Joey Douglas Carroll on SoundBetter

Can we be real for a second? Everyone loves Swiss Army Knives. They can help whatever project you are working on. Meet your music production Swiss Army knife, Joey Douglas Carroll. I am a digital bedroom pop kid that has a style that can be described as a mix between Dave Brubeck and Mac Miller. New Age, Jazz, R&B, Neosoul, I got you covered.

Are you looking for a fresh take on your track that needs a little more love? How about a catchy chorus with the perfect hook? Anyone can write a topline melody, but how many new age artists will make their melodies based on Jazz legends? If you are looking for a new sound, check out the beats that we have been cranking out daily.

I help manage Hussle4urlife Productions and two current Spotify Artist accounts, jPepper and Voxnihil. My greatest musical influences are Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Chet Baker, Steve Reich, Debussy, and Erykah Badu.

Here are a list of services that I may be able to provide:
Top-Line Melody Writing
Chorus Writing
Vocal Harmonies
Songwriting
Additional Instrumentation: Drumline, Bassline, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Sampling
Mixing and Mastering

If you have an existing project, more than likely I will be able to add on to your ideas and help them shine. Before music production, I was a musical theatre performer that has entertained audiences from Bigfork, Montana, to Canyon, Texas. I know how to tell a musical story and will help you find your voice.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

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Interview with Joey Douglas Carroll

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My pride and joy was my first original musical production called Creature: A Musical Prometheus. I wrote original vocal and dance music for the production, directed original scenes, and helped choreograph.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently, I am working on new singles for jPepper, a collaboration with a new Black female artist, a collaboration for a YouTube cover, and expanding my musical capabilities.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: N/A
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both depending on what effect you are aiming for. I enjoy the accessibility and versatility of modern digital music production.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to help you explore new musical and lyrical angles that will help you find your voice.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I enjoy the freedom to express my feelings freely in a language everyone can understand.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: As a new producer, how will you compete with those with more experience? I have performed professionally for years and am a quick learner.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Listening to music is magical, but making music is hard work.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you most passionate about in this piece? What story are you trying to tell? How can I help you get your track to where you want it to be?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: The stronger your initial idea is, the better the launching point. The more stubborn you are about details, the longer it will take to finish your masterpiece.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: If I were on a desert island, I would bring an Alesis V61 Midi Controller, a computer with Ableton downloaded on it, an electric guitar, bass, and amp.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been performing in both professional and educational musical theatre settings for years. I have just recently created Bedroom Pop Icon jPepper and collaborate to produce music out of H4ULProductions, an independent music label.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I am a new kid on the block with a digital palette. I grew up in the age of synth and auto-tune, and I have an ear for the classics. I know how to balance traditional songwriting with fresh, digitally-driven musical ideas.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would like to work with any new up-and-coming artist who is missing a small piece of a larger puzzle they have been putting together. I know how it feels to want your music to shine, and I can help any budding artist find their light.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It takes a lot of guts to put your music out there. Do not spend extra time finding that perfect sound because it does not exist. Work hard, play harder, and never look back after the release.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I am experienced in New Age music, musical storytelling, and Live Performance. I have been a professional actor and singer for years, and I am especially knowledgeable about vocal music. I am very good at digital music and can easily construct multi-layered instrumental and vocal tracks.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I am a natural leader and communicator. I love working with others to find their voice and highlight their creativity. Every member of my team feels valuable and important because I am an excellent delegator that demands high quality in my work. I love helping people capture their brand musically and further their music goals.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I have an endless bucket of creativity. I often host live streams of live vocal harmonies and improv tap. Every time I spend a couple of hours in my studio, I always leave with a more polished and refined musical product. I am a New Age musician which means that my skill may not compare with experts, but my new fresh look regarding the music industry will be valuable to anyone trying to capture a "new sound."
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually like to start working on a harmonic atmosphere first by assigning a chart for the tune. Then I shape the essential vocals (chorus, hook) and harmonies. Finally, I finish up the lyrics for each verse that tie into the main theme of the song and polish the master. I like to balance between surprise and inevitability. I often write music that is hummable but musically complex upon further review.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a half-analog / half-digital workstation that includes a keyboard midi, drum pads for percussion, two microphones for vocals, live percussion, and live guitar tracks. I mainly use the DAW Ableton, but I am also familiar with FL Studios and Logic.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I started writing when I was inspired at a young age by Steven Sondheim. I have been a theatrical performer and writer for years and am inspired by musical storytelling. I am a jazz nerd and I can easily run your ears off about my favorite Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Billie Holiday, or Chet Baker tunes. New stars like Clairo, Mac Miller, and Ariana Grande are all heavy musical influences in my work.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I can construct bass lines, midi tracks (including synth, piano tracks, guitar, strings, and percussion), add vocal harmonies, and top-line melodies. I am ready for any project, no matter what phase it is in, from conception to final mix/master.