Bassist

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

A: Biddadat, this group is my bread and butter. It's why I moved to Seattle and partly why I am looking into sessions work. I am the co-founder and lead bassist. We have been evolving ever since we moved here in 2012, always progressing. We've gotten to play the biggest shows of my life and are always topping my expectations. My favorite moment in this band was when we played the festival in my hometown opening up for the B52's. We played for two thousand people that day and had a blast.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: currently my band, Biddadat, is working on our fourth studio album. We have recently been getting into larger venues in Seattle opening for larger groups. This is a very exciting time for us. I also have a personal side project called "Decimator". This is a metal project that is more of an outlet for me, it allows me to write whatever I want without having to sound a certain way. I should have a track out within the next 3 months.

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

A: Bradly Miranda is an excellent producer/ mixer/ all around musician that has worked in the industry for many years for big names such as MXPX. Matt Wolk is a Mastering Engineer that has done work for MXPX as well as my own band. I work with these two gentlemen frequently, we are a fast paced team with excellent equipment and high standards.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital technology has come a long way in recent years, especially with amp modelling. Use analog when available or affordable, digital is much more convenient

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

A: I will give you a bass part that adds a new depth to your music with a quick turn around. You will get a neat composed bass line that is sincere and considerate to your music rather than a basic mindless part that is "good enough".

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like the challenge of learning a new song and creating a new part that fits well with the composition. I really enjoy coming up with parts to music I normally wouldn't listen to or play.

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

A: Q: "What do you need to learn the song?" A: "I just need the BPM of your song and either a vocal line, scratch guitar, piano or some sort of melody line"

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

A: When people hear I'm a bassist they expect a slow player limited to root notes, or "the guitar player that wasn't good enough". I assure you this is not the case.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of sound are you looking for? Do you have a song similar in style?

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

A: Make sure you are clear about what you are looking for in a service. If you Don't give any direction as far as the sound you are going for you may wind up unhappy with the end product.

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

A: Bongo 6 String Bass, Axe Fx, my Ampeg 8x10, Ampeg SVT 2 pro, and a Dingwall NG-2

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

A: I have been playing bass in and out of bands for 16 years, mostly playing in metal, rock and funk bands. My current band for the last 5 years is ,Biddadat , we are a local Seattle band on the rise.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: A bassist trying to play his instrument like a guitar when appropriate.

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

A: I've really wanted to work with

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Practice your songs, once you know the material try and perfect it. This prevents more studio time and keeps engineers happy.

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

A: Mostly been getting pop-punk work, it's a lot of fun playing fast uptempo music. Whenever I get a client with that style I try to get in a Mike Dirnt mind set.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I can play bass with the same attitude of a guitarist or dial it back to the traditional role of the root note anchor. I can solo if need be, coming up with riffs is what I love best.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I can bring more life to a song, add another dimension to it. Custom tailoring a bass part to drums, guitar and other instruments to bring them all together and carry the piece. This is the most exciting part about my work, providing bass that fits seamlessly into a piece.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: A client will email me their music, from there I will learn their material and start to form an idea of what I would like the bass to do. The trick is being able to tell when you can get busy and when you have to calm things down dynamically. Note selection is everything.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record through Reaper on a custom windows computer using a Native Instruments Kontact 6 interface. I use an amp simulator from Fractal Audio called the Axe Fx II, this piece of equipment in the workhorse of my live and studio set up. As far as basses I have a Music Man Bongo 6 string, a Rickenbacker 4003, and a fretless Ibanez SR series 6 string.

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

A: My current list of inspiring musicians include Adam "Nolly" Getgood, John Patitucci, Billy Sheehan, Aaron Marshal, Simon Grove, Jason Richardson, Misha Mansoor, Tosin Abasi, Bobby Vega

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

A: I record bass lines for song writers and groups that need a stand in bassist.