Producer and Session Guitarist

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

A: Kyle May - I've had the pleasure of working with Kyle on a number of different projects, and he delivers absolute gold every time. Legend. Isaiah Morfin - I've known Isaiah for 15 years, and he's possibly the best musician I've ever heard. His musicianship is something so rare and special. It's such a treat to hear him play sax, synth, sing, etc. I can't recommend his performances and songwriting abilities enough.

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

A: I'm already working with some of my favorite artists in Austin and abroad - which I'm very grateful for, but I would love to keep growing and working with as many as I can. I think a dream would be to work with Jon Hopkins and/or Band of Skulls - two of my favorite artists/bands at the moment.

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

A: I wrote, performed, sang, and produced an album with my best friend Isaiah Morfin (Izzy & the Fins) last year called "Rainforest Pop" for my project "Dual Citizen". It's a collection of songs exploring the depths of the heart and the duality of life that keeps things in motion. It's very Indie-Pop-Psychedelic and I'm very proud the body of work Isaiah and I put together.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working with some of my favorite ever artists from Austin, TX to Barcelona, Spain, which will be seeing releases across 2025. I'm also working on a full album with Adam Knight and the Squillante Brothers out of Brooklyn, NY. It's shaping up to be one of the biggest and most fulfilling projects I've worked on to date. Look for that later this year.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Yes... There's advantages and disadvantages to both. Analog 'typically' sounds better, and digital is 'typically' more convenient. I think a hybrid approach is the way to go these days, which is why I use a few analog synths, but also plugins. And I'll use a variety of guitars and analog pedals, but use digital profiling amps because they're very good and so much more convenient than storing a shed full of tube amps. So in short - both. Use what inspires you, and what keeps you in flow.

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

A: My promise to my clients is that I will give my heart to every production or performance, no matter how modest or grand. Whether you're aiming to play festivals in front of tens of thousands, or just for your friends and family, I aim to give it my all.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love how every artist and every person has a uniqueness that you won't find anywhere else. I love hearing the world through different lenses, and seeing what each person brings to the table in their own way. I also very much enjoy the creative process, and all of its peaks and valleys. Accessing creativity of the greatest and important parts of being human, in my opinion.

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

A: Can you do 'x' or 'y' or 'z'? My typical answer is "yes", or "no, but I can learn how to, would you mind if I gave it a go?"

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

A: I think there's an art to execution that is hard to define or describe with words. When an artist, producer, or instrumentalist has those intangibles - subtlety in delivery, great taste, great choices - you know it when you hear it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask a series of questions about the emotion behind the song, what is specifically desired, and if they're open to interpretation or just want something very specific.

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

A: Do your research - listen to each person's portfolio that you're prospecting, read about them, and try to get a sense of if you think the two of you would be a good fit musically and personally. Know what you need - be clear with the ask, and flexible with collaboration.

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

A: Prophet 5, PRS DGT, Kemper Profiler, MacBook Pro, and an SM7B!

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

A: I've been in and out of the music industry for 20+ years. I started playing and writing in bands real young, and went to school and graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2011. After graduating, I started teaching and doing session work for local artists and companies around the Bay Area, CA like Jim Dunlop. After that, I went into tech to support my growing family (3 kids). I started producing more and more during the pandemic and found a great passion for working with artists on the production side. I relocated to Austin, TX with my family for more space and opportunity, and to live in a music city. I left my corporate job in 2024 and have been doing music production full time ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is a rocker at heart who loves to groove.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Every step of the process is important. A great song is well written, well performed, well recorded, well arranged, and has great sound design, mixing, and mastering. Strive for 110% in each step of the process, and learn to enjoy the process (ups AND downs).

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

A: Honestly, any music that tells a story or conveys a set of emotions. I enjoy working on music that moves people. As of late, I've mostly been working in the Indie-Pop-Rock-Americana world. Check out my portfolio for a sense of where I'm at.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my emotional connection to music, and my attention to fine details. I have always relentlessly pursued tone and accuracy, and I bring that to the table with each song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my 20+ years of experience in the music industry, my experience of conquering my battle with mental health, and keen ability to sense and transmute emotion through sound. Just like this life, every song is a gift, and I hold a special reverence for the creative process. Music is life!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It depends on the song and what's needed, but I typically start with a conversation about where the song is currently, what is desired, and dive into the emotions and feelings behind the sound design and the lyrics. That usually gives a great understanding to inform any sound choices on my part, and allows me to understand what type of emotion to give to the performances. I will then track what's needed and submit to the artist for feedback, and we'll do revisions as necessary to get the best result possible.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is modest but mighty. I have a couple analog synths for tactile sound design and atmosphere, and a good amount of VSTs for everything else. I'm running UAD Apollo interfaces with most of their great preamps, compressors, effects etc. I have a range of guitars to cover really any style of music, both acoustic and electric. I use Kemper profilers with mostly M Britt profiles to achieve any amp tone you need. When programming drums, I use Superior Drummer, and have samples for any type of drum machine or live kit needed. My room is treated and can handle most basic tracking needs for mic'd instruments/voices. I also love using my pedalboard as outboard gear to get some really spacey / psychedelic / creative sounds from audio in my DAW. I use both Ableton Live and Logic Pro.

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

A: Anyone who can express and emote in a genuine and authentic way really inspires me. It's why I love partnering with artists. The world needs more reflection, expression, and healing through music now more than ever, and it's an honor to dive into the creative process with artists who are so talented and passionate about their message.

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

A: I do a range of work for my clients depending on what's needed for the project. The main services I offer are session playing, song finishing, and full production. I aim to work with all budgets and timelines, and try to serve what is best for the song.