Unique Americana Vox/Harmonies

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

A: My most recent album is beautiful. I love the songs, the arrangements, the playing and singing feels warm and natural even though most of the musicians recorded remotely. I'm very pleased with how I was able to bring together the vision and I'm especially pleased because it'll probably be my last full-length album, as such. Well done, me. :)

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My own music, all the time, every day. Compositions, arrangements, recordings, videos. And I'm teaching my kids to play piano and run the studio gear. Good fun!

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

A: Well, I found out about you all from Breanna Marin, so big ups to her. She might perform similar tasks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because why not? It's 2025. I'm grateful to have come up in the analog era, but digital makes everything easier and more accessible. I'm all for that.

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

A: I will treat your song like one of my own.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Doing what I love. Sharing my gifts. Making my own hours.

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

A: How long will it take? Give me a week. If I need more time (because I'm on tour, for example) I'll let you know.

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

A: That singing is the easiest role in the band. It is probably the most glamorous but it is also the most personal and physically demanding. Probably the most rewarding, too - this from someone who's done it all.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have reference tracks? What is the emotional statement you're looking to create? How would you like me to approach this project?

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

A: Communicate!! Let me know what you have in mind. Do you want a ton of harmonies everywhere? Do you prefer oooohs in one place? What is your vision? How open are you to my interpretations?

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

A: Assuming there's electricity on this desert island, I'd bring my looper (that includes everything to set it up, speakers, cables, mic and all). My acoustic guitar. My keyboard, a cajon & a djembe (And ideal some other people to swap and harmonise with)

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

A: I started out singing in church. For a few decades, I thought of myself as a singer/songwriter - played acoustic guitar and sang my originals. Then, I started vocal looping spiritual chants during the lockdown. That led me on a path to leading choirs/workshops. Now, I'm toying with all sorts of instrumentation and learning more about Logic Loops.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Americana, SoulFolk. There are acoustic elements, as well as plenty of spice from my upbringing in the Southern Baptist tradition.

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

A: I like Jason Mraz's subtle spirituality. I think we'd vibe.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Start with the first thing that comes to mind. Then try to surprise yourself. That doesn't mean getting weird (necessarily). It means expanding your idea of what's possible and letting yourself play.

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

A: Americana - gospel through pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the space between - finding the unexpected.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Authenticity. I never phone it in. Unique polyrhythmic harmonies. I try to find something not everyone would sing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If I'm adding backing vocals, for example, I'll listen until I start naturally singing something. While I can sing typical parallels harmonies, I enjoy finding unexpected harmonies and countermelodies, especially if I like a song. Once I've got something I like, I'll record a scratch version and then build the rest of the parts around that.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Logic Pro, a Presonus interface and Neumann microphones. I'm in a dedicated/treated studio space on a farm in rural Germany. Living the dream.

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

A: Anyone making music is showing up to their creativity. Regardless of whether I enjoy the style, I admire the dedication.

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

A: I'm an independent singer/songwriter/choral composer. I mainly work for myself. I release music that brings me joy. When I am working for clients, it's usually adding background vocals to a performance. Occasionally I offer live support, playing acoustic guitar, bass or percussion in addition to singing.