Producer, Guitarist, Bassist

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

A: AHA by Emsea is my pride and joy. I was the producer and instrumentalist on all of the tracks.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on the newest round of Emsea songs, a single for Ashley Lawless, and my own full length album.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The music.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want the song to feel like? Why did you write the song in the first place? What's your vision for the future?

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

A: Probably two items: an acoustic guitar, a 5000 page notebook (for lyrics not the fire).

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

A: I graduated with honours from school (production & engineering) and immediately was hired as a jingle writer. For five years I wrote and landed spots for McDonalds, Ikea, Bell, Wal Mart, Infiniti and way more. Had some music placed on Orphan Black, Workin' Moms, Lucifer, Hudson & Rex, etc. Now I produce for myself and indie artists who are passionate about their work.

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

A: Metric. They are my Canadian heroes. But as Emily Haines has said "they were right when they said we should never meet our heroes". Well something tells me I'd like to meet mine.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Every song is different and requires specific attention. No two songs are the same just like no two people are the same. Everyone, just like every song, has something innately beautiful about them. The trick is discovering that thing, and amplifying or nurturing it.

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

A: A spectrum; indie-folk, rock, pop, acoustic, singer-songwriter, lofi, and electronic music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Guitar playing. Quick turn around times. Communication.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A saturated reflection of the artists vision, ideally. I like to think I bring to the song what the song itself needs, as if it's own living being with its own identity.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically it starts with a demo that the artist needs turned into a finished piece, so we chat about sound, instrumentation, and overall feeling. Next I record a demo, not a finished product, but something that should definitely face the direction of the desired feeling. When the demo's approved I move onto to final recordings, tedious vocal (and every other instrument) editing until there is a mix labeled "Mix 1". From there we revise until the track is finally mixed and ready to be delivered to mastering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run Logic 11 Pro on a Mac Studio. Universal Audio pre amps, Adam A7x monitors, plenty of coffee and purple mood lighting.

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

A: I've always admired any musical piece that feels like it was written with intention. Some artists I like are City & Colour, Beck, Metric, Mother Mother, Gracie Abrams, Kacey Musgraves, Death Cab, Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith, Jose Gonzalez. As far as producers go I really look up to T-Bone Burnett.

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

A: Taking a song from demo to final production, including but not limited to; recording (guitar, bass, drums, percussions, vocals), arrangement, and final mix with a round of revisions.