Performer, writer and producer

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

A: I co-produced a track called 'Naked' for London based artist Slang. That was really cool because I was already a fan of his when I got the session to work on some stuff with him.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Right now I'm working on a track for my band which is basically an indie track with a hip hop beat.

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

A: I'm pretty new to this platform but when I get to know it a bit better I'll give you a better answer!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Bit of both. You can't beat using an analog synth like a Prophet or a Juno but then working digitally so much quicker and gives you a lot more options.

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

A: To do everything I can to help them make something they can be really proud of!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It doesn't feel like a job. I find all aspects of making music really fascinating and when I'm not working on paid jobs I'm working on my own stuff. It's like getting paid to do my hobby, which is pretty awesome.

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

A: Look for someone who you think you can give your honest opinion to so that you end up with what you want from the end product.

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

A: Guitar, laptop with all my plugins, interface, a great mic and a midi keyboard

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

A: I started by writing songs in my bedroom and then eventually gigging them. I went to university to study music in Liverpool where I formed my band and started recording at Parr Street Studios. There I learned how to engineer and produce and eventually ended up with my own studio. I've been writing and performing for fifteen years since I was a kid and producing for seven years since I've been 18.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Chilled

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

A: I think RAYE writes incredible pop tunes. I'd love to do a session with her just to hear her sing in real life too!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Find the music important musical element of the song and build around that. That could be a vocal, a guitar line or even an amazing percussion part. It's a producers job to find that magic element, maximise it's potential and compliment it with the rest of the production.

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

A: My own band Venus Demilo is what I'd describe as 'alt-pop'; we love littering our music with hooks which is where the pop comes from but then we go out of our way with every production to find unusual sounds to try and create something that might not have been heard before.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'd say my strongest skill is taking an idea and helping craft it into a complete song. I learned classically when I was younger and have a good knowledge of theory which is useful when looking for what direction the song should go in next. I've also worked on a lot of tracks in one day writing sessions which require you to work through and finish songs under time restrictions which although isn't right for every track, is a useful skill to have.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Pop without the cheese

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: This varies from session to session and depends on what the client is looking for. I'll usually like to chat to the client over Zoom to get an idea for the sound they'd like and any inspiration they might have for the track. Once I have the stems, I can then feel my way around the track and map out my interpretation of what I think the client is looking for from their music. I'll then send over a first mix to check it's going in the right direction and ask for some thoughts. I'll then add these in and send over another mix for any final tweak suggestions by which point we should hopefully have the finished product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in both Logic Pro X and Pro Tools depending on the demands of the session. It's a production studio more than a tracking studio so instead of a desk I have a UA Apollo with a pair of Genelec monitors. My most recent purchase is a vintage Brenell Mk. 5 tape machine to create some more vintage tones.

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

A: Matty Healy is a really impressive musician. He's what I'd describe as an all round music professional and that's how I'd hope I'm perceived by those who know me. Steve Levine is a producer I look up to too; I've worked with him a few times in his studio in Liverpool and he's just completely absorbed in what he's doing. He's been producing hits since the 80s and you'd think the magic would fade after a while but if anything he's even more excited by experimenting with sounds than most 20 somethings I work with.

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

A: Most often I'll work with artists from start to finish on their track. We'll start with a writing session to inspire some ideas for them and keep working until the track is ready for release.

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

A: People are always interested in how I got into writing and producing. I knew I wanted to do it since I was about 18 and I worked for free for anyone I gigged with that I thought was good when I was learning. Recommendations ended up leading to paid work.

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

A: That it's talent rather than hard work

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Usually what their references are (a Spotify playlist is useful) and what kind of artist they'd like to be considered similar to.