Pianist/Composer/Keyboardist

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Highly melodic, bringing elements of jazz, popular music and contemporary classical styles together in an engaging way.

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

A: ohhhh... there's so many. Incredible singers like Gregoy Porter, Alison Krauss, Lianne La Havas and Chris Thile.. working with them would be a real treat. Theres'a real joy playing with singers that are deeply melodic and emotive in what they bring to the music. Then, masterful instrumentalists - drummer Mark Guiliana, anyone from Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny - getting a vibe for how they craft their parts would be insightful. Songwriters - Peter Gabriel, The Punch Brothers, Jon Hopkins, Olafur Arnaulds, Thom Yorke... songwriters who have a unique sound and approach to music making

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It's always handy to use a click! This can give great flexibility later when adding parts, cutting things up, and doing new edits to a track that you didn't originally plan. Bonus tip - if you're recording acoustic instruments, use a variety of close and room microphones... then you've got a range of options for blend. Bonus bonus tip - if in doubt.. give it a try, save every step and try crazy settings!

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

A: Usually I'm working on my own stuff with the trio TRICHOTOMY or songwriter Danny Widdicombe. That keeps me pretty busy. We're releasing albums and touring internationally.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Working quickly to understand what the client wants. I've work on so many sessions where the artist doesn't know exactly what they want the part to be, but I can get a sense of how to create something the fits the music, but doesn't dominate it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Sensitivity - my placing is dynamic, and detailed. Accuracy - I can nail it, the melodies, the chords, the rhythms and the sounds you want. Quality - the recording quality is excellent, using high quality live instruments and software sounds.

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

A: Ha.. ah... that recording can take a long time perhaps!!?.. It's often pretty quick! Or that I wouldn't be interested in working with someone if they are just starting out.. I love working with any musician!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always like to know what the song is about.. what's the inspiration, and what do they want it to feel like. I aim to capture that vibe in my playing. I also want to know what else is going into the track so I can ensure there is space in the music!

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

A: It's useful to have a good recording for me to work with so I can clearly hear all your other parts. I'm also keen to know what your timeline is... that's important so I can plan how to approach the recording.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of my own studio, with a lovely Kawai GL40 grand piano, vintage Fender Rhodes, Kawai weighted 88 note keyboard, Korg Minilogue, tracking everything to Logic Pro X with a range of excellent Spitfire Audio pianos, synths, strings and percussion sets.

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

A: There are many musicians that I am constantly inspired by, and I love that I keep finding new music to explore. As a pianist/keyboardist, some of my top inspirational players would be Bill Evans, Nils Frahm, Robert Glasper, Brad Mehldau. As a composer, Olafur Arnaulds, Steve Reich, S Carey.. but I couldn't not mention musicians including The Punch Brothers, Mathias Eick, Peter Gabriel, John Zorn, Bugge Wesseltoft, Tigran, Pat Metheny, Radiohead, Grandbrothers, E.S.T, Lianne La Havas & Allen Stone

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

A: It's really hard to pick one... every project has its own special element which I love. The most recent album with Trichotomy - 'TO VANISH' - does come to mind though. The music blends acoustic improvising with fascinating electronic sounds - that we all create live from the acoustic instruments. I wrote the tracks - along with John and Sam in the trio, and co-produced the album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently working on a new project for Danny Widdicombe & Trichotomy, blending sounds of jazz, folk, blues, funk, and country. Sounds weird right??! Yep.. it's an intriguing combination, but if you love bands like WILCO, you'll love it.

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

A: Dave Kemp is a fantastic percussionist whom I have known for many years. He's skilled in a wide range of genres, and has extensive experience performing at a high level with international artists. If you need drums, or more specialist percussion - like Vibraphone and Marimba - then Dave is your guy!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Ha ha... well, you can't beat analogue instruments - I love my Kawai grand piano and Fender Rhodes...BUT the flexibility with digital is incredible, and I often record using highly expressive synth and keyboard sounds. This makes the editing process quick and precise.

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

A: 1. That I'll bring emotion to your music. The feeling is the most important thing 2. That the process will be easy - communication and connection is key 3. I'm efficient - I'll get this done for you quickly.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating music is what I live for. I've been composing, recording and touring music for over 20 years and have played and recorded all over the world. I also direct a university course, and love working with young musicians. I love connecting with people and helping make their music the best it can be. The process of crafting a new track is different every time and enjoy finding the little elements that make each piece of music unique.

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

A: Usually it's something like - What should the piano do in this song? --- the answer is varied as there's such a wide range of what's possible with the piano or keyboard parts!! I usually ask for a temp track, or some ideas of who they like... that's a great way to start.. but then I tell them that I'll quickly rough up something so they can see if this is the right direction - then I can get into it!

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

A: Kawai grand piano Fender Rhodes Critter & Guitari Organelle AKG headphones Macbook pro

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

A: I've been a professional musician for over 20 years. I've studied a Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts in Jazz Performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition). I've studied in Australia, the UK and privately through Canada and Europe. My career has taken me all over the world with tours, albums, collaborations... have a peek at my website - www.seanforanmusic.info - for more detail.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It's quite mixed.. I'll usually start out at the piano, improvising ideas and then will move back and forth between Logic, the piano, and various keyboards to craft the ideas I'm hearing

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

A: I usually craft piano/keyboard parts for songs - clients come with a track that needs some more harmonic, rhythmic and textural interest... and that's what I create. Sometimes people are after a custom track for their project, and I create that to suite the style and budget.