Producer, Mixer, Guitarist

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

A: I tend to work in those genres that have a more 'classic' songwriting style including Americana, Folk, Rock, Country and Pop. However I listen to and influenced by a wider range of music which getdrawn into this core. For me it not the genre that matters but the fact the artist, songwriter, song has something to say.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: New EPs by Ivy Sutherland (alt Folk) KatieMF (Punk) just finished soon to be released album by Alvarez Theory (Americana)

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

A: I have been a guitarist since I was 10 and pro music maker since I was 17. My dad is a massive music fan and I was brought up on a diet of music that included Oscar Peterson, the Beatles, Bonnie Rait, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Atkins. I went onto doing a formal musical education training heavily in jazz guitar and composition but my musical world drew from all over the world and included singer songwriters, eastern european folk music to metal. I started to do recording sessions as a guitarist and started to realise I was good at the production side of things. Met my now wife who is a singer and songwriter and did a lot of work with her. Started to get asked to produce for other artists who we met on the circui,t especially since I could play a few instruments, as well being trained to write for string and horn sections. Had a little diversion working for for the more 'business' side of the record industry which taught me a lot. Just kept working trying to learn from those around me and been lucky to work with some amazing artists including Mercury Music Prize and Grammy Nominees

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The abilty to work with artists from a range of styles providing a creative positive rewarding experience

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For production work I like to meet with the artist/songwriter, go through the songs and get to know about about them as a person and their likes dislikes and their view of what they are after. I like to create playlists of tracks we like that are in the ball park and then start throwing in ideas of what approaches we could take. We then get into the studio and have some fun, playing instruments, creating sounds and if needs be tightening up the songs or developing inital song writing ideas. The mix process is just a continuation of that. When I'm mixing something that I havent produced the process is fairly similar. Again trying to understand what the artist / producers vision is and then trying to optimise that while bringing my technical knowledge and creativity to bear to really fulfill the potential of the song. I generally will work a song on my own for a bit and get it to a stage where I'm happy and send out a mix. Then it's just a question of collaboration to fine tune it to fulfill what the artist / producer is after.

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

A: Lots of people for all different reasons be they artists, producers, mixers or session muscians. I'm just inspired by people who do great work whatever their genre and it's a constantly shifting cast. On the roots side I love the work of Dave Cobb, Ethan Johns and Ryan Hewit, Sylvia Massey's approach is amazing, I love Darryl Thorpe's work. I also draw from the pop world, the last Pink album was fantastic as was the last Cam album, Greg Wells with Katy Perry, the list goes on. What connects them is the primacy of a great song coupled with a great performance.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: In my own space I run a hybrid system using Protools with all the the fun toys the digital world has to offer.including virtual instruments and plugins from the usual suspects including UAD, Waves, Arturia and VSL. I couple this with a range of classic outboard gear (mic pres/ compressors) great monitoring and conversion. I also have a nice sized live space with a real piano, organ and a range of guitars and basses.

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

A: Production, Mixing and playing instruments. My role as I see it is to take an an artist / song and create a sonic world for them to inhabit. A world that's in keeping with what they are and supports them and the song but provides something fresh and creative something that's inspriring to the artist and songwriter as well as the listener.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They both have their place. Sometimes more of one than the other. Ultimately the gear is a tool to get a job done.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Experience, Knowledge, Technical skill coupled with a big dose of creativity

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Creative and Collaborative

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The moment when the energy in a room is bouncing, whether that is as we are creating a new track or when I am mixing. When an artist / songwriter is invigorated and inspired by the process.

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

A: They should be excited by what you do. You should be able to have fun with them but challenge them to do better. You should be able to be brutally honest with them. You should take them outside their comfort zone. You should be willing to expect the same from them.

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

A: 1x sm58 1xacoustic guitar 1x electric guitar 1xpiano 1xportastudio

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The studio / recording process should be a safe and nuturing space