Mars Today on SoundBetter

After producing/co-writing music for such artists as Kyle Dion (SUGA album), Aaron Childs, Destin Conrad, Phabo, Jahkoy, M.I.L.K, Siaira Shawn and more, I have proven that I have a keen ear for songwriting and production that can cut through the noise. My music has 15+ million streams as an artist, and 100+ million as a producer/writer.

Whether you need a producer, a melody writer, a powerful lyricist, a tasteful drum programmer, or an executive producer to put together a team around you... look no further! An expert at writing poetic and descriptive lyrics, with a great ear for harmony, I can help bring your songs to the next level. Songs I produced/co-wrote have been streamed hundreds of millions of times, weaving their way into popular culture via playlists & television/movie syncs (Ballers/Insecure/Pretty Little Lies/She-Hulk Attorney at law...). The work for hire I have done for children's show "Storybots" on Netflix/Youtube has close to a billion views. The samples I have sold via Splice have landed on multiple Grammy Nominated Albums (Burna Boy, Jon Batisté). My real secret is that I work incredibly hard to make things that I actually think are cool, and use my personal taste as the north star while I work.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Mars Today

Mirror Gazer
Meaghan Maples
Equipto x Otayo Dubb
Digital Martyrs
Kyle Dion
M.I.L.K. (2)
Meaghan Maples

Languages

English

Reviews

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Interview with Mars Today

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I executive produced/co-write Kyle Dion's SUGA album, which is still a well loved and fairly well known indie R&B record that I believe will stand the test of time. It took 2 years and almost 30 collaborators to create and I think the intention shows.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Running a non-profit label (Over Everything), managing artists, developing artists, executive producing projects, developing an animated children's music show, running a sample label (One Stop Shop), and trying to be a good dog dad.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: KM (Merges) is one of my favorite songwriters and vocal arrangers. Hire her while you still can
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Depends on the song, but these days I try to get more noise and air into my records to help them stand out against the vastly digital-only landscape. And because it sounds good.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will do my best to make something that I would actually like as a listener, that's the only way I can feel confident that it will work out once released. I have done this enough times to know that if I like it, it stands a good chance.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Helping artists break through.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: N/A
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: that I have a great understanding of music theory. I let my ear guide me.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I usually ask for a reference playlist of your favorite stuff to listen to currently so I can better gauge your current taste and inspirations.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: choose someone who has a history of making music that actually cuts through on its own.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Computer, Interface, Mic, Guitar, Midikeyboard.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been doing this professionally for almost 20 years. Started as a rapper/beat maker, became a producer/songwriter/singer, ended up as an artist developer.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Soulful, thoughtful, emotive, groovy, universally enjoyable without being watered down or stemming from direct replication.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Dijon or Brittany Howard. They are both stand out generational artists who stay pure and make art that feels true to them.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Let the song guide you.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Most of my success has been in the Alt R&B & indie pop lanes, but I am also a great producer for hip-hop, more folk leaning songs, as well as dancehall/island music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Knowing how to turn an ok song into a great one, from production to arrangement to lyrics.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My taste as a listener drives me as a producer/writer, and thus far has proven itself. I have found that if I make something I love, the world tends to agree.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: This really depends on what is needed. If building from scratch I prefer to get a solid chord progression/arrangement in place, record a bunch of melodies with gibberish until I hear a great melodic top-line, and then go in with precision on the final lyric writing/cutting until we get something amazing that maintains the listeners interest.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have an amazing home studio with Focal Twinbe monitors and matching sub, a great 500 series rack for my vocals & instruments, vintage amps and synths, amazing outboard pedal rigs setup as sends, quirky effect boxes to get weird, a full drum kit and percussion setup running through API pre's, vintage and unique mics, and all the plug ins a man could ever need.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Robin Hanibal, D-Mile, INFLO, Quincy Jones, Pharell, Jeff Gitty, Mk.GEE, Dijon, Kate Bollinger
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I usually land in the executive producer role, and have co-written at least 90% of the music I have helped make. Also frequently brought in to tighten lyrics, or re-do drum programming.