Rock Guitarist/Bassist

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

A: I have to say that I am proud of everything I have been a part of. I enjoy music and the creation of music. I have some songs that have not stood the test of time, but they provide fun memories. One of my favorite projects was when I was the guitarist in Demented Truth. After Autumn's Pain broke up, the drummer and I joined a band we often gigged with, Demented Truth. During our tenure in the band we put out two releases. I was the producer and engineer. It was a fun experience because we cut most of our tracks live and only overdubbed what we needed. I didn't use any samples on the drums and isolation was pretty good. I was able to create a "live" feel while keeping everything clean and tight. I still listen to those releases and smile because it was the last time I recorded a full band. I am happy I don't do that anymore, lol!!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am in the process of working on my own track, a progressive doom piece called "Dreams of Life Before Death". My trying to find a vocalist is what brought me to this site. In the process of communicating with him, I realized this could be an outlet for me to expand my own sesion clients!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because I can gt so much more done in a much more efficient way than when I used to use analog. I found that working in digital allowed me a better canvas for my creations. I am also a painter and I think of my DAW as a canvas and each instrument and plugin gives a "color" to that canvas.

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

A: I will work with you until you are satisfied.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating colors with sound. I love layering instruments to create soundscapes that create emotion.

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

A: Q - How fast can you get it done? A - It depends on what you want. Obviously something simple, like an improvised solo or a bass line that rides root notes is much faster than a complex lead line that occurs throughout the song and adds depth to the track. Q - Ummmm, it's not really what I was looking for, can you do it again? A - Sure. Can you provide me with a better reference track to help guide the direction I take?

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

A: That recording lead guitar is a "wham-bam-thank-you-maam" skill. Yes, if I am improvising an 8 bar solo, that is quick. However, developing a nice melodic line that allows ALL the other tracks to still exist in their harmonic lane while adding a new melodic element to a song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. How do you want me to provide the tracks to you - DI or with an amp sound? 2. What do you want the guitar to sound like - clean, gritty, crunch, crushing, smooth? 3. Do you want me to record with effects, or will you add them during the mix? 4. What is the vibe you want me to provide - laid back, aggressive....? 5. What key does your song live in?

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

A: Be clear in your communication. This helps give me the clearest idea I can have to begin working on your track. I will always ask question if I am not sure, but I have found that clarity from the client lts me get to work faster and provider a "closer" outcome initially if the artist can be specific.

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

A: Ummmmm, that would be kind of difficult!! I need electricity!!!!!

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

A: I have been an active musician, playing live and/or recording since 1988. I started out in extreme metal bands in Tampa, FL. In the 90's I stopped doing metal and moved to more hard rock/classic metal. In the early aughts, I flirted with pop rock and outlaw country. In the mid-aughts, I worked in Southern Rock. From the 2010's forward, it has been a focus on all of those experiences melded into unique pieces that take from all the above genres to create a different type of a progressive style.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Melodic and smooth. I like to think of my guitar style as Michael Schenker, Michael Denner and Adrian Smith gave me strands of their DNA.

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

A: LOL...beats me. This is fun for me. If I can score some work and get more experience, I'll improve as a player. So, to answer the question - I'd like to work with anyone!!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Give your tracks enough headroom to allow "sweetening" from your plugins. My drum racks sound SO much better if I record them with a softer signal and boost it up with "analog" flavors. I find that gives the saturation while maintaining the clarity, and if there IS an ugly overdrive that rears it's head in the overall mix, it can be dialed down or out. If signals are recorded too hot and then you add harmonic processing, you might not have enough headroom to make it sound as nice as it can be.

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

A: I tend to work with singer-songwriters. As far as my own music, I am a confident rock/hard rock/classic metal guitarist and bassist.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Hmmm, I'd have to say my strongest skill is my ability to serve the song. I am not a shredder. I can't (and won't) rip-off _________ (insert famous guitarist) licks. I will serve the song in the way the artist requests.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Well, at the risk of sounding vain...I bring ME to the song!! I have never been a "covers" guy. I barely know any songs that I did not write myself. Original music was my goal from when I first picked up a guitar at age 7. I am a player that sounds like me no matter what guitar or amp I play. Because of this, I bring originality to a song. My goal is to add elements to songs that improve the music while not making it sound like somebody else.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is to ask the client for the musical key and any notes that will guide me to where I am to play on the track. If the client has a vibe they are after, I will ask for a reference track to help me provide what the artist wants. I like to work with stems so I can mix elements up or down based on my needs to other parts more clearly. Communication is important, so I keep in touch with the client and provide updates as well as some initial examples for more guidance. I believe in allowing the artist to guide and "produce" what I am doing for their piece!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am using a PC with an RME HD9652 card and a Focusrite ISA 828 MKII preamp. My DAW is ProTools. I use Plugin Alliance plugins. My soft synths are provided by Arturia, East-West, Cherry Audio, and Garritan (for quick orchestral tracks). Guitars and bass are either recorded DI or with a Line 6 Helix Rack (client choice).

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

A: Honestly, I am inspired by emotion and passion. Who it comes from or their chosen style doesn't matter. I like to hear works from people that are creating and producing, even if the results are less than perfect. For instance, I'd rather work with a vocalist that has a vibe over one that wants to be edited to perfection.

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

A: Up until this point my clients have been singer-songwriters that need me to either write progressions for their top line/melody or to provide lead guitar parts to their tracks - this is less playing traditional solos and more working out secondary melodic lines. Sometimes I am asked to take an "acoustic" version and create an "electric" version. This will involve tempo mapping and then creating a new arrangement using "electric instruments" and drums/percussion to enhance the acoustic version of a track.