce, mix and master the track. I have my own production and mixing styles that I've developed to highlight the musicality of the song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a private project studio in a commercial building close to downtown LA. It's great for doing my own recording and productions, or recording one to three musicians at a time. I've professionally treated the room for recording, mixing, and mastering. In terms of gear, I've got guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, an upright piano, and a lot of smaller string and percussion instruments. I mainly record with my Neumann TLM-103 and Avantone CR-14 (which I use together to record in stereo) as well as a selection of dynamic mics like the Electro-Voice RE20.

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

A: I think the best music production is simultaneously familiar and catchy, yet daring and a little warped. Something that is easy to understand, but it immediately captivates you because you've never quite heard anything like it before. My favorite production from recent years are Lorde's Melodrama, Mitski's Be The Cowboy, The 1975's A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, and Lizzo's Cuz I Love You. I also love traveling. I have spent months traveling in West Africa, most of Europe, and across America. I use inspiration from the sounds, sights, cultures, and people I encounter in my work.

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

A: My favorite way to work is to take somebody's inspiration and to expand it into a world. For example, when singers approach me with a song they have written, I start by asking their music influences to get a taste of their aesthetic. Then I immerse myself in inspiration, and create an instrumental that builds on their vibe. I love building the instrumental around a rough sample of their vocals, so the instrumental and vocals work together organically. My specialties are original melodies, and atmosphere. I create effortlessly catchy, yet unique melodies, and then I use a combination of live and electronic playing to weave together a tapestry of sound. I try to think like a painter, contrasting different sonic textures and layers. I also love starting with visual experiences as inspiration, and creating soundscapes to match. Background music for movies, TV, games, and even instructional or tutorial videos is a natural use of my skills.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital is so powerful. Analog is beautiful and fussy and has character. I use them in tandem: DAW on my computer, digital recording interface, samples and synthesizers and midi; but I also record with a large diaphragm tube condenser mic, and I often send my recordings through a tube compressor.

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

A: I won't stop trying to make you happy until you are happy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I've never tried anything that felt this good for this long. I worried about getting burned out by music when I started doing more and more, but I'm more inspired than ever. I also love self-management and trying to grow a small business.

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

A: "Can you do ____?" Usually, yes, and if not, I can help you bring in someone who can. "How much does ____ cost?" It depends on what you want to do, but whatever your budget is, I would rather work something out then turn anyone away.

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

A: I do so much that it's hard for people to understand everything I do, or get a clear picture of what I offer.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your favorite musicians? What moods do you want your music to evoke?

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

A: I would kill to watch will.i.am create an instrumental from scratch. His musical ideas and motifs are incredibly strong, but he takes a lot of risks as well.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If a piece of music lacks contrast, it's forgettable. There are millions of ways to create ear-catching contrast.