Session Musicians

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

A: We have released two EPs recently that from start to finish have been 100% our creation. There is something very fulfilling in selling CDs at shows knowing that you are responsible for every instrument played, every vocal sang, mixing, mastering, album art etc.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: This very moment I have a mixing session open behind my browser for an instrumental licensing type track. It has a big Imagine Dragons type drum beat, with a fast moving ambient classical guitar and big low distorted piano octaves for the bass.

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

A: Anna Yarborough! Amazing pianist and writer. We have her to thank for showing us this platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Don't get me wrong I love analog, but the efficiency that digital offers, and the quality of the technology that we have these days is hard to pass up. For this type of work the time saved by digital production gives the ability to spend more time getting the actual parts, performance, and captures to be the best they can be.

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

A: That every single project we work on will get our full attention and quality. We refuse to stretch ourselves so thin that we have to cut corners or pump out projects and sacrifice quality.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The ability to be able to work on so many different projects. One day it's funk guitars on a neo soul track, the next it's belting pop vocals. I love the challenge of immersing in different styles.

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

A: That it's the same as being in a traditional session. Having an artist, producer, and player in the same room makes communication and creativity much easier. For E-sessions I try to work very hard at the communication and back and forth to make sure the client is getting what they want. We try to stay away from the idea of pumping out, "mail order music." We try to give an extra level of communication to deliver an extra level of quality (without losing efficiency)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: We try to make sure we have a really good idea of the project and sound the client is looking for. For example if they say, "I need electric guitars on this track" I would ask specific questions about what kind of sounds they were looking for, sending links to songs for reference.

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

A: Martin D-35, Aston Spirit mic, Apollo Duo interface, Strat, Ac-30... Also probably a generator of some kind for power on the island...

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

A: We have both been playing. I have a bachelors degree in guitar performance, as well as over 10 years of touring experience, and Nicole has been touring and performing from a young age. We have been doing our own production for the past 5 years to be able to focus on our own music and writing.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Versatile. When we produce our own music we tend to have an americana sound. However I get equal enjoyment out of making an acoustic instrument sound great as I do cranking up stereo guitar amps loaded with effects.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Performance Performance Performance. The initial capture is hugely important. I would rather move a mic and play a part over again to get the perfect sound than spend time with plug ins trying to polish something that isn't great. If you want something to sound natural, pro, and be easily manipulated later, a great performance and capture is key.

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

A: We do a significant amount of country these days, but share backgrounds in various styles of rock and pop as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Performance. While we do our own production as well, we have spent our lives working to master our instruments. This gives us the ability to stretch to many different styles and specific needs of E-session sounds.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Versatility, flexibility and the ability to customize our creativity to what the client is looking for. We try to look at the project through a "lens" of the client.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Communication is key for us. We like to interact with the client as much as possible on the front end to get a really good idea of not just what they're looking for, but the vibe of them and their music so I can get it extra close to the way they want the project to sound. Then we try to have a very short turn around time, sending something quality and pro, but almost expecting tweaks. We are not afraid of revisions.

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

A: We love a wide range of music. I am inspired by the professionalism of session players that can walk into a room, listen to a demo, and then do take after take of A level quality. Brent Mason, Bryan Sutton, Paul Maybury etc.

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

A: E-session work. Either instrumental (electric or acoustic guitars, bass, mandolin, banjo) or vocal.