Pop Topliner, Music Production

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

A: I’m especially proud of Zac Hart’s debut EP, Pieces. I produced, mixed, and mastered all seven songs and co-wrote four of them. Working on this EP taught me invaluable lessons—not only in music production but also about the music business as a whole. It showed me the dedication required in production, reminding me that the right answer is always there; sometimes, you just need to look a bit harder and take a little extra time to find it. I grew tremendously from this experience, and I couldn’t thank Zac enough for the opportunity.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical process consists of the following. Step 1: Listening and Familiarization – I spend a day or two living with your song, allowing time to absorb it fully and find initial inspiration for the sounds and arrangement it needs. Step 2: Client Consultation – Next, we have an in-depth discussion about your vision. I ask detailed questions to ensure no aspect is overlooked, taking Comprehensive notes to refer back to as I work. This step minimizes revisions by ensuring I fully understand your expectations before production begins. Spending some time living with your song before this conversation takes place gives us a valuable basis for aligning our creative vision, and in most cases, I find my thoughts naturally align with the artist’s. My goal is to deliver a final product that you are 100% satisfied with. During this consultation we will also discuss pricing to ensure we're on the same page! Step 3: Sound Design – This stage involves experimenting with sounds and arrangements, and it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the project. The more precise Step 2 is, the smoother this phase will be. Step 4: Mixing and Mastering – Once the sounds and arrangement are set, I will bounce everything to a new project to begin the final mix and master. I do preliminary mixing and panning during the sound design stage to get a better idea of how everything will fit in the final mix, and make sure nothing is taking away from the lead vocal. Step 5: Final Review – I live with the track for an additional day or two, listening on different systems to confirm that it sounds great everywhere. During this time, I also check for any unwanted noises, pops, or clicks that can sometimes occur with certain plugins. Step 6: Delivery to Client Step 7: Revisions – If revisions are needed, they’re handled per my mix revision policy, which is outlined in my producer contract.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Infectious, bright, and modern melodies and production elements, grounded in classic, timeless lyrics.

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

A: I would love to work with Sam Hunt because of his writing abilities and also for his willingness to test the boundaries of production and not worry about genres.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't distract from the Lead vocal

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

A: Country & Pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My Ability to recognize, capture and create infectious melody.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think I bring a lot to a song, some things include my Ear for melody, my Knowledge of music, my knowledge of being able to tell what works and what doesn't, but the most important thing I bring to a song I believe is my passion and love for music. I will not rest until I have the final product exactly how the artists wants it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is wherever I am. With everything needed to create radio-ready, professional music on my laptop, I offer flexibility and quality that I believe my clients appreciate. I use Logic Pro X 11.1 for production, mixing, and mastering, along with a high-quality Audio-Technica condenser microphone. Though I own studio monitors, I prefer my Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones for precise sound. Working as a mobile producer lets me deliver results more quickly and efficiently, saving clients money by avoiding unnecessary studio fees. Additionally, I play piano and guitar and handle most of my drum programming through professional VST drummers

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

A: Jon Bellion, Zac Crowell, Same Hunt, Shane Mccanally, Ryan Tedder and Don Henley are some of my biggest inspirations.

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

A: The Most common type of work I do for my clients is Music production, Mixing & mastering with a close second being top line melody writing.