I Cook

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

A: How do you do that? lol But no seriously there aren't too many questions on the creative process. I find customers more less start asking questions about music business (publishing, streaming, state of the industry) when I meet them.

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

A: I recently worked on a project with an artist as a producer, the artist was on their last leg after several attempts at trying to finish one song that was very close to them and was a personal experience. The artist had a sound in their head they wanted to convey in the song and was unsuccessful at finding that sound on their previous attempts. We had an opportunity to work together in the studio and after a few hours of working I had an idea of what sound she wanted to hear in the song. I called a good friend who was a guitar player to come in and low and behold it was the swelling wine of a guitar that gave her that a-ha moment. I was extremely excited because I know what it means for the artist, but it also credits my background of musicianship and the experience of working with live musicians over just beat making. I take pride in being able to bring a project into fruition, and knowing what is needed is key. There is also something special about working with an artist in the same room that brings a different element to the creating process that you just can't duplicate by sending files back and forth...

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

A: Be very clear as to what service you need when reaching out, and if you don't know state that fact it's totally ok to not know. Be completely upfront and honest about everything. This eliminates a lot of unnecessary drama ya digg. Be sure and confident in the process and the provider once you have agreed to work with them.

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

A: Raised in church singing and playing is where I began to embrace my gift of music. After many grade school talent shows and events I started a group and we got signed and toured the world as artist. At an early age a lack of contractual lingo and knowledge of the business left a bad taste in my mouth as the group was not thriving as it should have. At one point that journey became as stagnant as being stuck on the 405 freeway in Southern California. I knew at that point I had to grasp another side of the industry that I'd also love in case the artist thing didn't pan out (no pun intended), so I embraced production. I have 10+ years of experience in this music thang...

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically I talk to the artist to get to know a little more about them personally and their musical journey. I also like to sit with the artist in the studio and go through tons of references with an attempt to bridge the gap of the sound/s they are trying to convey on their project. After that I like to go through a hoist of organic sounds that we find collectively and separately and store them for the creating process. Once we establish some form of chemistry I sit with the proposed vocal if provided and begin to land scape the production and formulate ideas from our discussion with a taste of my experience on top in a separate session without the artist present. The artist will receive a snippet of the work and if any revisions need be made we can discuss them accordingly.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Depending on the budget of the project I could be working out of a large private studio which consist of 2 to 3 monitoring systems, a vocal booth and a vocal chain (mic, mic pre, compressor, eq's and a host of outboard gear) or if I'm just creating, and doing subtle things where the artist doesn't need to be present, I could working in a smaller production room with mainly my laptop and my toys (plug-ins).

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

A: I typically produce (organize co-writers, studio sessions, musicians, provide vocal production etc...) a project for an artist wether it's one song or multiple and whatever may be necessary to complete a full idea that is radio ready upon completion. As a music producer I provide consultation to my clients based on their needs, often times that is taking their idea after thoroughly understanding what their common goal is and bringing that to life. That can range from raw artistry to a very polished commercial sound. Along with music production I have developed a lot of knowledge and insight of the business and also offer artist development which ranges from getting your live show tight, how to perform with or without a band, studio etiquette, social media growth, photography, videos and much more...

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Clarity and direction through experience. I am able to speak with you about your song/project and bring clarity to somethings you may have been uncertain about. A great ear!!

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

A: Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, The Winans, Rance Allen, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Morris Day & The Time, Timbaland, Pharrell, Dj Quick, Rihanna, Queen, The Bee Gees, Steve Vai, Kendrick Lamar, Mike Will Made It, Lil Wayne, Drake, Celine Dion, Adele, Danja, Britney Spears, RaeSremmurd

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

A: Yes I know a few people on SoundBetter and would definitely recommend them.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you need from me specifically? What's your time frame? What's your budget?

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

A: Assuming there is power on a desert lol...I'd take my iMac, MPC X, Apollo Twin, External Hard Drive, & a KC-550 amp.

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

A: Hip Hop, Urban, and Pop music (Top 40) is generally my go to.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on building out my publishing catalog as well as some artist projects set to release in the first quarter.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Mixture of both. This makes you the most flexible and and broadens your musical vocabulary and ability.

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

A: My promise is that you will be heard and not overlooked, you will get my best shot!!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Discovering amazing new talent, and the process of creating, its' a drug lol...

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

A: I'd have to say this biggest misconception of my type of work is artist/clients understanding there is a huge difference between a producer and a beat maker.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd have to describe my style as organic, big, with energy, and hard hitting drums.

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

A: This is a tough one because there are so many amazing artist. But I'd have to say Rihanna she's mastered the art of recording and it really intrigues me as a producer. I'd also have to say Bruno Mars because of his artistry and I believe he has the ability to have an "MJ" type of career. Cardi B and Nicki Minaj must I say anymore?? There's so many more I could name...

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Cliche, but powerful "less is more" the vocal is The Star of the song, therefore let it breath wooosaahhh :)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill set sits right on the outskirts of my head (Ears) my ears have experienced lots of logged hours studying the art of music. This translates to the creative side and has given me the advantage of a faster process of getting to the goal at hand.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on building out my publishing catalog.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Mixture of both. This makes you the most flexible and and broadens your musical vocabulary.

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

A: My promise is that you will be heard and not overlooked.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Discovering amazing new talent...

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

A: I'd have to say this biggest misconception of my type of work is artist/clients understanding there is a huge difference between a producer and a beat maker.

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

A: Does

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

A: Raised in church singing and playing as many were is where I began to embrace my gift for music. After many grade school talent shows and events. I started a group and we got signed and toured the world as artist. At one point that journey became as stagnant as being stuck in the 405 traffic in Southern California and I embraced music production. I have 20 years + experience in this music thang...

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd have to describe my style as big, with energy, and hard hitting drums.

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

A: This is a tough one because there are so many amazing artist. But I'd have to say Rihanna she's mastered the art of recording and it really intrigues me as a producer. I'd also have to say Bruno Mars because of his artistry and I believe he has the ability to have an "MJ" type of career.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Cliche, but powerful "less is more" the vocal is (The Star) of the song, therefore let it breath :)

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

A: Hip Hop, Urban, and Pop music (Top 4o) is generally my go to.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill set sits right on the outskirts on both ends of my head (Ears) my ears have experienced lots of logged hours studying the art of music. This translates to the creative side and has given me the advantage of a faster process of getting to the goal at hand.

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

A: Timbaland, Pharrell, Dj Mustard, Michael Jackson

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

A: I generally provide consultation to my clients based on their needs, often times that is taking their idea after thoroughly understanding what their common goal is and bringing that to life. That can range from raw artistry to a very polished commercial sound.