Singer/Songwriter

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

A: For my Bachelor project, I wrote and co-produced a dystopian sci-fi concept album! The work demanded a great deal of research, careful lyrical choices to ensure there was a cohesive narrative, and innovative production choices to create a sonic universe to invite the listener into and allow the narrative to exist within. It was the most challenging set of songs I've ever had to work on, but was also so fun! Although I love (and, if I may say so myself, am good at) writing a good pop banger, it was a pleasure to intellectualize and over-think every individual line and musical choice to ensure it was fitting for the greater work!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on pitching projects for KPOP, producing for a couple artists, and additionally am working towards the release of an upcoming album for my solo project!

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

A: As I am new to SoundBetter, I am afraid I have no answer for this category at this moment!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital! Although, admittedly, mainly because I can't afford analog...let's write a grammy hit and see if my answer changes ;)

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

A: My promise to my clients is a collaboration which prioritizes respect. I value clear communication and honesty, and wish to do whatever in my power to not only be attentive towards my clients vision, but also to value and honor my client as a person.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love meeting people with a shared mutual love and appreciation for music! Having the chance to work with and connect with inspiring and talented individuals is one of my favorite aspects of this industry.

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

A: I find it incredibly difficult to answer this question - I don't think there's been one specific question customers have continuously asked me...I'll be sure to update this field one comes up!

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

A: In regards to composition (production or songwriting), I would say I believe the biggest misconception to be that artists simply create a song according to their wanting and liking. Over my years working with music, I've come to the personal discovery and belief that the role of the artist is to serve the song, not the other way around. I see songs as entities which are communicated and translated from ideas into audible products through musicians, and that it is the duty of the artist/songwriter/producer to approach the song with curiosity to discover what it needs to be the best version of itself it can be.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: The questions I ask my prospective clients has everything to do with how deep our collaboration is (as in, the more they wish to invite me in to their creative process, the more personal I would want to be with my questions to ensure I am honoring their vision). Still, all good collaboration starts with a shared destination, so my questions will always be "what is the purpose of this piece?", "what are you looking for in a partnership with me?", and on a strictly profession level, "what are you expecting from me?".

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

A: I advise my potential clients to attempt to disregard age as an indicator of my ability. Listen to my work - judge me on the evidence I can provide instead!

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

A: I suppose my room is already a desert island...(joke - kinda - considering my less impressive studio set up) No, in all seriousness, I would bring my computer (with the amount of plugins I have, maybe that's even cheating!), a proper audio interface, a good microphone, high quality speakers, and a midi keyboard. A basic set up to some, but everything I need to make some bangers!

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

A: I've been working with and around music since I was 15, where I was signed as an artist and songwriter to a label. I am now 21, have a bachelor degree in songwriting, and am intent on making music my full time reality.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My personal style of music I would describe to be dark, heavy, but still beautiful. I enjoy playing with drastic contrast when composing - heart wrenching and disturbing lyrics sung with a delicate and decorated melody, aggressive and irritating percussion with soothing angelic instrumentals, etc. I love working with dissonance, with instrumental melodic hooks, and I LOVE harmonies!

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

A: I find this question honestly incredibly difficult to answer - I would love to work with any artist who shares my passion for creating authentic music and cherishing the creative process along the way. I find every artist I work with teaches me something new, for which I am grateful and makes me only more curious to work more collaboratively!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The true "polish" of any production lies in the details - the difference between a half-done sounding demo and a demo where people stop and say "hey, that's ready for release!" can often simply come down to automation. To give concrete examples: automating reverb and volume on instrumental tracks to properly build up to impact, automating delay to compliment and support a vocal rather than compete with it, automating EQ frequencies of a lead synth to ensure it melds and blends with the sonic universe when the composition calls for it, etc.

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

A: The main music I work with has been indie/singer-songwriter pop, and alternative electronic dark pop (both genres I have explored in my solo project). That said, I have more recently begun writing for Reggaeton, KPOP, RnB artists, and trap pop. I am, however, always excited to attempt working with new genres - if not through collaboration, I do my best to expand my own horizons and push my musical abilities.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Previous creative partnerships have described me as a "shark for hooks" - I take great pride in my ability to come up with catchy melodies without compromising the narrative and depth of the song. I take a great deal of melodic inspiration from Reggaeton, a genre which I firmly believe has some of the strongest and catchiest melodies and hooks. Topline aside, I am a prolific lyricist. Having grown up reading a great deal of literature, I find that my love for language, literary devices and descriptive storytelling enhances my lyricism and allows for the lyrics to exist separate from a song as a literary piece of its own!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a mindset that I, and all decisions, should be in service to the song. I pride myself in my ability to set aside my ego in the creative process, while still having the ability to offer a strong sense of creative direction for any compositional work. I have a powerful musical intuition which is colored by my broad and international taste in music and experience.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I typically start with compiling sources of inspiration for the direction of a work - this can be anything from concrete musical references, to mood boards on pinterest - the goal is to ensure I and the artist I am working with are on the same page as to which direction we are headed! When it comes to composing any work, emotion is a huge focus of mine. No matter whether I am writing or producing a song, I am always asking myself, "what is the emotion behind this? What emotion am I capturing with this line/phrase/melody?". I find storytelling and a cohesive narrative throughout the song to be very important, and therefore focus on ensuring all elements tie the song back to it's core; the emotion which inspires the song in the first place.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I don't have a fancy studio set up - if you are looking for perfectly polished, manicured products I am likely not the producer you are looking to work with. If you are looking for a musician with a fresh and alternative perspective, a collaboration rooted in respect and humanity, and a focus on creating something unique and authentic, then I can say with confidence I am someone who would fit those descriptions. I work mainly from my bedroom and my laptop - I have an audio technica condenser microphone, a scarlett sound card, and a trusty pair of headphones (I do not underestimate the importance of a good studio set up, but I absolutely do challenge the notion that it is only with a good studio set up that one is able to create great music!!)

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

A: Childish Gambino, Raye, Ariana Grande, and Doechii are a few of many (and I mean MANY!) artists I find myself consistently returning to. Their stylistically diverse discographies, bold musical expressions, and a deep appreciation for music as an art form rather than simply a means of gaining fame I find to be deeply inspiring.

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

A: I am most experienced with songwriting (topline and lyrics). I have also, more recently, begun producing for other artists as well. When it comes to production, I have up until this point mainly worked with electronic sounds, and particularly working with unconventional sounding samples or instruments and discovering how it can enhance a work when put in a more commercial sound context. Whether songwriting or producing, both processes tends to take starting point in a reference track the artist has recently found themselves inspired by, which then, depending on my and the artists mutual vision and intention, takes its own direction from there.