Session Guitarist

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

A: I am particularly proud of the tracks I recorded and co-wrote for my band Broken Sun. We play original Americana/ rootsrock songs and I co-write and play guitars (and occasionally banjo).

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am doing several recording jobs for songs this week, some guitar sample recording and I'm working on some demos for original songs.

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

A: There are a lot of pro session players on here, too many to mention.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Working digitally has made things so much better and workflow faster. That together with the top quality sounds a Kemper (or similar) can produce with a good DAW is the best way to work for me. If needed I can also use analog/ tube amps etc.

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

A: I promise you will be satisfied and get what you need!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I create music all day, there is nothing better!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your song and how would you like it to sound? What's the BPM? Please provide a guide track (if possible with 2 bar click count in). What's the time frame for you getting the tracks back?

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

A: Read the session musician profiles and listen to the tracks they have on them. If it is to your liking; engage!

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

A: Tele, Fender Princeton, OCD pedal, delay pedal and a Pina Colada.

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

A: I have been a professional musician for 20 years now and I have been teaching, gigging and recording for even longer.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Musical and rootsy with enough muscle if needed.

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

A: Ryan Adams. He writes the most beautiful songs I would love to colour in.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to let the song stand out, not your personal part in it.

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

A: All kinds of stuff. Americana, rock, country, pop, pop/rock, funk, soul, etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Hearing what a song needs, translating that into music and recording it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I will bring in parts that fit the needs of the song and that fit in with your other parts. My parts will complement the song and make it stand out without unnessesary drawing attention to it and distract from the song itself. I will always make the part the way you want it the best I can.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I will load the song/ track(s) into my DAW and have a first listen to the song, whilst making notes on the chords used etc. Then I will come up with the parts needed and record them onto seperate tracks. When I'm satisfied I will edit (if needed) and export clean audiofiles (WAV) of the guitar tracks and a MP3 mix of the whole song with my parts for you to listen to and check.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I usually record with a Kemper Profiling Amp set up with a wide high quality range of sounds in it direct into the DAW/ interface. I have profiles available from most well known (classic) amps by Fender, Vox, Marshall, etc. Guitar-wise I have a wide range of instruments to suit almost everery recording; Tele, Strat, Les Paul, ES335, SG, Gretsch, 12 strings, acoustics, mandolin, banjo, lapsteel, bass, pedal steel, etc. Acoustics are recorded with a quality SE Electronics condensator mic. I have a wide range of pro plugins available in the DAW. I also have various tube amps by Fender and Supro available and tons of effect pedals.

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

A: As a guitarist I like players like Brad Paisley, JD Simo, Guthrie Trapp, Robben Ford, etc. But a a musician I like artists such as Ryan Adams, Tom Petty, John Hiatt and Neil Young a lot.

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

A: Usually clients bring songs to me to records guitar lead and/or rhythm tracks for. This can be cd quality songs, demos, etc. Sometimes a (rough) indication is already recorded for a guitar idea, sometimes I get to color in a track with no guitars in it yet. Whatever is needed really. It can be electric guitars, acoustic guitars, some mandolin or banjo colouring, pedal steel, bass, etc. I can also provide other parts, not necesserarily for songs (samples for soundtrack/film music for example).