Multi-Instrumentalist Producer

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

A: I just finished recording a three song project for my capstone at Berklee. I'm insanely proud of the work I did on these three songs. I was the writer/artist, producer and mix engineer. These songs are the culmination of years of hard work and struggles of trying to find my identity as an artist, producer and engineer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on an Album for my solo project

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I love the sound and feeling of analog and I love the flexibility of digital. Both have their uses in modern music.

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

A: I will bring your vision to life. Whether it be producing or mixing, I will do whatever it takes to get your songs where you want to take them.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love getting to be creative and solve problems on a daily basis.

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

A: That anybody with a laptop can do it. Yeah the technology is available for everybody at a price that's made it significantly easier to get started, but not everybody is meant to produce or mix music.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of sound are you trying to achieve? What are the most important elements of your song(s)?

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

A: Know what you're looking for. Not every producer or engineer is going to be right for every project.

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

A: Vox AC30 Fender Jazzmaster Prophet 5 UA 1176 Neve 1073

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

A: I started playing music in band as a kid, discovered guitar when I was 14, joined jazz band, and then went to a local school for music technology. I dropped out of my local school after a year a half because the program wasn't what I was looking for. I went and got an associate's degree in music production from the Los Angeles Film and Recording School. After receiving my associate's I decided to go to Berklee and get a bachelor's degree because I felt like I still had more to learn. I've also been writing, recording, producing, and mixing my own music throughout my studies. I started my solo project as a way to implement what I was learning at school and I truly believe that this was the best decision I could've made. It's given me an intimate understanding of what it takes to execute every part of the creative process at a high level.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Psychedelic. No matter what genre I'm working in I try to bring some element of psychedelia into the production or mix.

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

A: As a musician I'd love to work with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard or 100Gecs / Laura Les. These artists are just constantly inspiring me to be as creative as possible. As a producer and engineer I'd love to work with Pond. They have such a unique and inspiring sound that would compliment my style.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't over-do it. Learning to know when too much is too much, in any part of the process, is key in my opinion.

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

A: Neo-psychedelia, rock, indie rock/pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My ear. Whether it be in production or mixing I trust that my ears will tell me whether something is right or not.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I come from a background of jam band music, heavy bass music, bubblegum pop, and rock. I try to combine the spontaneity of jam, the energy of rock and edm, and the sheen and pristine sound of pop music into every production and mix I work on. I'm always working towards finding new sounds and discovering new ways to get great results.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I'm mixing I'll start by just listening. I'll probably spend an hour just getting a rough balance with levels and slight panning before I even think about eq, compression or any effects. I like to mostly mix in mono on a small little mixcube and check the mix in stereo on monitors to make sure everything is where it should be. I check mixes in the car, on the phone and on various speakers before I send it to a client.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a dedicated garage studio for recording and producing as well as a professionally treated room for mixing.

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

A: Dave Fridmann, Michael Brauer, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), Stu Mackenzie(King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard) are all huge inspirations for me.

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

A: I typically work as a producer and/or a mix engineer.