Mixing⏯️Songwriter⏺️Top Liner

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Melodic first- I love the art of creating unique and captivating melodies and hooks. Smart, clever lyrics and rhyme schemes are also among my favorite things to create. Generally speaking, my stylistic leanings gravitate towards the genre best defined as 'powerpop'.

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

A: I'm a big fan of songwriters like The Beatles, XTC, Jon Brion, Elliot Smith, Rufus Wainwright, 10CC, Jellyfish, Sam Phillips, Michael Penn.. as for producers & recording engineers, people like Jeff Lynne, Mutt Lange, Steve Albini, Sylvia Massy & T-Bone Burnett come to mind.

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

A: Yes! Stefanie Drexler! She's the most unbelievable female voice talent you can hope to find.. instant magic for nearly any genre, but especially pop- from high-energy to ballad. https://soundbetter.com/profiles/137491-stefanie-drexler

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

A: I'd love to work with Jon Brion, because he's an incredible talent as a producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and film composer. I just wish he'd make another solo record, so I'd be sure to needle him about that.

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

A: Pop and rock productions mostly, but I've also produced and recorded in other genres such as country, hip-hop, electronica, R&B and classical.

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

A: I scored the documentary film "Raising Matty Christian", which is both heartbreaking and inspirational, and it was a real pleasure composing different 'moods' to support each scene, without getting in the way of the film's content.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: In between paid jobs, I am finishing up a new album of original songs written and recorded at home, during the pandemic.

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

A: I will treat your project as if it were my own project- doing the best job I can do is the only way I know how to work.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creative thinking aspect- dreaming, imagining, and working hard to make those dreams become a reality.

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

A: I dedicated myself to a career in songwriting and recording starting at age 13, and it led me to Berklee College of Music in Boston. More than three decades later, I've never stopped writing and creating.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: My golden rule is that every single part (instrument, sound, effect) should serve the SONG, working together, rather than showing off or competing for attention.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring attention to detail and thoughtfulness to every aspect of a song I'm working on.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Much of my studio is 'in-the-box' these days. I've had decades of experience working with analog studio equipment, but thanks to advancements in analog-modeled console and tape machine software by UAD, Brainworx and others, I find I can achieve the same analog warmth and depth that was once only possible with 'the real thing'. The exceptions are my acoustic piano, guitars, and effects pedals- as the owner of 'On The Road Effects', I've built more than 400 analog guitar pedals, some of which are in the hands of artists like Buddy Guy, Duke Robillard and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.