Producer, Studio Musician

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

A: Aryn Michelle just released a record called "The Realest Thing". She wanted to do a concept record based around a book she read. My role was Producer, arranger, I played all instruments, did all programming, and mix engineer. She wanted it to be a seamless album as well. So I helped arrange all the songs to flow perfectly together and even loop the whole album! It was the most fun record i've worked on in a while. She loved pushing boundaries and wasn't afraid of "weird". The record is a triumph. Go listen!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I currently am working on pre production and demos for two different artists. Phil Wickham and Vertical Worship.

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

A: I know and have worked with Brandon Chase. I would absolutely recommend him for top lining songs, song writing, and vocals. All around pro and nice guy to work with.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. There is so many wonderful things that both sides have to offer. But I do lean more towards digital. You can push and stretch ideas further in digital. But with analog I like having to make decisions and sticking with them. It keeps the song as the main thing. Not just the fancy plug ins you can use. So I celebrate both.

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

A: To always make sure the melody and lyric win. It's their song, not mine. I'll do what I can to enhance your song, but at the end of the day, I will help you bring YOUR song to what YOU wanted to hear it sound like.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to see a clients reaction to hearing their song brought to life. Hearing what was once a simple idea, and now is something that inspires others.

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

A: "What can we do to change the vibe of my song? I wrote it on piano, guitar, acapella, etc. but I really want it to be more like.....". Lets look at the music that inspires you, talk about what you like about certain elements and then figure out how to make it YOURS

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

A: That I can take your song, put it in the computer, and magically it will sound like Adele, The Killers, or The 1975. The song has to be strong enough and I can only work with in the confines of what the melody allows. If its a soft ballad melody and vocal, the music has to support. Not overpower.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What inspired you to write, start the project, or become an artist? What are you wanting to say with the song or production? What type of artist are you wanting to sound like or aim for?

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

A: Lets work together to bring your song up to the best version it can possibly be. Sometimes that can mean looking at changing a few elements so your song can go farther. But know that I will always make sure you are ecstatic with the end result.

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

A: Guitar, Nord, U87, Apollo, Laptop (FULL of synths and libraries). I create the greatest collection of music known to man to avoid going crazy.

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

A: I started touring professionally at 17 and haven't stopped since. After experiencing the recording process with bands and artists I was playing for, I knew I wanted to be involved in the producing side of things. 21 years of musical experience, 14 years of that touring and studio sessions, and 10 years of producing and recording artists.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Always musically supporting the artist and melody, but pushing what sonically would be expected. Moving forward musically and not just get "stuck" in what is on the radio currently. There's always the next wave, and why not be the one pushing forward.

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

A: I would love to work with One Republic. The elements of pop, soul, and electronic would be such a fun range to work within.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The melody always tells you where to go and what to play. The minute the melody becomes secondary to the music, you lose.

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

A: Singer Songwriter, Electronic, Pop, Rock, Indie Pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the melody and hearing sounds and genre ideas that push the creative boundaries and enhance what the artist's original inspiration was.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring ideas that challenge the typical arrangements, and stretch the song forward.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with a sound. I listen to what the client sends, it may be a home recorded demo, voice memo, or a video from their phone, then I listen to what the melody is saying. After that I go hunting for "the sound". I find a sound, synth, sample, or chord progression that triggers inspiration and then I go with first instincts. Then I step back and listen with the artist, then move forward or move on to another idea. There is never a shortage of options and ideas for the song!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have been using Logic X for 10 years now. Waves, UAD, and SoundToys are some of my most used tools. I am more of a "In The Box" type of studio. I have some select outboard gear (500 series api mic pre's, neve clones) but I typically am using more soft synths, sound libraries, and samples. Keeps things moving fast and consistent for the clients.

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

A: Some of my favorite producers are Jack Antanoff, Justin Meldal Johnsen, Danger Mouse, Mike Crossey, Brenden O'Brien, Tommy Sims.

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

A: I typically take simple demos from the artist and then do consultations with them to find out the direction they're wanting their song to go in. Just because the song was written on an acoustic doesn't mean we can't turn it into an electronic indie pop song. Or I am sent just a vocal recorded to a metronome and the client gives artist direction and then I "fill in" the blank spaces for the artist. I also mix/master and do simple enhancements to a client's recordings.