Music Production and Mixing

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, depending on the artist and what the song needs. I mostly work in the digital realm due to cost and flexibility, but if I could also afford a tape machine, console, or wall of classic preamps, EQs and compressors, I'm sure they would find their way into my studio too.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being able to work on music as much as possible, and being able to use my skills to help people realise their creative visions. Those are probably the most rewarding things for me.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have any demos for me to listen to? What's your vision for this project? How can I help us achieve that?

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

A: A laptop with Pro Tools, a high quality interface, a U87, a Fender tele, and a MIDI controller.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I try to focus on the artistic process as much as possible. Create a vision with the artist for the project. Hone in on the emotional message and impact of the work. Always be open to trying creative ideas. Approach each session with passion, patience, and good spirits.

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

A: Too many to name! But if I had to choose one person, I'd probably say someone like Julien Baker. I can't listen to her voice without getting goosebumps.

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

A: My main genres of experience lie in rock and metal genres, including indie rock, emo, alternative rock, progressive metal and rock, shoegaze, heavy metal, pop rock, and plenty more. But more than that, I'm interested in any music that has an emotional impact for me, no matter what genre. Whether that's rock, metal, pop, folk, experimental, electronic, hip-hop, whatever. That's more important to me.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I feel that I'm able to really hone in on the emotional impact of a song. I get goosebumps when something hits me the right way, and I always aim to find the element (or combination of elements) that gives me that reaction when listening to something or working on a song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I feel that I have a large toolbox of skills that I can bring to a song, including producing, engineering, songwriting, multiple instruments, and communication skills. The important thing, though, is what tools are actually needed for each song, which is of course entirely individual. What I always bring to a song though, regardless of this, is a passion for what I do, care, patience, honesty, and some good humour to help us through the process.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually like to listen to a demo of a song that I'm going to be working on, however raw it may be. Once I've heard it a few times, my mind is usually buzzing with ideas that I feel will help hone in on whatever message that song is trying to convey. I then like to discuss these with the artist and work with them to make sure we're on the same page and they're happy with the creative direction of the song. Then it's on to producing, recording, and mixing, all the while keeping our vision and goals in mind. I always like to leave room and time for creativity and inspiration to strike too. You never know what idea might help really complete a song.

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

A: Producers and engineers who really inspire me are people like Rick Rubin and Eric Sarafin, who remind us to focus on the artistry, feel, and emotions of the music above all else. Some other notable names for me include Andrew Scheps, Jake Ewald, Geoff Emerick, Daniel Lanois, Nigel Godrich, Andy Wallace, Sylvia Massy, and Al Schmitt.

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

A: Usually I'm producing and helping with songwriting, and/or mixing.