Remote Drum Tracking

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

A: Any project where I have been able to not only play drums, but help with the overall writing and arrangement.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My branding and my business.

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

A: If I am unable to provide for a client, for whatever reason, I will refer them to Gideon Berger.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital- it's the 21st century.

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

A: I will do my best to provide exactly what you are looking for.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being a part of different musicians' songs.

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

A: "How soon can you get the tracks to me?" I tell them typically within a week, as a I have a day job. Sometimes it may be longer if the song is long or they want more complicated drumming. If they need it sooner, I will do my best to make it happen.

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

A: That it is quick and easy.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What style of drumming they want; how simple or complicated they want the drumming to be; do they want minimal fills or lots of fills; is there a certain drummer they want me to emulate; how soon do they need the tracks.

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

A: Be clear with your expectations.

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

A: Kick. Snare. Throne. Pedal. Hi hats (and hi hat stand- guess that makes 6?)

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

A: I have played in bands off and on over the years. Since the pandemic, I have been doing more remote recordings for people.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like meat-and-potatoes, hard-hitting drumming. I like to add in fills where they fit, but not overdo it. If there is a part where I can be a bit more creative with a groove, I will do it. I also like to add little accents or flourishes that aren't too noticeable, but break up the groove.

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

A: An unknown or up-and-coming artist- just one of those people that you can tell has the "it factor" and it's only a matter of time before the whole world recognizes it.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learn as much as you can, but don't be afraid to veer off the path and find what works for you.

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

A: The typical genres I play are rock, pop, punk, hardcore, and country.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Meeting the client's needs.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Serving the song. This doesn't have to mean bare-bones playing, but rather supporting the song without overshadowing the other instruments or making it too busy.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically I like to find out what the client wants from the drums- the sounds, the style, if they want it to be simple or complicated, and if there are any drummers they wish for me to emulate.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I provide individual tracks for the kick, snare, rack tom, floor tom, overheads and room.

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

A: My biggest drumming inspirations include John Bonham, Tommy Lee, Lars Ulrich, Aaron Gillespie, Travis Barker, Eric Singer, Mike Fuentes, Dan Trapp, and Randy Castillo.

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

A: I provide remotely recorded drums for your songs. This can vary from raw, unprocessed drum tracks to full drum mixes. You tell me what you need me to do for your song, and I execute it.