Keyboardist, Producer

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

A: I co-wrote and co-produced the single “Been Like This” for Meghan Trainor and T-Pain.

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

A: I’ve been playing since I was about 4. I’ve always done production as a hobby, but have made it my focus in the last 5 years. As a player, I was classically trained until college, then I switched to jazz. Training aside, I’ve always gravitated towards pop music, and cut my teeth on the NYC club scene playing with all kinds of bands, across all popular genres as well as tons of session work in and around the city.

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

A: John Mayer. Because he’s an incredible musician.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use refs.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have the chops of a well trained keyboard player but I think like a producer. I know how to create parts that are simple, effective, and stay in my own lane.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I want every song I work on to be the best version of itself that it can be, so I do my best to always give my best.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For writing and production, it can start almost anywhere. For Keys on an existing song, I listen through and then play the first thing I hear. If I like what I did, I show the artist. If I don’t, or they don’t, I try something else. I’ve found this to be the best way to get to get an inspired performance. It’s easy to analyze and plan the magic right out of a song if you’re not careful.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I primarily run Protools and Ableton, but sometimes Logic and Luna, UAD interface, Prophet 600, Prophet rev 2, Nord electro 5d, 4hp, Korg Kronos, Korg Minilogue, Korg M1, Farfisa, Leslie, Lots of Pedals, mostly Strymon, OTO, Boss, Ibanez to name a few, a bunch of guitars, a couple basses and an embarrassing amount of VSTs and plugins.

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

A: Gian Stone, Jason Evigan, The Monsters, Max Martin, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Gene Harris, Ahmad Jamal, too many to list.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: That depends on the context, but whatever I’m playing, emotion is the top priority.

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

A: Steinway piano, B3, Juno, Laptop, monitors.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Lots of writing sessions, productions and keyboard session work.

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

A: Dylan Wissing is king of drum sounds!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Depends on the application.

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

A: Whether you’re an indie artist or a major label, you will get my best.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like getting to hear great music and ideas that I otherwise would not hear.

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

A: I guess one would be that pop music is easy to make.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Anything that might help me better understand the client’s vision. References can be a great way to communicate ideas.

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

A: Listen to samples and go with the musician who’s playing you connect with the most.

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

A: Pop

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

A: Anywhere from adding that last keyboard part that helps the vibe come together, to co-writing and producing out an entire song.