NYC Producer w/ Billboard #1s

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Right now I'm doing a ton of work on SoundBetter. Shoot me a message and I'll send you some references.

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

A: There's a vocalist on SoundBetter by the name of Asha. We've worked together on many projects now and if you need a top line writer, she is the one.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an array of rare hardware synthesizers. I'm using a hybrid set up of digital and analog gear. ATC monitors with NS10s and and Avantone and also referencing on Audeze headphones. I'm using a Crane Song avocet for monitoring controller and Digital to Analog conversion.

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

A: We will work in a fun and creative environment. I'll be available to answer any questions about the project you may have. Deadlines and timelines will be respected. Professional equipment will be utilized to meet the current standards of the music industry. At the end of the day I'm looking for the client to be happy, I'm here to provide my professional expertise and opinion but ultimately any direction you are wanting to take the project in will be respected and implimented.

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

A: I don't think I really run into many issues there.. Maybe a technical misconception of how a process works or misconception about gear... which is usually easily cleared up through a quick conversation.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My own personal style is kind of dark and ruff around the edges.. But I like contrast.. so the ruffness and darkness is always contrasted with delicate moments. I value both digital harshness and organic lushness the same. Everything has a purpose.

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

A: Trent Reznor, Chris Corner, Die Antwoord, Kanye, Gaga, Marilyn Manson.. I like to work with people with unique personalities that are paving their own way.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Idea generation, melodic elements, arrangement, a 2nd opinion for quality control. I think a lot of the time what I'm bringing to the table for artists is a way to save them time. The technical side of audio take a long time to master. It is a time saver to bring someone onto a project as a producer that can help you get your ideas into something tangible without having to spend countless hours watching tutorials on technics such as how to EQ a vocal. On the creative side it can also be a time saver to have a 2nd voice there to say, "yes! this is great!, now let's move onto the next phase." Having someone to bounce ideas off of and receive feedback can help move the project along.

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

A: I find inspirations in a lot of different types of creative people. I'm inspired by someone that has a wide spread musicial abilities and can blend into many different genres as a producer... I'm also inspired by those that have a narrowly defined aesthetic and specialize in a specific sound. For my own music as an artist I find a lot of inspiration from visual cues, fashion, things of that nature. Sometimes I like to imagine a place, and people, and create music based on what would fit that environment.. whether that be a nightclub, a festival, or a more intimate setting.

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

A: Sometimes I'll work with producers that have technical questions. I'm always happy to talk shop :)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think one of my strongest skills I have learned is have clarity of vision and direction for art, I have enough experience at this point I don't really second guess things as much. I work based of intuition and I am able to comfortably bring projects to a close with quality in a timely manor.

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

A: Have a creative vision for what you are trying to accomplish, it all starts there. The details we can hammer out.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm working with an artist I like to just talk with the artist first to get a vibe of where they are trying to take the music. Maybe we will listen to a few things that are inspiring them at the moment. Then I might work for awhile and we will go over what I did and talk about if its the right direction. Repeat until we feel its a finished product ready to release into the world.

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

A: This year in 2016 I finished 2 projects I'm very proud of. One is an album for a band called Army of the Universe. I acted as producer for the album and mixed the songs as well. The other project was a co-production for JX Riders feat Skylar Stecker which went to #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart. That was my first billboard number one.. and I'm planning on that not being the last :p

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working with interesting people, making new friends, helping people express themselves, and seeing art being released into the world.

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

A: I've been producing my own music, DJing, and throwing club events for 15 years. The last few years I've been producing other artists and I really love it!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: A lot of times I'll ask for reference material. I'm really good at matching something sonically.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love both! Digital for being surgical. Analog for being alive.

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

A: Production / Mixing / Mastering A lot of times artists will take a song as far as they can take it.. and I'll be brought on to do the final touches.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Step 1: have fun ;)

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

A: computer, speakers, midi keyboard, audeze headphones, piano

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

A: Electronic based music. That could be anything from Industrial to Dancehall to Cumbia to Ambient to EDM to pop.