Unique Lyricist/Guitarist

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

A: Well, I do a lot of things but I'll address lyric-writing as that's my true area of expertise. I would have to say that it is a misconception that it's easy. Yeah, rhyming isn't terribly difficult, but there's so much more to it. I think lyrics and poetry are great exercises in minimalism - saying more with less. There are also rhythmic and phonetic elements and devices to consider, all of which help to illustrate the desired narrative.

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

A: Alternative/Progressive Rock, Blues, and Folk are where my comfort zone lives right now but that could all change with a sudden muse.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Lyrical composition, but I am a multidisciplinary instrumentalist as well. My approach to acoustic guitar has been compared to John Lennon's by some.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I just have a small setup at home with a mac, GB, an ART M2 large cardoid condenser and an M6 small cardoid condenser pencil mic. I run those through a Steinberg CL1 Audio Interface. I've also got a 49 key MIDI controller and and various guitars. I am also a session acoustic guitarist at a professional grade studio close-by and have full access to it's resources.

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

A: Yes, I HIGHLY recommend Nate Barnes for all of your drumming needs. The guy is incredibly nice, timely, and intuitive. Hire him, you won't regret it! https://soundbetter.com/profiles/53109-nate-barnes

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

A: I wrote a piano score for an independent film that was premiering at a festival in Europe. It was the first time I'd ever made money from music and it was a remarkable feeling!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My EP, and about to begin doing all of the sound design for a full-length animated commercial!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: They both have a place, I prefer analog myself but I'd be lost without digital resources as well. Tough one.

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

A: That I will use every last drop of inspiration and creativity I have to see your project through.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The autonomy!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I think it's important in any project to have a clear sense of the "why" behind it. I want to know about the individual and what is motivating their creativity. How am I supposed to help you realize your vision if I don't bother to peek through your lens?

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

A: It all boils down to personality and what individual sensibilities are at play. The most important thing is how you communicate with one-another. Talent only goes so far if you aren't speaking the same language as the person you are trying to collaborate with.

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

A: Guitar, Notebook, Pen, Pick, and an extra "G" string.

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

A: I've been playing since I was a child and writing since I was in middle-school, but professionally I started my freelancing career at the Art Institute of Vancouver. I studied all forms of media and was able to cut my teeth on sound design. I started recording and mixing myself which allowed me to layer multiple instruments for the first time which was a game changer. I spent a few years as a one-man show until I got plugged into the music scene in Moncton, NB. It's all a blur after that - performing, producing, mixing, collaborating, doing some web and graphic design, hosting and booking live events, equipment rental, I even worked on designing a magazine in those days. I got a little taste of everything and really diversified my skill-set.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Progressive acoustic punkafolkarockabillyblues alternative with a suprise slap in the face for good measure.

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

A: Beck, I think. You would never know what genre you'd land in, and that's an exciting prospect.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If your music is honest, it will ALWAYS be good.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A unique and descriptive way of telling a story. I never sacrifice my point for being mysterious and esoteric, more often than not I do have something I want to say - and I prefer not to leave it entirely up to interpretation. I use complicated rhyme schemes that add an interesting flow to a composition, sometimes it is melodic and soft and sometimes percussive depending on the subject matter.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the work, but typically I'm sort of a nut when it comes to focus, and I create with an almost unhealthy fervor. Composing lyrics is probably my favorite thing to do, as it comes easy to me but still poses a challenge that I find particularly cathartic when overcome. Finding a clever way to say something always puts a smile on my face. If I can express a huge idea in several words I am beside myself with pride.

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

A: I'm actually a punk at heart so I'd have to say Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy, Tim Armstrong of Rancid of course, and I'm kind of having a bit of a love-affair with July Talk. Beck is also quite high on that list, and I certainly can't forget about Trent Reznor!

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

A: At present I mainly do sound design for animated commercial productions and advertisements.