Vocalist/Writer/Topliner

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recently released my sample pack "Transcending Vocals" that stayed on the Splice front page for a month+, and have worked with renowned sample pack label "Black Octopus Sound" on 4 more vocal sample packs for Splice etc. Aside from that, I am constantly writing and singing! I actually have 30+ pre recorded EXCLUSIVE toplines that are also for sale so if you are interested in them, just say the word and I can send the link! (all transactions to be made through SoundBetter)

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

A: Q. How long will delivery take? A. I’ll send over a rough sample within the first 2 days so you can decide if you’re happy with the direction, want changes, or prefer me to start fresh. Once you’re happy with the demo, it takes around another 2 days to complete the full vocal and deliver the final vocal pack. I also include one additional revision round at this stage to make sure you’re 100% satisfied! Q. Can I add you as a featured/main artist for the release on all platforms? A. We can decide this once the final song is done. If not on my main artist profile, we can do it on my alias "RAB." which still has signings released from big labels! Q. Can you send stems WET as well? A. Absolutely. The vocal pack includes DRY and WET stems, a lyrics folder, another main vocal stem that is "dry slightly processed" so you have 3 options there with the main vocal. If I am writing a song from scratch for you as well, I always include piano MIDI (I also play piano amongst and number of other instruments!)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: The main ones are: 1. What's the key and BPM of you song? 2. If you have 2-3 specific song references send them my way and I'll draw inspiration from them 3. Do you want me to link you up with my label contacts for a potential release when the record is finished?

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

A: Im assuming this Desert Island has electricity! I would take: 1. My Mac 2. My Studio Speakers 3. My Slate Mic 4. My Acoustic Guitar 5. Pen and paper for lyrics

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

A: I would love to work with either Martin Garrix or Kygo because I know my style suits what they do perfectly and we would be able to craft a no. 1 hit, 100%. Some of my songs have actually already been presented to Martin Garrix so that collaboration isn't far off I feel!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: To keep it simple, less is more! When recording vocals, I focus on getting the source as strong as possible. If you find yourself constantly fixing and tweaking the audio during the mix, it quickly becomes time-consuming and usually points to a weak recording. If you need to stack loads of plug-ins just to make a vocal sound good, something isn’t right. The voice is a human instrument. It should only need a few carefully chosen processes, so the original performance can come through and do the work.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When Toplining, I fire the Instrumental up into my DAW, sit with an SM58, play the song on a loop (in small chunks at a time) and hum through a melody. I'll do this until I am 100% convinced I have come up with the best melody. I'll then move away from the Mac for 30 mins/an hour then come back with fresh ears and make more adjustments. Then, I'll scratch down some rough lyrics and get a feel for the song, usually using those lyrical notes as a foundation for the actual lyrics. Once the song is finished, I'll usually sleep on it and let my subconscious mind mull on the Melody/Lyrics I have written, so when I come back in the morning I can change/add bits necesarry to finalise the song. Then I record the final vocal tracks and send back to the client!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a Mac, Logic Pro X (DAW), Roland JUNO_Di keyboard, Waves bundle/Soundtoys bundle/Melodyne plug ins. These plug ins work wonders when I process my Vocals for my clients - a professional standard of Vocal is always achieved when I process them, both DRY and WET.

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

A: I recently wrote the topline for a song a big instagram influencer is releasing soon. I can't wait for it to release, as it's going to be a hit!

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

A: I wrote my first few songs when I was 12. I have been playing Acoustic Guitar and singing since I was 11. I started out singing in a choir, then moving on to play Acoustic Guitar and wiritng my own songs. I also played in Heavy Metal bands and Punk Pop bands (one of which were televised a few times) through my youth. I am now 29 so its been a grand total of 18 years so far! I started working in EDM once COVID hit - the venues closed so my band couldn't play, but I didn't want that to stop me. I locked myself in my studio and started churning out the collaborations with many EDM producers, and it led me to where I am today!

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

A: EDM/Pop/Singer-Songwriter

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Lyrics, Melody and Singing

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a lot of emotion and a poetic touch to the song, regardless of the genre. I always strive to give the listener that "goosebump" feeling so when I have achieved that, It's a fact that the song is good. I use that as a landmark.

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

A: Before I started doing Toplining as my main profession, I mainly performed with my band in the Indie/Pop genre, so my influences are now some what different! If I were to go right back to my roots though, the likes of Cat Stevens, Dire Straits and James Taylor were my heroes. Getting older, I got right into Robbie Williams (Guy chambers is a songwriting genius), then on to bands like Oasis, The Fratellis and Paolo Nutini. Now I get a lot of inspiration from Artists such as John Martin, Bonn etc for the type of work I do now.

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

A: If you hire me you can rest assured I put 100% into every piece of Music. Above everything, Songwriting is and always has been my true passion and I take incredible pride in the work I create. Nothing ever gets signed off unless you are 100% happy with the final result, so I don't do revisions. - I happily work on the project until you are completely satisfied :)

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

A: I mainly do Toplining. I specialise in Pop/EDM.

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

A: I promise to only class the song as "finished" when you are 100% happy, and I will do everything from my end to help get it signed to a label with the contacts I have, if that is what you are looking for.

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

A: I would recommend my EDM Producer friend "Achilles". He is such a hard working guy and his professionalism is top tier.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that feeling of finishing a track knowing it sounds absolutely amazing. The icing on the cake is when a decent label decides to take the track on too! I have contacts in that field so thats also something to consider when thinking about hiring me!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Singer Songwriter with and EDM touch.