Cellist, composer and producer

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

A: I did 2 pieces for a fire performer that I really enjoyed working for. I composed, produced and performed live on electric cello with her. A really good collaboration where we discussed the mood, structure and every part of the music so that it was tailor-made for her.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Composing music for a circus aerial performer, producing 3 backing tracks for a pop singer and recording cello on 2 pieces for spoken word poetry.

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

A: Maude Théberge is a very talented singer, keyboardist and composer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I work on physical instruments but the whole recording process is in the box. Analog emulations are good enough that outboard gear is no longer a necessity, in my humble opinion.

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

A: I will do my best to enhance their project while making sure they keep the spotlight.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like playing most of all but contributing to the works of others brings me joy. Either providing a cello part that elevate the song I’m asked to play on or crafting music that will help a dancer or other performer realize their vision.

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

A: If I can provide more than a single cello part, to which the answer is yes.

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

A: That string players can be replaced by a simple synth pad / that cello is only for slow melancholic music.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do they already have a precise idea of what they want (written or mockup part) or is it just a general idea and i need to come up with the music.

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

A: If you can provide examples of the music you would like, it will make the process much easier. Adjectives and even pictures can help me understand what the music should sound like.

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

A: A cello, an electric bass, a keyboard controller, an interface and a computer or iPad.

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

A: I started playing when I was very young with private lessons and then music college. I started playing with bands in the early 90s and doing studio sessions mid-90s. I got involved in theater music and in the early 2000s, started working regularly with dancers and circus performers.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dark cinematic with a touch of world music influences. I was brought up on classical music and then played in various rock and metal bands as well as pop musicians and these various influences show when I play.

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

A: Cinematic composers who need live cello or people who need cello parts on the more moody, darker side of pop and rock. I am also very comfortable with metal.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If you have to try to get an ensemble sound from a cello or other strings, it is much better to triple the part rather than doubling it because of the vibrato that causes some strange chorusing.

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

A: I work a lot on instrumentals, cinematic style with world music influences and often on the more somber side but I often have work for simple emotional ballads, as the cello is well suited for those.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have been told that I am good at quickly capturing a mood and expressing it through music, either as a cellist or as a composer/arranger.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I always try to come up with a part that adds to the piece without taking the focus away from the main element. I enjoying being part of a piece without stealing the spotlight, which is crucial when working with singers but also when playing music for danceers or circus performers.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If a part is written out I will play it as it is, If no score is provided, I map out the piece (tempo map, chords, structure) and proceed to try out ideas, I like to write my parts before recording but I also do improvised parts.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a few good microphones, an Apollo X6 and a Mac Studio, loaded with DAWs such as Luna, Logic Pro and Studio One as well as many plugins from UA, McDSP, Waves, Slate and a lot of sample libraries from Spitfire, Orchestral Tools, East West and Best Service.

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

A: I really enjoy the work of Tina Guo for bridging classical and modern music on both acoustic and electric cello. I enjoy cellists in different genres such as Apocalyptica, Yo-Yo Ma and Erik Friedlander.

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

A: I do remote recordings on cello and full arrangements in various musical style, mostly instrumentals but I also work for singers.