Producer, Composer, Mix, Keys

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

A: Two great memories. Years ago when I was still learning to produce, a 16 year old girl came to me with songs she was writing and wanted to record. She needed to tell her story through her songs. She played a little guitar and sang beautifully, full of emotion - and I was sold. I cleared two days and recorded 4 songs with her and made an EP that I am still proud of today. Not because it is my best recording or production (far from it) - but because it is authentic, real, full of emotion and connects with everyone who ever listens to it. It taught me so much about being a Music Producer. Listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7jSbno6FNcd080qGya5HtQ?si=VV7GrDC5S6qybk7tJZwQEA

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Expanding the Really Free Music catalogue of cinematic soundtracks for licesning, alongside bespoke client projects in pop and children’s genres.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for flexibility and recall. With UAD, I get the warmth of analog while keeping the speed and precision of digital.

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

A: To communicate well and to treat your project with the same care as my own.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping people hear their ideas come alive in a way they never imagined possible.

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

A: “Can you make my demo sound like a finished track?” — Yes, that’s exactly what I do. I take rough ideas and shape them into professional productions.

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

A: That production is just “pressing buttons.” The reality is it’s about creativity, listening, and emotional storytelling as much as technical skill. As a Christian, creativity is part of who I am, and the outworking of my faith.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What’s your goal for the track? Do you have references or inspirations? How do you want the listener to feel when they hear it?

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

A: Look for someone who listens well and understands your vision. Whilst technical skill matters, chemistry and communication are so much more important.

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

A: No electricity on a desert island, so a good solid piano and a decent acoustic guitar is all I need for fun. (I'd make my own percussion!)

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

A: I’ve been creating for 40+ years and producing for 25+ years, with tracks featured on 300+ album releases worldwide. Really Free Music is a music licensor, publisher and label. We have 30+ albums on DSPs. Really Free Music grew from a music industry career that included time at various record companies, including Sony Music UK.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Authentic, melodic, cinematic, and heartfelt. Always focused on emotion and connection.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Here's two: 1. Less is often more. I can be tempted to overcrowd a mix because I love that 'produced' sound - but leaving space for emotion, the song starts to breathe. Someone once said 'Music is the gaps in between the notes'. 2. Get out more. Good song writing comes from experiences. And you can't have experiences if you're shut in your studio, office or bedroom all day.

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

A: Most often - Christian contemporary songs and worship tracks, as well as contemporary singer songwriter. I also compose and produce a lot of cinematic and ambient soundtracks. On top of that some pop and folk-pop, world music, and children’s projects.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Composition and arrangement — knowing how to take a simple idea and craft it into a finished song that feels both professional and emotionally compelling.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My production strengths centre around strong melodies, top lines and creative, layered harmonies and bvox. I like creating rich instrumental textures, and solid production. My goal is always to help songs connect with listeners on a deeper level.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by listening carefully to your vision, references, and goals. Then I sketch ideas, build a strong arrangement, and refine through 2–3 revisions until the track is release-ready.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Cubase 14 Pro running an UAD Apollo interface, loads of plugins, a wide range of virtual instruments, and several different condenser mics — a professional but flexible setup is the way to go these days.

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

A: I can't help loving Hans Zimmer, Thomas Newman and Ennio Morricone for pure cinematic scope; Jacob Collier for his sheer joy and creativity; Lady A for song artistry; and other new country artists for that produced sound.

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

A: Full song production from demo to master: composition, session keys, mixing & mastering. Also soundtrack work, worship tracks, and bespoke children’s/folk songs.