Songwriter

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

A: I appreciate modern pop writers like Max Martin and Benny Blanco, and topliners like Sia. I'm not saying that they're my exact style, but they've found a system that works for them and is relevant today. Musical math - Being a therapist - Writing a lot and knowing what connects with listeners... I like exploring and finding new inspiration! My tastes range from singer-songwriters like Cat Stevens and EDM producer-DJs like Calvin Harris to Pop artists like Gaga (versatility!). I pay attention to trends and what people are listening to. If I work with someone whose sound I'm less familiar with, I'll digest it and research artists within that genre as much as possible before starting the project. Producer-wise...Jack Antonoff, Mark Ronson, Greg Kurstin. I also appreciate unique sounds and the innovation of bedroom producers. I personally lean more towards pop sheen and believe that production's main goal should be to support the song (vs. be the main attraction). Whatever brings out the song / artist the most and cuts through!

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

A: Songwriting, toplining, lyric writing and managing the creative process and logistics of production.

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

A: Can you help me make my song more "pop"? Yes - we can analyze what you have and make adjustments so your song is more for the masses. That might mean having to be flexible to changes in things like structure, lyrical content, production or other elements.

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

A: That's it's easy to write a great song. It's requires commitment, practice and some divine intervention.

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

A: Align on expectations. Complete a written agreement for songwriting, composition and production work.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on two EDM writes and productions, an electro pop topline, and an acoustic pop song. I have a few songs on hold with artists as well.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It all depends on the goal. I've studied both but work digital.

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

A: I promise to treat your song and project like it was my own, to achieve the best result we can.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The diversity in creatives. Music brings us together. After that - I'd say when that divine moment strikes you like lightning and the core concept behind the song becomes clear.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's your goal? What are your music or creative skillsets? What's your workflow? What's the project budget?

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

A: Macbook Pro. Sennheiser HD 800 S Headphones. Pro Tools loaded with plugins and virtual instruments. Satellite internet connection (inspiration and samples). Blue Bottle Mic.

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

A: Professional songwriter and publisher.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Adaptable

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

A: Artist that has passed: David Bowie because he broke molds. Living Legend: Stevie Wonder because he's incomparable. Today: I'm not a Swiftie, but Taylor Swift because she set trends and can write hits without an army. I'm not into artists whose core work is crass. You do you and express what you need to. It's just not for me.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Song first. Production second (With a few exceptions).

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

A: Pop, electronic pop, acoustic pop, singer-songwriter, EDM. I can work in country, latin and R&B with the right collaborator.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I use both creative and business skills.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring craftsmanship and aim for meaning behind the work with memorable hooks and relevant production. I act like an extension of the artist or writer.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For songwriting, I like to get into my cowriter's head a bit; ask some questions and find out what they're really trying to say or express. What's your typical workflow? Is there a goal genre we're shooting for? It can affect the song structure, lyrics, future production and performance elements. Some remote writers like to mail back n' forth, others prefer Zoom sessions. I'm flexible. First step is find our direction, whether that be a specific prompt or a brief, or listening to some raw work from the collaborator - a beat/track? An instrumental groove? Some pieces of a song already written that need expanding? And go from there... For production, it's helpful to get references and inspirations; then review the song and see if it could use some adjustment prior to starting. I'll choose the right producer and vocalist, and other creatives (dependent on budget), pull it through and send the production for your review - followed by an agreed upon revision process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup includes an iMac and MacBook Pro, HS8 Monitors, Apogee Quartet, Blue Bottle Mic with multiple head attachments, MIDI keyboard, Young Chang Piano, Acoustic blankets, Maschine MK3, AVID Pro Tools and various plugins (Native Instruments, SoundToys, Waves...). And a sofa with pen/paper and a recorder ready to go! I use this space for creating concepts and laying down reference vocals. I work with producers and mix engineers for those projects that require record-caliber acoustics and more advanced gear / recording techniques.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a few EDM writes and productions, an electro pop topline, and a slew of pop songs.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It all depends on the goal. I've studied both but work more digital for my purposes.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For songwriting, I like to get into my cowriter's head a bit; ask some questions and find out what they're really trying to say or express. What's your typical workflow? Is there a goal genre we're shooting for? It can affect the production, song structure, lyrics and future performance elements. Some remote writers like to mail back n' forth, others do Zoom sessions. I'm flexible. Prior to that, it's good to have a direction and see what talk specific prompts or briefs or review some raw work the writer/artist that we can build upon. For production, it's helpful to get references and inspirations; then review the song and see if it could use some adjustment prior to starting. I'll choose the right producer and vocalist, dependent on budget, and

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup includes an iMac and MacBook Pro, HS8 Monitors, Apogee Quartet, Blue Bottle Mic with multiple head attachments, MIDI keyboard, Young Chang Piano, Acoustic blankets, Maschine MK3, AVID Pro Tools and various plugins (Native Instruments, SoundToys, Waves...). And a sofa with pen/paper and a recorder ready to go! I use this space for creating concepts and laying down reference vocals. I work with producers and mix engineers for projects that require record-caliber acoustics and more intense gear / recordings techniques.

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

A: I appreciate modern pop writers like Max Martin and Benny Blanco, and topliners like Sia. I'm not saying that I love every song, but they've found a system that works for them and is relevant today. Musical math - Being a therapist - Writing a lot and knowing what connects with listeners... My musical tastes range. I like exploring! I'm inspired by singer-songwriters like Cat Stevens (Yusuf), EDM producer-DJs like Lost Frequencies and Meduza, and Pop artists like Coldplay and Gaga. I pay attention to trends and what people are listening to. If I work with someone whose sound I'm less familiar with, I'll digest that genre and relevant artists as much as possible before starting the project. Producers-wise...Jack Antonoff, Mark Ronson, Greg Kurstin. I appreciate unique sounds and the innovation of bedroom producers. I personally lean more towards pop sheen and believe that production's main goal should be to support the song (vs. be the main attraction). Whatever brings out the song / artist the most and cuts through!

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

A: Songwriting, toplining, lyric writing and managing the production process.