Producer/Remote Mixing

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

A: I don’t need much to produce. These days, 5 pieces of gear would be more than enough. All I’d need are: 1. My laptop - equipped with Logic Pro, ProTools 10, and my waves plugins 2. Apollo Twin, a compact, lightweight audio interface that is easy for the plug and go 3. AKG head phones, I enjoy their comfort and durability 4. An Neumann TL-103 mic to lay down my ideas 5. A nice bottle of wine!

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

A: I’ve been a music producer for 15 years. I got my start by producing a rock band while I was in high school. The job fell into my lap as I was always in and out of a local studio. Eventually my tracks started circulating and winded up in the hands of producer/songwriter Josh Thompson who eventually took me under his wing. We went on to work on Joe’s signature album. My career took quite a bit of turns where I found myself managed by Eric Nicks, the senior Vice President of A&R at Universal. He managed quite a few producers, songwriters and artists including August Rigo (Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, One Direction), and we all lived in a production house in Alpine, New Jersey. Several artists from the label would come to the house and we’d have the opportunity to work on their projects. That gave me the confidence that I could put myself in the room with any artist and come out with quality product. I went on to set up my own production company, Good Company Music Group, LLC, where I’ve been able to develop and successfully release projects worldwide. The company and our artists continue to grown and we are excited for the future.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is very laidback. I don’t like to force things and like for the energy to dictate the creative process. Despite my laidback approach, I pride myself on perfecting my work from tightening lyrics and production to making sure that that the mix is clean and “radio ready”.

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

A: I enjoy working with highly motivated artists whom I can develop a relationship with. It would be great to work with some of the top artists in the industry but that’s isn’t my goal. My goal is to help break new artists. If you’re highly motivated and have a strong work ethic we will work together just great!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One production tip I can share would be to add elements of other genres into the specific genre you are work on. For example, if you are working on a “pop” track, add some “hip hop” elements to really help it make a statement - hard drum samples or sequencing can really make an impact. On the other side of the spectrum, introduce pop melodies into hip hop tracks to build big memorable hooks/toplines. This isn’t a foreign concept but if executed properly can have a huge impact on a record’s success.

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

A: I don’t like to box myself into one particular genre. However, I do enjoy working on Hip Hop, R&B and Pop music. My goal in each record is to develop a commercial sound that can be played across several platforms which has given me success on radio, tv and film.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is being able to push the limits sonically in any given genre. This helps my clients step out of their comfort zone by attempting new techniques and melodies. The final product builds confidence in trying new things and pushing the envelope in a particular genre.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring energy to each and every record. I love for each record to feel full and complete and enjoy adding all of the special “ear candy” to make the records unique and exciting.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It’s all about setting the initial tone. Setting the “vibe”. I like to learn about my client (outside of music) - their likes/dislikes, what they do for fun, beliefs, etc. That all sets the tone. I like for my clients to feel as comfortable as possible before we begin in order to bring out the best in them. The song tends to always be in our conversation. Once the tone is set, I begin selecting sounds that match the energy and shape around the concepts. It’s usually a fluid process, leaving everyone satisfied!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is built for maximum functionality. Perfect for both digital and live recording. I currently run ProTools 10 and 12, along with Logic Pro for production.

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

A: I am surrounded by some great musicians and have built a strong network of professions that keep me inspired and motivated. Mickey Shiloh, David Rush, and Phoebe Ryan are all close collaborators who have inspired me through their creativity, business acumen, and love of their craft.

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

A: I specialize in artist development and take pride in pushing my clients to achieve their full potential. I am involve from the beginning to the end of a project and provide then with tracks/instrumentals as well as constructive feedback on the direction of the song.