Session Guitarist

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

A: That's it's going to be easy and everything will come out perfect in very little time. It can take a bit of time to get the right part, the right feel, the right sound. But these are the details that I feel go missing a lot these days. We can record very easy with plug and play equipment. But dialing in and recording something that really stands out can sometimes take a bit of time. It's not always this way but more often then not it will take some time just dialing in the feel and sound to be just right.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I have to say digital because in the many sessions I've done in the last 20 years I've recorded on analog once. I do like it for the challenge but it's not cheap and it's not easy.

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

A: Andrew Coleman. Drew and I have worked together for many years on Pharrell, N.E.R.D. and many songs Pharrell produced and wrote for other people. Drew has worked with Pharrell since day one and has an incredible ear.

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

A: N.E.R.D. In Search Of... We recorded this in 2001. It was at a time when mixing rock/live musicians and hip hop was still in its infant stages. It was really fun working out all the technical details to make things work.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a guitar sample library right now.

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

A: You'll get quality tracks back. I have a ton of experience recording songs that are on the radio. I have a good sense of how to make a part sound modern with all my experience.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the process of making something better. It's all about the process for me. I don't sit around and listen to work I've done in the past a lot. I like to move forward and create.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Question: Are you going to use a real amp or a modeling amp. Answer: I typically track with both. I did the whole N.E.R.D. Seeing Sounds album with an amp plugin because it was too much of a pain to get a decent amp to the studio. It did turn out good but I have the ability to capture an amp, DI, and Kemper (amp modeler) at the same time so I capture it all. It all depends on the song what is the right choice.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of feel are you going for? Give me some examples of what you want. Is there a particular guitar sound you'd like?

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

A: Send tracks bounced from a 0 point and include the tempo. If you can include a chord chart that's a huge bonus! If possible try to stem them out. Again bounced from a 0 point.

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

A: My vintage '57 Tele. My Matchless amp. My Laptop and interface. My Great River mic pres and my Distressor compressors.

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

A: 1999 was my introduction into the professional music biz. My band was signed to Epic record in '99. Since then I've been playing and recording music professionally.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Skanky!

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

A: I'd love to work with Donald Fagen. LOVE Steely Dan. Love the funky chords.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Feel and sound/instrument choices are key! Trust and follow your gut. A little secret to Pharrell's sound is that he mostly doesn't quantize. So when you put on that Pharrell record the reason it moves you is partly because it doesn't have the soul removed by all parts being over quantized. There's life in the parts still. They are not quantized to be "perfect." They are played until they feel right. The way it would happen when recording to tape. What would some of the classic breakbeats sound like quantized? Probably not as good right. So just find the take that feels right and let it feel.

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

A: Pop/Hip Hop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Guitar session work. I'm really good in Protools so editing, recording and comping parts is very natural for me.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a session musician I approach a song like a producer does. I think that's the benefit of having a good amount of production credits and also working with Pharrell. From the years of working with Pharrell I've really come to know how to focus on tone, the feel, and what's appropriate for the song. Not trying to force what's not.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'll first ask what the artist/producer is looking for. Then on first listen I try take notes on what I hear. I'll then set up to accommodate for this.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Protools HD. Logic. Great River mic pres. Distressors. Universal Audio. And a lot of dope vintage guitar goodies : )

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

A: Pharrell Williams. Tricky Stewart. Ryan Leslie. Kendrick Lamar. Chance The Rapper. Steely Dan.

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

A: I do most my work in the studio as a guitarist. I've done quite a bit of production work also. A lot of the production work I've done involves groups with multi vocalists so I've got a good reputation for being able to comp and tune vocals really well.