Soho Audio Works (S.A.W.) on SoundBetter

Meet your Muse again

S.A.W. is a full production company based in downtown Manhattan that has the ability to take your music out of the box and into the creative stratosphere. We blend a unique, cutting edge aesthetic with craft and technical know how acquired over many years participation in the NYC music scene.
Tao Zervas is a composer and producer equally adept in Rock and Electronic music from the mainstream to the Avant Guarde. Tao has created numerous scores for indie feature films as well as music for commercial clients including NBC, FOX, Disney, Subway, MTV among others. He was the songwriter and guitarist for the dark wave rock group Soulpusher.
D.K. is a drummer, percussionist and musical director who has performed with numerous big name Rock and Broadway artists in some of the biggest venues in the country.
By using our combined strengths and expertise your project will be treated to the highest level of attention and creativity.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

1 Reviews

Endorse Soho Audio Works (S.A.W.)

by Arthur Pingrey
Tao is a wonderful talent and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended.

Interview with Soho Audio Works (S.A.W.)

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The score for the feature film "Swing Away". it was a score that blended pop and jazz and orchestral music with traditional world music from the Dodecanese islands in Greece. somehow it all came together beautifully to create a soundtrack that the audiences love.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A score for a hour drama TV series.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: No
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Mostly digital because of space requirements and speed.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You bring your best and I'll bring my best.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The Music is never over.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you make me sound like so and so? Absolutely (wink) but let's try to make you sound like the best version of yourself first.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: No such thing.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: First: What inspires them. Second: What their goals are short term and long term. Third: How long have they been doing or living their music.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Does your producer care about your project or is it just another gig for them.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Apollo twin, IMac, (solar powered), Les Paul, Kurzweil keyboard, Taylor acoustic guitar.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I entered the music business at a time of vinyl. I was the creator and leader of my own style of pop/rock band. I was part of the NYC alternative scene and recording. I transitioned to film scoring and studio production as my creative desires and the music business changed. An arc of 30 years and I have been young for a very long time.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Passionate yet Zen
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Robert Fripp. I admire his approach to creating unique sound through the use of guitar and electronics.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Take a 10 minute break every 2 hour session. Read or listen to a piece of music that inspires you. Have a goal in mind and clear your head before diving back in.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Film scores, electronic, rock or orchestral. Pop/rock songs, Ambient soundscapes. Experimental sound design. My producer partner DK does a lot of Soul, Jazz and blues records as well as Broadway and Cabaret. Between the 2 of us we cover quite a bit of ground.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My clients tell me that I'm a mind reader. This is Not true but it might seem like that to them because I take pride in achievable excellence.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My deep knowledge of rock and electronic music history. My experience as a recording artist. My taste for quality and experimentation. My ability as a guitar player. My partner DK is an amazing drummer and percussionist with a lot of experience in combining acoustic and electronic sounds.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen carefully and absorb my clients dream for their project. Encourage them to think big and express to me how they want my music or their music to sound. Depending on the project I let myself be absorbed to the task at hand and everything flows from there.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: We have 2 spaces. One is my music scoring suite which is comprised of some heavy duty computer centered DAWs with top of the line plugins and virtual instruments and UA Apollo converters for recording live acoustic instruments. The other space is DK's drum and percussion fully equipped studio which can handle more involved live sessions. Both rooms run Digital Performer and are perfectly synchronized.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Anyone who is not satisfied with just practicing their craft but who keep their antennae tuned to new ideas and a unique approach to sound.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I compose music for film and television and write and produce music for commercial clients as well as video artists.