Composer

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

A: I was extraordinarily honored to be a part of the Tom Clancy Franchise within the music department.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a big open world AAA video game- yet to be announced.

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

A: I don't know anyone just yet, but I'm sure I will in the near future!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I love the fact that we can use a combination of either in this day and age!

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

A: Professional music! High-quality recordings, professionally mixed and mastered with analog gear.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like everything about this industry.

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

A: How much will __________ minutes of music cost?

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

A: I hope clients recognize and respect the expertise we bring to our craft—a skill honed over countless hours of dedication and practice that we can never reclaim. In an era of advancing AI, I trust they will see the value in hiring a true professional. Original music carries a human element, a depth of emotion and creativity, that AI cannot replicate.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually begin by asking for references and gaining insight into their creative vision. I seek to understand what they hope to achieve, the overall aesthetic they have in mind, and the specific type of music they’re looking for—whether it’s a trailer, film score, or video game soundtrack.

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

A: Reach out! I would love to learn about your project!

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

A: 1. Genelec 8341s, 2. The Dangerous Music Dbox+ 3. The Neve Portico Master Bus Processor 4. Any midi keyboard 5. Any PC and all of my sample libraries

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

A: With over 20 years of experience in music, my journey began as a drummer, progressing through the classic high school band trajectory to playing with various rock bands and recording in the 90s. I later pursued formal education in jazz in the 2000 era, earning a bachelor’s degree in performance and composition, which paved the way for a career as a professional performer traveling the world. My path led me to an exciting role as a drummer for the circus, where I spent my downtime licensing music for television. Eventually, I transitioned fully into music production, further refining my expertise in sound and recording through studies at McGill University. After graduating, I entered the world of AAA video games, combining my diverse musical background with cutting-edge production techniques to deliver dynamic, impactful audio production.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style blends the cinematic drama of Hollywood with the vibrant, emotional essence of Japanese J-RPG soundtracks. Growing up immersed in Hollywood films and classic video game scores, I’ve drawn inspiration from both worlds to create a unique fusion of sweeping orchestral storytelling and nostalgic game-inspired melodies.

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

A: I would love to work with Hiroyuki Sawano. Mainly because I'm a big anime fan and I really admire their work.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The principle of "less is more". In Music Production it emphasizes simplicity and intentionality, resulting in greater emotional impact and clarity. Simpler compositions allow listeners to focus on the core melody, harmony, or rhythm, making the emotional intent more accessible and reducing the risk of overwhelming the audience. Leaving space in the music provides time for listeners to absorb and connect, while silence or minimalism creates powerful contrasts that highlight moments of intensity or beauty. In a sparse arrangement, every note or sound carries more weight, enhancing the impact and allowing the composer to refine each element for a cleaner, more polished result. This approach also makes compositions more versatile, fitting seamlessly into various contexts, such as films or games, without overshadowing the visuals or narrative. Furthermore, simplicity engages the listener’s imagination, inviting them to fill in the gaps and creating a more personal, immersive experience. By prioritizing restraint and purpose, "less is more" ensures the music resonates deeply and powerfully with its audience.

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

A: I usually work on video games or trailer music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is bringing projects or stories to life by seamlessly blending creativity, passion, and technical mastery to craft the perfect emotional backdrop for your project.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Custom music compositions to match the tone and mood of the story Diverse musical styles, including orchestral, electronic, traditional, and modern Thematic score development for characters, settings, and story arcs Collaboration with creators to synchronize music with visual storytelling High-quality recording, mixing, and mastering for polished final production

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process typically begins with gaining a deep understanding of the creative vision. I may request a creative brief, story art, or, in the case of trailers, detailed information or even the final locked picture to compose to. Additionally, I ask for artist or style references to align the project's aesthetic with the client's creative direction. Once I have a clear understanding of the desired outcome, I begin the writing process. I usually present an initial draft early on to gather feedback, leaving time for any necessary revisions to ensure the final product aligns perfectly with the client's final aesthetic and vision.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio features a "hybrid" setup. I compose and produce music digitally ("in the box"), then send the stems to the analog domain. Each stem passes through my analog processing chain, after which I re-record everything back into the digital realm. This workflow introduces the sought-after "analog warmth" through the process of analog summing.

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

A: I am often inspired by my peers- friends of mine that work along side me in the AAA Video Game industry.

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

A: I often write music for Video Games.