R&B Producer | Songwriter

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

A: I produced a solo album, from which I sampled vocal clips from 10 years of previous. It was an experimental project, and also a nostalgia trip, hearing artist friends' vocals from sessions almost a decade ago.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Demo songs to attract new clients.

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

A: Amiide. I worked with her on a song, and she laid down some great vocals. She's also a producer too!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I use more digital though because I move around a lot.

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

A: I promise my clients high-quality productions either before or on the deadline date.

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

A: Some don't think I write music. I produce, write songs, and mix.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. What song references would you like me to hear? 2. Do you need songwriting assistance? 3. When's the deadline?

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

A: Be open-minded to the type of music you can make and not just what you hear. There's too much of the same thing out right now.

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

A: Well, an island doesn't have outlets, so an acoustic guitar, harmonica, and some bongos.

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

A: I've been producing music for 20 years. I'm self-taught and never had any training, just lots of trial and error. Professionally, my career track was becoming an Art Director at a creative agency. I realized agency culture wasn't the best fit for me, and I changed trajectory into software.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Alternative electronic/r&b

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

A: Pharrell. Being from the DC, Maryland, Virginia area, he's probably my biggest inspiration.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Stop trying to make songs so loud! lol Vocals sat in a mix so much better back in the 70s/80s/90s

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

A: Alternative R&B / Electronic

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Definitely coming up with concepts for beats and lyrics. I'm really fast at it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the gap between catchy and different. Most commercial music is catchy because it sounds like something else. Whether it's my sound design choices, lyric wording, or sounds I incorporate, I always bring a uniqueness that isn't synthesized. It's just my sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm working with a vocalist, I always ask for references. I want to know what the artist is thinking so I can chords they can create a melody for. For beat/instrumental-first productions, I usually start with the chords. Even if I'm making a beat with no lyrics, I still use the method "jibberish" to create melodies that might work for the beat.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Ableton Live 12, KRK System Monitors, Audio Technica Mic, PreSonus Audio Interface, Cordoba Nylon Electric Acoustic.

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

A: I'm inspired by artists/producers utilizing ambient and low-frequency synths/piano, such as PartyNextDoor, James Blake, Joji, and Keshi..Frank. I also like producers who make hits with a minimalist approach to production, such as The Neptunes and Majid Jordan.

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

A: I produce R&B, Downtempo, Synth Pop, and Electronic instrumentals/beats for singers & songwriters. I'm also a songwriter for R&B and Electronic music.