Guitarist-Songwriter-Producer

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

A: My band Kozen released an EP in the summer of 2024 called "Sunwaves." This was one of our most creatively ambitious and stylistically undefinable projects and, I think, a truly unique and compelling artistic statement. On top of being my best work with the band yet in terms of production, mixing, and mastering, the record blended tons of musical styles, multiple languages, unconventional instruments, and quite a roster of guest musicians across only 6 songs. I genuinely believe there has never been another record quite like it and would consider it one of my crowning creative achievements.

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

A: Most of my recorded work has been in Progressive Metal, but as the "prog" label implies, this has often involved a lot of overlap with and borrowing from other styles. My own band borrows frequently from Funk, Gospel, Pop, and R&B, and these are incidentally genres that I have been heavily involved with in live settings as a session guitarist. A lot of my live playing experience is alongside Gospel and R&B artists. I am also a solo singer-songwriter equally at home strumming an acoustic guitar and I have worked with many similar artists in that context. My breadth of experience is a big part of what makes me a unique and trustworthy collaborator for any artist needing guitar work.

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

A: Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park) has always inspired me as the "glue" member of his band - spearheading creative ideas and using his many varied skills to serve whatever a given song happens to need. He's been one of my main models for how a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist should operate in the creative process. The fact that he was also one of the first musicians I ever saw who shared my mixed Japanese-White racial background probably played a big role in how influential he was on me.

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

A: Most artists who approach me are looking for lead guitar work to elevate their song—often a guitar solo or guitar hook to spice things up. Creating a rhythm guitar part for a recording or simply playing the rhythm guitar in a live setting are tied for second place. Often, those two roles (lead, rhythm) overlap in the same song/collaboration.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in Logic Pro, but also down to collaborate via BandLab. Currently mixing and monitoring on the Adam Audio D3Vs. Recording through Steinberg UR22 (or UR44 for larger sessions) for my main production work and the Roland Go:Mixer Pro-X for phone-based social media performance content. Playing Ibanez RGMS7 and Ibanez RG1820X. Digital Guitar tones via IK Multimedia Tonex Library, Neural Amp Modeller, various amps sims by Audio Assault, etc. Real amp tones via Orange amps & Harley Benton Cabs. For modern Djent/Thall tones—Horizon Devices Precision Drive, Digitech Drop. For warmer classic Rock & Pop tones, TC Electronic MojoMojo. Vocal Mics: AT-2020, Samson Q2U Instrument Mics: AT-2021 My approach is maximizing efficiency from simplicity—using accessible gear to its utmost effect, and coaching you on how to get the very most out of what you have.