film scoring | production

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

A: Back in 2013 I released a collaborative project with a Timi Tanzania, a Reggae musician from Philadelphia. I'm most proud of this project because I had an opportunity to work with a prolific artist that played multiple instruments (bass, guitar, keys) and was fluid with each one. I learned so much through our interactions, and the result of our work. We spent a few years working on the project...no rush, but chipping away at it consistently. Looking back, we were able to blend our musical influences together to make a totally unique style of music. I did most of the drum programming and mixing on the project.

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

A: it's easy

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just finished Grad School, earned a Master's Degree in Music Technology / Film. I'm working on utilizing my skillset.

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

A: I'm new...so not yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either one works.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being creative

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal sonically? What artists are you feeling right now? What is your goal with this project?

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

A: Find someone that you can vibe with.

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

A: Very long...purchased my MPC2000 back in 1997, and the FenderRhodes a few years later.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: garbage in = garbage out

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

A: Acoustic guitar, MPC, handdrum, midi keys and Macbook

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: That's difficult. I don't want to be put in a box. My style is fluid like water. I have the ability to change things up. I'd say my kicks and snares have to have some life in them and I need to have bottom sub bass in my music. It's a mixture, 30% Jazz, 60% hip hop, 10% international

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

A: there's 3...Black Thought, Erykah Badu & Common All 3 of these artists are super soulful. Their presence, energy and writing skills are so dope. Their lyrics are full of substance and they've weaved their life experiences into their music.

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

A: Rap, Pop, Instrumentals, and Scoring that has a modern urban twist.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skills is producing music that has a glove like fit to the artist.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Good energy/vibes. Songs are special and need to be treated as such. I tend not to get in the artists way and let them do their thing, unless they need the help and I'll notice that early on. I want to be completely transparent throughout the entire process, and serve the artist in the capacity that is needed to make the song shine.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For most scoring projects, I'm working with Logic Pro X. If your a director or producer I'm meeting with you for a spotting session before I do any work. I'm almost always doing revisions, but usually nail it on the 2nd revision. The first is more like a rough draft. If I'm working with an artist that needs music, I'm sending them beat packs, which essentially gives us a starting point for a project. Or they're send me a demo with a few references on where to go. I do find that most times, we end up doing something that is based off of one of the ideas in the beat pack, but isn't necessarily the exact way I made it. I'm customizing to make things work with the Artist and the genre they're going for.

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

A: I started out as a beat maker and recording engineer, primarily because I felt the need to work with artists from inception of their ideas until completion. As my career progressed, I began to move more into composing and now film scoring.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Most of the work I do is in the box. I do have an Akai MPC2000, Fenderrhodes Mark1 88, and a bunch of hand drums from all around the world. These are the tools that inspire me. I'm using Logic Pro X for most all of my work now. There's a ton of sounds in there (Alchemy). Plus I'm a huge fan of Output's Arcade plug in. I also use Musio to access high quality orchestral sounds. I have a few midi controllers by Akai, and a Simmons drum pad that allows me to play rhythms via midi with drum sticks. I have 3 pair of monitors Mackie HR824's, dynaudio acoustics BM6a mkii's and a pari of Audix PH5vx's. They all have a different flavor and it's good to listen to score on the smaller speakers, which sound more like a TV broadcast.

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

A: I listen to almost anything that makes sound. In my beginnings as a beatmaker, I was inspired by artists such as Pete Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Krush, DJ Shadow & The RZA. I studied songwriters such as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who wrote and produced Janet Jackson, and Baby Face, who wrote and produced for a whole bunch of artists. Now, my musical palette has grown and I'm listening to artists like Kokoroko & Yusef Dayes, and even Prince's later stuff. I'm also inspired by Jazz artists, such as John & Alice Coltrane, Herbie Hancock. Artists that weren't afraid to go left when everyone else was going right.