Pop Producer and Guitarist

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

A: I wrote an arrangement for a well known worship song for a church to play at one of their services. I'm so proud of it because it worked so well and the musicians on stage (who were incredible) brought their own artistry to it and turned it into something even better. The room responded really well to it which is always good too.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am producing a three-track EP for an artist for his first release. It's kind of Chris Stapleton meets John Mayer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I mean, emulation has gotten so good that there's hardly a difference anymore, but I have to say analog because it's more fun than looking at a computer screen.

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

A: Music is really hard and their a lot of technical aspects as well as creative. My promise is to remove as many musical obstacles in your way to create a piece that is truly your vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love getting to work with people. When I was in music school I always liked playing in the orchestra than playing my solo pieces. The collaboration is what I live for.

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

A: Someone sends me a vocal and I send them the instrumental. It's much more personalized than that. I not only want to explore the song but I also want to explore the person behind it and make sure they are making music that is authentic to their experience.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals with this song? What story are you trying to tell? If this song were being performed, what venue is it being performed at?

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

A: Focus on the song before you worry about the production. A good production can't save a bad song.

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

A: SM57 (duh), My 1971 Martin D-35, Pultec EQP-1A, U87, Minimoog

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

A: I grew up with music and have been producing for 7 years. I worked in Christian music as a songwriter and guitarist for the last few years, that's how I was introduced to the music industry. Recently I left that scene and at around the same time I had to leave the classical music school I was in for personal reasons. I am starting out on my own now trying to make it in the pop world.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Live instrument driven Pop with a compositional approach

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

A: I would love to work with Olivia Rodrigo because although she is pop, she has an edge to her music that would be really fun to explore sonically and bring in even more alternative elements while still maintaining a pop appeal. It would be a fun challenge.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid to use more than one drum sound during the length of your song. You could use a different snare sound in the chorus to bring more energy than in the verse.

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

A: Singer Songwriter Pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Part writing and arranging.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring an attention to detail in composition. Every element in a song serves a purpose and I want to make sure that purpose is established and is not conflicting with any other element in the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with the structure of the song and deciding where important musical moments will happen and how to build up to them. It's all about taking the listener on a journey and the song form is where that starts. I will spend a lot of time in pre-production so that we have a clear vision for the song during production. Next I will work with the artist on building the instrumental to help aid the storytelling. Vocal production is typically the final step in the production process before moving onto post production.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio that is built for recording live instruments. I record acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass, and drums. I don't have any analog gear but I have lots of high quality samples and plugins.

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

A: Chris Thile in terms of composition and musicality, he is on another level. Mark Ronson is one of my favorite producers because of his ear for talent and incredible musical knowledge.

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

A: Primarily session work and production coaching. Looking to take more full production clients.