Rock Guitarist, Singer/Writer

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

A: A self serving answer, but an honest one. My solo album 'F.R.I.E.N.D.' with 01:25 has made me so proud, with it being the first published work of mine that I didn't compromise on in any capacity I can honestly say I have songs in my catalog that are unequivocally for me, whether anyone else likes them or not isn't a concern. Song structure, instrumentation, lyrics and melodies all written by me. Recorded and produced by Chris Wiseman who also co-wrote the newest "Our Sorrows" album 'Til You Dream of an Ocean' I highly recommend him as a producer, just a joy to work with.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on releases for both my band "Our Sorrows" and my solo project "01:25" as well as recording an untitled E.P. for a client.

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

A: I will never make changes to a draft just to have my name on it, sometimes you really did just nail it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I have to leave right now, but I'll get back to this I promise.

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

A: If the question is "Should I send everything over?" the answer is always yes. I would rather have too much to work off of than too little.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals with your music? Your goals with these songs in particular? What's your message if any? What are you willing to compromise on depending on the previous answers?

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

A: At the end of the day music is art, and art is subjective. There are so many talented writers and producers you can work with, so try to find one that resonates with the music style you enjoy.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Hooks. Not to go too far into the Pop rabbit hole but I think if you can find a way to write songs inside of your songs your listener will keep finding something new to keep them interested for a long time.

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

A: Nightwish or Opeth. Moreso from a learning standpoint because I think Åkerfeldt and Holopainen are two of the best composers alive.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Not necessarily production, but the best advice I've heard regarding the industry is that "Everyone knows how to play, just be a good hang."

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

A: Metalcore, Metal and Rock mostly

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication. I've been a part of many songwriting processes with faux kindness or honesty where many people have walked out of the room unhappy with the product and I'll do everything in my power to make sure that we don't end up in that position.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'm weird. I have a vast array of metal/rock influences from the European metal bands like Opeth, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, and Children of Bodom to the American metal/rock bands like Architects, As I Lay Dying, Haste The Day, and A Day To Remember. As well as my love for J-Rock bands like ONE OK ROCK. I also have love for Pop and Folk music as well, I truly believe that honest music is what makes the difference, and while we can attempt to replicate the bands we love, the difference maker is molding those influences into something honest and unique.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I am very open to what the client wants to do. If I'm allowed to tackle a song on my own and bring a full track to them after their goals established I do love being able to elaborate on the ideas that I have so they can hear the whole picture. However, I do have clients that want to be a part of the process every step of the way, and I'm just as open to bouncing back and forth with them to get to the finish line as well.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Studio wise, I have a fairly minimal setup with a Shadow Hills Mono Gamma, Rupert Neve 543, and SM7b for vocals. I do have a plethora of iZotope, Waves, and Archetype plugins for getting the right direction out of our instruments and vocals in the writing process.

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

A: I really don't intend to shoot myself in the foot here, but I believe in total transparency. As a producer/final mix kind of person that is not my strength. My strength lies painting the right picture with lyrics while tacking the top-line that suits it the most. I can, and do write full songs and you'll get that from working with me, but I highly suggest my clients to take the tracks and stems that we settle on to great producers and studios in their area.

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

A: I like to shape client songs around their hooks, as I imagine most writers do. The most common, and my favorite way to approach things is by having them send me what they have already, along with a few tracks that they're inspired by. I like to dive into what appeals to them about those tracks and explore whether or not they've accomplished that with their draft. Once we settle on the goal we had that direction, while leaving open the ideas outside of that that might just accent it.