Vintage Drums n' Perc

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

A: My buddy Daniel Griffo is a great session drummer in San Diego as well and he absolutely kills the big beefy Paul Maybury vibe. Also, Brian McMaster is a brilliant guitarist who I have had the honor of working with quite a bit! He is on all of my demo tracks here on SoundBetter.

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

A: It'll be different if you want it to. You'll also love it or you don't pay a dime!

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

A: I've been playing the drums for about 18 years now. I just love it so much!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Gritty, organic, vibey, and tight. You'll see what I mean.

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

A: Blake Mills at the moment. He has one of the most unique voices on the guitar and in production. He hears time in a very interesting way and I would be so stoked to work with him.

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

A: IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER- Production: Glyn Johns, Tony Berg, Ethan Gruska, Blake Mills, Finneas O'Connel, T Bone Burnett, Joe Henry, Tyler Chester, and Tyler Halford Artists: Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, James Brown, The Beatles, George Harrison, John Lennon, Eagles, Steely Dan, Toto, Big Thief, Ethan Gruska, Phoebe Bridgers, Hozier, Switchfoot, Jon Foreman, Briston Maroney, Norah Jones, Chick Corea, Black Dub, Tower of Power, Bill Evans, Colony House, Sara Bareilles, Spyro Gyra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Khruangbin, David Ramirez, Ray LaMontagne, Rayland Baxter, Emily King, Aretha Franklin, Yebba, Matthew Wright, Titus Haug, Tyson Motsenbocker, T Bone Burnett, Joe Henry, Tom Petty, Nirvana, and many many more! Drummers: Aaron Redfield, Jay Belerose, Aaron Sterling, Brian Blade, Benny Greb, Rob Humphries, James Gadson, Al Jackson Jr., John Bonham, Dave Grohl, Chad Butler, Levon Helm, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr, Abe Laboriel Jr., Joey Warnoker, Darren King, JP Bouvet, Matt Chamberlin, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine, Jake Reed, Tamir Barsilay, Will Chapman, Lucien Chatin, Kyle Crane, Abe Rounds, Mario Claire, Marcus Gilmore and many many others...

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

A: Q: "What was that sound at (insert part of song)?" A: (Often) "Oh thats this thing I found on the side of the road doubled, hard panned left and right and then compressed like crazy with tons of delay."

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

A: I once got called in the middle of a random Thursday to record with the great Matthew Wright (David Ramirez, Sara Bareilles, Tyson Motsenbocker, Telephone Friends) at Tyler Halford's (Frank Ocean, Foster the People) studio in Escondido. I had time to grab one snare drum, my cymbals, and sticks and went over. He played the song once, and then we tracked live the room with two microphones (a vocal mic and a room mic in the corner). They kept the first take. It was the purest and most magical musical moment of my life. I can't wait for it to be released! The song is so great and the memory is amazing too!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on a rad singer songwriter project as well as cleaning out my studio and hard drive.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: YES! Both are included in my workflow. Analog gear is amazing and the element of committing on the way in is an amazing way to work. Plus the harmonic distortion is really something special. On the flip side, when you are working remotely, committing too hard with analog compressors or EQ's that the artist/engineer may or may not love is a big risk to take and may leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth at the end of the session. I send everything dry and also include wet stems in case the artist/engineer really liked something I did.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Making music is the most rewarding and beautiful thing to do with your time. I get sucked in completely with every project. I feel like a kid and am obsessed with the whole thing and lose all concept of time while in my studio. I love drums, I love recording, I love making cool stuff with people and playing shows. Its just the best!

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

A: Since I have a space, that there is no cost in recording or that it doesn't take very long to do. I pay rent, and sometimes it takes a little bit to get sounds. But for the most part people generally get the whole deal.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Reference tracks Feel of the song Dynamic changes throughout the track sections

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

A: Have some reference tracks with what you are hoping to get out of the tracking session. Record your track to a click if possible. Get STOKED because making music is awesome!

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

A: DRUMS: GAFF TAPE, 60's Ludwig Acrolite, 70's Gretsch kit, 17" Agop Hats, 22" Byzance Symmetry Ride RECORDING GEAR: Audient ASP 800, SM57, WA 47jr, EV DO54,12 Gauge Red guy

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Apart from getting great sounds at the source and a solid performance, creative panning and double tracking are two trade marks of my production style.

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

A: Singer-Songwriter stuff is the most common, and I LOVE playing on that kind of music!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Getting great drum sounds in my room. I have worked in my room and know it so well, I can get the vibe right in here every time.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: FEEL. I have a different set of ears with a very diverse set of influences, as well as good quality gear and the songs best interest in mind.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I speak to the artist about where they want the song to go, reference tracks, and what they hope to FEEL. Once we talk about these details, I get to work and will send a reference bounce to make sure we are on the right track. Once I get feedback, I will finish up the track and send another bounce. Once that is approved, I will bounce out all of the files both wet and dry.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My inspiring studio space is just three blocks from Cardiff Reef in Encinitas, California. I have a very versatile range of drum sounds that I can pull from with the gear that I have. From organic to modern sounds, I have you covered! 13 Mics, high quality monitoring, and a treated room with lots of vibe (the good kind)! I love my space!

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

A: Most often I record myself playing drums and percussion on singer/songwriter tracks as well as rock and funk tracks.