Pop Songwriter & Producer

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

A: That I have a set ‘formula’ for each song. The overall approach is always different in some way.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What’s been on your mind the most lately?

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because there are plenty of plugins and ways to emulate analog now that sounds just as good if not almost exactly the same, plus your wallet will thank you.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as being whatever the song needs. I’d say if there was a common theme or any characteristics that ran through my work it’s that the music is intimate and authentic whilst still being grandiose and powerful…if that makes sense.

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

A: I would like to work with James Blake.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Treat each sound as if it were a character in a movie.

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

A: I have worked on an eclectic body of music across my career thus far which showcases my ability to be versatile and equipped for writing and/or producing in a range of styles such as Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, Rock, Indie, Funk, Folk or Singer/Songwriter genres.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is in hitting the right balance between melodies that are catchy, chords that are rich and lyrics that connect, ultimately aligning all facets of a song that audiences can relate to.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I want to ensure that the song connects emotionally first and foremost with the client/artist(s), band or vocalist. I bring a connection based approach that ensures the client feels the song conveys, whether emotionally and/or psychologically, what they aspire to convey. This is through making sure the lyrics, topline, chords, arrangement and production all align with the core emotions and subject matter the client wants to express, ultimately connecting with audiences that have been searching for a song that speaks to how they feel, ultimately converting them to fans that connect with the artist/client on a strong and deep emotional level.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is to work with my clients to first and foremost meet/call with my clients to find out what they’d like the song to be about. What’s going on in their lives at the moment that will inform the direction of the song, and what subject matter will they connect with the most. I feel this is imperative to the rest of the process. From there it’s creating an environment or putting myself/the client in an environment that we can then begin to create the bones of the song, creating a first draft and then tailoring based on the standards of where we want the song to be at, making sure the client is connecting fully with song, its lyrics, chords, and the melody. If production is requested by the client, then from there it could be an in-house development to create the world around the song, or if needed, to involve external musicians and artists to elevate the instrumentation and arrangement to the next level. I am a vocalist, guitarist and can play keys, however my skill level of these instruments only goes so far, so depending on where we decide to go with the complexity of the instrumentation/arrangement would dictate whether we involve other musicians in the fold, and ultimately, whether the client is already equipped to perform the parts required.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio set up consists of a Shure SM7B, SM57, a Focusfite ISA One Preamp, an UAD Apollo Twin Duo, a Fender Deluxe Lone Star Stratocaster, a Yamaha FGX5 Acoustic Guitar and Yamaha HS8 Monitors.

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

A: I am inspired by artists such as Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, Kendrick Lamar and Coldplay. Producers I am inspired by include Jack Antonoff, Rick Rubin, James Blake and Calvin Harris.

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

A: More often than not I am writing songs/topline for my clients and seeing through the production, whether as main producer or co-producer. I have experience mixing and mastering my clients work however prefer to outsource for this when possible.