Multi-instrumental Producer

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

A: I grew up making songs on my mom's computer in my bedroom. No mic, no interface - just the raw audio. I've been playing bass and guitar since I was 8. I grew up in a church where I was able to play in a worship band and this really helped me grow as I played with other musicians. During my senior year of high school, I competed in a national festival called Fine Arts Festival for guitar solo. I was able to win the 1st place title, Award of Merit in that category, and that granted me a full-ride to university to study music. After graduation, I began producing, mainly for myself and my personal artist profile. I started with Folk/acoustic Christian music and later branched out into visionary electronic pop. Soon after that, I dove head-first into ambient, cinematic, and R&B - to name a few. During that time, I began producing songs for others. I quickly realized this is something I love to do. I know how thrilling it is to write a song and share it with the world. To be able to help someone else achieve their dream of doing that is all the more fulfilling. All in all, I've been producing music for 22 years and producing for clients for a decade.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Eclectic, surprising, rhythmically interesting, beautiful/emotive, powerful, and explosive. (It's too much to list!)

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

A: I want to work with anyone who is passionate and talented. Passion makes the process so fun, and talent makes it pristine. The world is one song away from an unforgettable hit.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Acoustic guitar fingerstyle and piano - followed closely by electric guitar and bass. I have a very good sense of rhythm, and that translates to these instruments in a very original way.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My strongest area of songwriting is my creativity. I'm proficient on a number of instruments, so when I'm writing, I'm thinking in many different dimensions. One song may call for a banjo, another - the accordion. Being able to play so many instruments allows me to craft truly memorable arrangements - the kinds of songs that make you pause and double-check who wrote it. I can also produce in vastly different genres. I've done trap, R&B, Christian, Folk, EDM - the list goes on. Overall, I prize myself on my creative musicianship, and I believe that separates me from the competition.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'm all about connection. I spend my time talking to the client - getting the vision and heart behind the project. We dream together and talk about what could be. Then, when I have the parameters and the scratch vocals, I begin production. Most of my clients work with me remotely, so they send their vocals to me, and I build them a song around it, but I've worked with a number of local clients who came to the studio to track vocals as well. After the first version of the song is done, I show it to the client. we talk and bounce ideas off of each other and see if it needs any additional work. Then, we begin the process of getting final vocals, mixing, and mastering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I just built a professional sound studio! Everything from the sound panels to the insulation and mass-loaded vinyl in the walls was meticulously chosen to make the space as true and clear as possible. I run a simple setup, with most of my sounds and plugins being software. My DAW is Logic - been using that since I was a kid.

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

A: I'm very inspired by honest music from artists like Taylor Armostrong and Novo Amore, as well as the creativity of some of Gungor. Two production professionals that inspire me are my good friends Zach Mccord with the Mccord House in WV and Josh Leake, an ambient/electronic/pop producer in PA.

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

A: I do full production work for most of my clients. They come to me with lyrics and a melody, and I build them a song! I also do plenty of session work, mainly on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and piano.

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

A: I can't stop thinking about this one song I produced for this guy named Carlton. The song is Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl," but we completely revamped it to fit his vision. It's one of my productions I'm most proud of.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on two amazing Eps for some amazing artists. One project is very organic - Benjamine Williams Hastings vibe. Very Folk/singer-songwriter but also incredibly eclectic. The other project is more mainstream Christian Contemporary but leans more toward the eclectic and powerful side. Lots of massive moments! I love working with both of these guys.

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

A: No, not personally.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because who cares!

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

A: We're going to make great music that you will love!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I live to hear the artist say they love the song. Being able to produce that for someone on a mission to live their dream is the most rewarding thing.

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

A: Many people ask me if I'm comfortable writing a song in a specific genre. My answer is almost always yes - even before I hear what genre they're asking about. I have a unique ability to adapt to whatever the piece needs and it always turns out amazing in the end.

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

A: I'm not sure, honestly! People speak pretty directly about me from what I've heard.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to hear their story. Why do they want to release this song/ep/album. What's the inspiration and vision for their artist name 5 or 10 years down the road? I'm big on conversation, so I lean into the dream and ask clarifying questions to help me better align with that vision.

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

A: When choosing a producer, obviously confirm that their style fits yours, but most importantly, make sure that they are interested in going on the journey with you. It's not just a job, it's a journey of discovery. The best projects are the ones where the client and I can't stop talking about the song because we love it so much. Find a producer who cares about the creation and the journey just as much as you. Money is secondary.

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

A: 5 is generous! I'd take my acoustic guitar, drum kit (if we are allowed to call the whole kit one piece of gear...) Computer, midi keyboard, and finally my mic.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take risks! If you think it's too out there, just go for it! 9 times out of 10, it's what the song needed all along.

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

A: Electronic/pop, Christian, and Folk/Singersongwriter.