Music Producer, Synthesist

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

A: This album that I have coming up I am very proud of. I think it's some of the best work I've ever done and I am very excited to share it. My role was everything on it, it was all composed on the Elektron Octatrack, Analog Four, and Waldorf Iridium.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am getting ready to release a solo album this summer, getting back to my IDM roots. So I am getting the live set togehter and focusing on press in advance of the release.

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

A: There is not, actually.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I am completely agnostic, both have their advantages and it really comes down to process. Sometimes the process of using an old school analog synth makes sense for the piece, sometimes the convenience and power of software is absolutely incredible. It's all just tools that are available, we just need to selec tthe right one.

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

A: That we will create something worthwhile, I want to make your work better.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The ability to co-create beauty is hands down the best thing in the world.

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

A: To be honest I am fairly new to having customers. My past collaborations have all centered around how the work feels though. As I said above, that is the most important element to sound design and production.

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

A: That synthesis is just presets.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's the vibe? How things feel is always the most important part. And all the practical things, like what's the key, are there reference tracks you have in mind, do you want me to compose something or do you have a specific phrase in mind, those kinds of things.

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

A: Try and be as clear as possible about what you are looking for, and how open to my vision you are versus wanting me to complete your vision.

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

A: Assuming there is electricity on this desert island haha… A laptop with Ableton Live and other various software My Erae Touch MPE controller A Black Corporation Deckard's Dream A Black Corporation Ise-nin An Elektron Octatrack

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

A: I have been producing music for 22 years. I have a parallel career in IT, but music has always been what feeds my soul.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Contemplative & introspective, but still danceable.

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

A: Therre are so many, it's incredibly difficult to narrow down. I will say that I think the best work happens through collaboration, when artists are able to co-create something that becomes larger than what any individual contributor could have created.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always try and capture a performance. Pure programming can leave things with little personality.

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

A: My personal work ranges from IDM style beat oriented pieces to ambient soundscapes. The other style I have produced the most with is synth pop, the classic female vocal over electronic production vibe.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My ability to create sonically compelling elements to enhance pieces of music and any other sonic environments.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I am a very intuitive artist. Working within the parameters that folks give me, I tend to start by feeling out what is needed, and going from there. Art needs to be felt, it's never analytical first.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: For my personal work I have been focused on an Elektron centered hardware setup for production, complimented by a Waldorf Iridium. I also have a full software setup through Ableton Live, with loads of software that allows for all kinds of sonic directions to be explored.

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

A: Three are so many acorss multiple decades. Folks like Tangerine Dream and Wendy Carlos through to autechre and Aphex Twin, on to comtemporaries like Rian Treanor and Andy Stott have all inspired me heavily.

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

A: Designing and/or composing synthesizer parts to compliment tracks, as well as sound design and original compositions.