Soulful Groove Rock Guitarist

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

A: My current album I just finished "These Things On My Mind" and my other new album "Too Many Ghosts" with vocals for sure!! Both big atmospheric albums loaded with really cool songs and a production style that you don't hear much on instrumental albums since I don't just focus on the guitars. It's a pair of extremely unique albums in a lot of ways, and it's been the most inspired couple of projects that I've worked on. It's exciting that both are finally out! It's also exciting for me as a musician and writer overall, since both albums really say exactly what I wanted each to say feel wise in the songs, and as albums overall.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on my brand new instrumental album "Waiting On The Light" which is due out in January 2025

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love writing and playing, I'm all about the art form and playing for the song, follow the muse!

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

A: "What if you don't get ideas?" I let them know that I am one of few i know that gets ideas like crazy, and always have! It's the opposite of writers block, if I had the available time, I could record 3-4 classic albums worth of music every year. Zero filler, just well written songs with cool parts, and great solos that are memorable & full of genuine expression!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I started as a drummer when I was a kid so my guitar playing has a real rhythmic approach and that orchestrate the energy thing that you do with a song on drums, so it's a funky, deep groove, dynamic, fun sound that's lively!

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

A: Drummer Jason Bonham

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

A: Any form of rock, early 70's bluesy rock, 80's rock, 90's, funk rock, hard rock, blues, modern rock.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro Tools, UA plugins, Charvel/Jackson guitars, Fender Tone Master board, Fender Tweed, Marshall & Friedman plugins, Fender P Bass with UA SVT, GK, and other plugins.

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

A: Jane's Addiction, early Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Zeppelin, Randy Rhoads, Joe Walsh, Bowie, STP, AIC, Chris Cornell, Faith No More, Free, Faces, Stones, Hendrix, early Aerosmith, and so many more!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: both have a place and their ups and downs, so I learned and use both. Analog has cool soul and character for sure!

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

A: My tracks will breathe life into the song, and be real deal quality that's about substance, not pointless flash, or cheesy imitation style playing.

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

A: That it's easy! haha

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: If they have a super focused idea of what they want or if they want me to explore a little bit and see if something inspired sparks in a direction they had't thought of. Both are very different approach and good to know what they want.

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

A: Listen to their stuff carefully and see if their approach really suites your intended sound, since lots of guys have mad skills with chops but can only get the feel right on a small handful of song styles and approaches!

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

A: acoustic guitars & upright bass & drums, and horns, since none of those require the electric current that you wouldn't have! haha

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

A: Grew up in LA and learned a ton from all kinds of people, then spent my 20's in the 90's Seattle scene which was amazing and almost my big break. Since then lots of studio work and looking for a really cool band to be a part of!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't over process when you record, keep the performance sounding natural and focused.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Playing with Heart

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Soul, groove, atmosphere, genuine attitude, cool character to the tones and dynamics, I can write real deal big riffs, melodic chord structures with cool vibe, bluesy solos, harmony solos, hard rock solos, grunge, punk, sinister solos and harmony parts, sentimental 70's Zep style solos, late 60's 70's 80's & 90's feel, and tone, that is dead on, correct, top shelf, cool vibe & style!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I love to work and go full workaholic and dive into the songs little world and work like I'm sculpting the parts as they come into focus and I follow the ideas that suite the song! I never try and force or mail in a part, i like stuff to maintain the lively feel!

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

A: Guitar work where the client needs real deal raw groove rock guitar tracks with well written rhythm guitar work & solos that are for the song! I can cover a ton of styles, but it's the intangible something that I can deliver, to bring the song to life in a cool way! I've been doing that in studios in LA, Seattle, and Northern Cal since I was 20 and I just got better at it as i developed each year, and with new things I learned.