One Stop Creative Shop

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My band is completing our 2nd EP and writing songs to possibly release our first LP. I also have a few co-writes with upcoming artists that sound great.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It's 2022. Digital can do some amazing things. I'm not exclusive to one or the other, I use both.

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

A: Moonwater, the self-titled EP I released with my band. I have written many songs with peers at college, with students at the Academy I worked with, with my friends and with myself, but this was my first full fledged release. I co-wrote these songs, I produced them and performed them and that will always be special to me.

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

A: To work hard and make something you can be proud of. Music is a personal thing, and I want to promise that you can trust me to understand that and replicate and present it correctly.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating art and sharing it with people. That closure and moment of sharing something you spent a lot of time, thought, (money) and care to create.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your message? What are you trying to say/portray with your lyrics, or your arrangement/production. Who are your inspirations? Do you have a song or artist in mind when you hear your ideas?

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

A: Get to know the person you're hiring or at least have a good idea of who they are and the work they create.

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

A: My acoustic, a device with voice memos, a notebook, teenage engineering OP-1, MacBook

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

A: I picked up the guitar at age 12 and hardly put it down after that. I spent 4 years studying my craft at Berklee College of Music, allowing me to meet all different types of musicians from all over the world. After my educational career, I returned home and began teaching at a music academy and studio. Now I work with my band and want to continue freelancing.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Emotional. My styles and genres expand beyond traditional labels, but the one thing I always keep in mind is resonating with the performer in such a way that the listener feels the same way. Whether I'm the guitarist, the songwriter or the producer, I always want the music to be authentic and emotional.

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

A: Childish Gambino. His creative mind and track record is remarkable to me.

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

A: I write, produce and perform in a band that is alt pop/rock style. It's a blend of rock music with a love for exploring sound design and synths. I have also done a lot of writing sessions with smaller, acoustic based projects in the style of singer-songwriter.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My greatest asset is my curiosity. I love the challenge of facing new music, it makes me relentless in wanting to make art of an idea or a riff, a sentence that could make a great lyric. It allows me to be open minded in working with multiple styles, as well as stepping out of my comfort zone in an effort to make the best project possible.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Patience and perspective. I'm never quick to give up on an idea, but never mull on an idea for too long. I love the exploration and curiosity of new ideas.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: As a songwriter, it's just me, my notepad and the guitar or keyboard. If I'm producing, it usually begins with the guitar. I always look to have the form of the arrangement mostly complete in my mind, then begin building the track.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work predominantly in Logic Pro-X. I use Focusrite for my pre's, and typically turn to Slate Digital products for mixing. I use a Korg Minilogue XD for my analog synth sounds, as well as various synth VSTs (ANA 2, Izotope Iris 2, Alchemy, Kontakt). My workhorse mic is my Slate VMS ML-1. I am a bedroom producer but am looking to expand and increase my workload.

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

A: As a guitarist, I really admire the frontmen styles like John Mayer and Tom Misch, but I also love the more melodic band roles such as Jonny Buckland of Coldplay and Adam Hann of 1975. As a songwriter, I admire Jason Isbell, Maggie Rogers and Chris Martin. As a producer, I love the work of Matty Healy and George Daniel of the 1975, Tom Misch and Dave Cobb.

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

A: I have worked most as a songwriter and producer/arranger as the guitarist.