Music Producer/ Composer

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

A: I'm really really happy with my first venture into the singer/ songwriter and folk areas with a song I produced and mixed and mastered for my best friend. They are like me in the sense that they also don't conform to a genre. I used prior knowledge and work with session musicians to make their vision come to life. We're still working on a release date, but I will link it here when it's out!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm finishing up a concept album with old and brand new songs about a relationship that was never meant to be. I'm also working on an EDM EP and my honors thesis for school.

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

A: Not really...

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital digital digital digital. I have NO issue with Analog. In fact, at school I use analog all the time. HOWEVER, I label myself as a traveling producer with a portable setup. That means I need to be fast and I need to be reliable. With my digital plugins that emulate analog ones, I can do exactly what I need to do without patch cables and making sure everything is connected correctly.

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

A: As long as you communicate your ideas to me, I will make your vision come to life.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like a lot about my job. I like seeing the finished product and the reactions it gets. I like the whole process of coming up with the idea, songwriting, production, post production, mixing. The only thing I don't like is not having enough time or stamina to do what I need to do.

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

A: I don't really have COMMON questions because I jump around from genre to genre. However, I would say the best way to work with me is communication. I can't do what I do without knowing the direction you want to take your work. If you don't know that yet, then let's talk it out- let's figure out exactly what this project will be.

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

A: This may be a cop out, but some people say "wow you're so naturally gifted". Um. No. The product I'm putting out now is the result of YEARS of practice and a LOT of failures. Some of my first stuff is still out on all platforms to listen. Compared to what I'm doing now, that stuff was absolute garbage.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What genre are you looking for? When do you need it by? What sound are you going for/ who's the inspiration behind this track? If they're comfortable- how is life right now? and again if they're comfortable- what isn't going well? Do you have anything started? Do you have a topic you want to focus on? Did you use generative AI to start this?

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

A: Patience. I don't know about anyone else, but I constantly have projects going on. Just this past year, I've started around 6 and already abandoned 2 album ideas. I'm still trying to fit the songs I have from the abandoned projects into new projects too. Music takes time, but when we get to your project, we will give it our all!

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

A: 1. Computer with Logic Pro on it 2. Any audio interface 3. Shure SM7B (with xlr- I'm lumping those together) 4. a midi keyboard 5. a guitar

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

A: My high school choir teacher started me on my production journey. We had a segment during freshman choir where we sampled us singing and turned it into a beat. Mine REALLY sucked, but I never stopped after that. Once that initial interest was planted in my head, I went through many different genres until I started combining sounds. Once I started doing that, I got into the music school (specifically the audio department) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. That was the place I was supposed to be, because now, 4 years later (and a semester away from graduating) and I have done so much. I've written classical pieces, premiered many classical pieces, recorded many different groups in many different genres, started my side project- Let Them Eat Cake, AND got even more comfortable with making beats and songwriting. All together, that's around 8 years of doing this whole music thing. Though I've been a music student for much longer. I got my start with piano at the age of 6 and really never looked back.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Laid back but still with a lot going on. I tend to go towards more mid-quick ish tempos, however I never seem to do something too crazy fast or too out there. I think no matter what genre of TY'O you're listening to, you could probably be doing homework, reading a book, or cleaning the house while listening.

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

A: OMG, I have so many artists I'd like to work with, but as a long time collaborator, I would say either FINNEAS or Benny Blanco. Both of them seem so chill and laid back, even during stressful times in the studio. Plus, anything they make is a hit, so I would get to see masters at work.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: This was a big one that pushed me to where I am today- there are no rules. Make what you want and if someone complains or says something is "off" you can just say it was on purpose. This is YOUR music, so YOU can decide what YOU want to.

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

A: I work on EVERYTHING. My main genre(s) are pop, alternative and EDM, however I have a side project focusing on rock and metal with a few of my closest friends. I also have my classical side where I write for instruments in a classical setting. I've also worked (mainly as a mix engineer) on bluegrass, country, folk, and jazz. Honestly, I only have one rule- NO AI. If there's no generative ai, I will probably take a stab at working at it.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: It's going to sound exaggerated, but I can find and make music out of anything. On my phone, on the voice memos app, I record many different sounds. Anything I find interesting goes in there and I end up putting it into my music. I also take time to sample everyday objects and make full songs out of them. Sometimes my music can have a creaky door, or a soda can opening and you would never know unless I tell you.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think my production and mix style is pretty unique so I definitely add to a song with those. I also bring my own experiences to a song. No matter what I'm working on, experience, emotion, and truth are the most important elements when making a song. No matter what genre I'm working in (mainly hip hop, pop, edm, rock, or alternative for me) I always put MEANING first. A song without meaning has no point. This is one of my biggest pet peeves of the music industry.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It all depends on what I'm doing. A lot of times, I'm inspired in the moment. I've written songs and produced beats solely around one specific sound that I found really cool. I've also started with interesting chord progressions and building up from there. However, my main process- the way I make almost all of the production that I sell to other people either starts with a drum beat or a chord progression/ melody and I layer ideas on top.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My personal traveling set up is very basic- I've got my MacBook Pro, an audio interface and mic, two different midi controllers (one 25 key midi and one more drum pad one), and headphones. I tend to go to studios and connect my computer or go to different locations and check my mix on whatever speakers are available to me.

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

A: There's so many! My biggest inspirations include Sickick, Skrillex, Marshmello, Andrew Huang, FINNEAS, Danny Elfman, Benny Blanco, Connor Price, Nic D, and Charlie Puth. I know that's a lot, lol, but I think that's why my music sounds like so many different genres- I create what I hear and put my own spin on things!

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

A: I have done a lot of things. I've recorded groups, mixed for groups live, produced for artists, written for artists, collaborated in a group. I'm open to doing any work that is part of the song making process.