Guitars |Bass |Hooks |Arranger

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

A: I've worked on a lot of projects! I've been on extensive tours. I'd have to say there are two special moments: 1. Releasing my band Panem's debut album 'Zeitgeist / Absolute Monopoly'. A very personal thing, music I had hanging around for ages that I finally released having found the exact right people to play it with, and very close friends they have become. 2. Headlining the Olympia in Paris, as a session guitarist for a hugely successful band in France back in the day. A legendary venue especially for a young geezer like me (I was 22 or 23 if I remember well).

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My band's second album. Tracking is done, vocals yet to be done and then mixing (love this part) and mastering, before the leaping here-we-go-again roller coaster process of pitching, promotion and touring.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They are complementary. Any analog vs. digital debate is BS.

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

A: To give it my all.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Everything. Even the gruesome post-gig load ins, believe it or not. But first and foremost, what I love most is the whole creation process, from the utter joy of coming up with the right idea, carving it into a song, all the way to holding the vinyl record (yes, I'm that old...)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: All of the above. Also, some background for the song so I can get the vibe and what sort of timeframe we're looking at.

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

A: Probably to have a clear idea of what they want; Either something precise, with one or two references maybe. Or things aren't exactly defined, maybe keep an open mind and be straightforward.

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

A: An acoustic guitar, a tent, some paper and a pen, and my cats. Those who answer this question by saying they'll take their audio interface and computer are probably not aware that there would be no electricity on the desert island, right?

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

A: I've been in this business for 30 years. Both as a session / touring musician and writing, releasing and performing my own music. Although being a self-taught musician, I've also had a career in teaching music: guitar and bass lessons, musicianship classes, ear training and music theory classes.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have no style! I'm utterly multi-faceted. So much for categorisation eh? I simply don't know.

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

A: Far too many to name... I'll go with Sting, Noa and Seal. Because they are my personal triumvirate of my 'ideal' music: subtle, intricate, soulful, meaningful lyrics, unbelievable musicianship, compelling, and yet, catchy. I'd add Iron Maiden (yes, you read correctly) because... because Up The Irons! They are why I picked up the guitar in the first place (not a metalhead at all, but a 'Maiden head' shall we say). And finally, Dhafer Youssef for the experience and the challenge of making such beautiful yet rhythmically complicated music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Although there are no preconceptions, obviously there are a few tricks that work all the time. Generally speaking, try to get the sound right when tracking, get as close as you can to the final result you have in mind. The less processing afterwards the better. The 'fix in the mix' thing is a last resort option if needed. Also, 'It's all about the EQ...' And as a bonus: once everything is properly mic'ed up, randomly throw the odd, cheap mic somewhere in the room, interesting textures can come out of it :)

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

A: I work on a wide variety of genres. Rock, funk, world music, pop, pop rock, progressive rock, reggae, jazz, singer/songwriter, even some heavier (euphemism) forms of rock...

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Well, maybe it's my being obsessed by the song as a whole. I think I'm also quite good at quickly getting a clear idea of what a song needs, or so I've been told.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Emotion. Textures. Soul. Dynamics... I try to highlight the melody, make it shine.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'll listen to the song I will work on a few times, so I can try to capture the atmosphere and understand what it needs. After that, I'll just lock myself up in the studio until the job is done.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run Logic Pro on a Mac using a UAD Apollo Quad and their brilliant plugins. I have 2 Orange tube amps that are incredibly versatile and can cover virtually every genre. Being a Two Notes Audio Engineering endorser, I typically use their Captor X and Dynamic IRs for cab and mic emulation (endless library of top notch guitar and bass cabs + studio quality mics). I can also go full digital using the Neural DSP Quad Cortex or their Archetype plugins. It all depends on the project and what the client wants.

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

A: I'm awestruck by so many musicians and producers it would take ages to name them all! Sting, Seal, Noa, Gil Dor, Eric Johnson, Adrian Smith, Jeff Beck, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Nuno Bettencourt, Dhafer Youssef, Tigran Hamasyan, Ibrahim Maalouf, Trevor Horn...

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

A: Mainly rhythm, lead guitar tracks and bass tracks. I do a lot of song arrangements for singers/bands including song structure tweaks, chord progression adjustments, guitar and bass parts, and guitar solos.