Singer - Songwriter - Topliner

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

A: Pan Am Theme Song - Together We Are One (Performed by Serena Ryder). I co-wrote the song, sang back vocals and played guitar on it. It got me my first SOCAN #1 award as a songwriter. The song was used over the Pan Am games in Toronto 2015 as it's official theme, so played everywhere in the city. I even saw it synced to a Cirque Du Soleil performance and with fireworks off of the CN Tower. I'm especially proud of this one because it was a song I wrote in a day with people I just met (I often am thrown into writing rooms by my publisher). This room just had a special vibe that day, as I've felt many times but it's always such a cool feeling when you know it's one of those. In any case, as with most songs, once written and heard by some people, even industry guys, everyone had an opinion about what they would change. It was one of the first songs I chose to disregard what others thought and trust my team and I, the songwriters, first. We believed in it so never changed a thing. 2 years later, it landed with great success out here. What made it special is that before that point, I would often let outside influence into the creative aspect of music. I'm talking about those not part of the creative process. Marketing guys, some label people, managers, business guys, you name it. I'd bend over backwards trying to please to maybe get a better shot at a successful track. Before that point, I did get some radio success but it was after that point that I got much more of it, both with my solo project and on songwriting. I'd make sure before something left the studio or was wrapped, the creative team was all on board and convinced that we had something great. I trusted my gut and my ear much more and it was a turning point for me. Been happier and making better music in my opinion ever since.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Solo project (new EP and DJ features coming out soon), songwriting for my publisher (Japan, US, Canada, Paris), building my home studio, regular clientele and overall branding.

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

A: I'm still fairly new to SoundBetter but all the guys that have hired me so far have been stellar.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Mix of both. Digital isn't yet there with simulating everything (I don't feel anyways) but a mix of both cause for now, getting all the awesome gear I'd like in analog format would cost me in the 6 digits that I don't have lying around, and, if you know how to use your gear, analog and/or digital, you can make amazing pro sounding products.

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

A: Quality pro work delivered in a timely fashion. You'll get clean tracks, every time, and that will import easily into your projects. Hassle free. I'm here to save you time and get you what you need for your song.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to do music full time. I live and breath it. Was always doing it part time and had a goal very young to build it into a career. While it's a slightly different scenario than I may have envisioned at 8 years old, at the base of it, I'm doing what I love for a living and feel extremely lucky.

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

A: Honestly, my experience with SoundBetter has been awesome so far. I don't get many general questions. Clients have asked me to do something and I guess the most common questions would be: Q - Can you make this awesome A - Yes Opinion based of course, lol. But I will be honest with clients. If the core song is weak and they hire for vocal tracks, it has happened that they asked me what I thought of the song. I gave my opinion that it may be less relevant to my ear in today's market but I also don't have a crystal ball (which is the honest truth, I've heard some questionable hits for sure, hehe). In those cases, I'll offer running their ideas and an alternative one, or one with less 'boundaries' so they have a choice of their original melody and strict ideas or perhaps some modifications that I'd hear going with my gut and songwriting background. They can choose at that point and it's all the same to me. I want to provide them with what they need.

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

A: That production is key. Man... it is so not. It's got to start with the right song. The core has to be solid to build it up properly afterwards. The goal performance has to be spot on. With all that, production will make something greta into something undeniable. But don't put all the weight on production. You can't convince people a bad song is a good one no matter what the production is.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you looking for. What do you want it to sound like. Any reference tracks you can send so I can get in the same ball park vibe you had in mind for the song.

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

A: Use your ears to judge. I can attempt to write the best bio and sales pitch all day long just like everyone else but ultimately, we are lucky enough to be in music where you can judge guys like me by the work we've done. I included a sample reel showcasing songs I've written and sung on. Take a listen. If you like it, cool, hit me up and let's talk about your project. Don't be shy to contact me with any questions or comments. Every project is different. If my showcase reel and written details doesn't convince you yet, I work on so many projects that I just might have a sample that will be a better fit for what you're looking for so by all means, hit me up and let me know more about what you're looking for.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio set up is a high end home studio. Proper sound treatment on the walls. Mackie monitors. For vocals, usually singing in a Blue Kiwi running through a Vintech x73i and TUBE-TECH CL-1B, or a UA 6176 and into my Apollo card. Sounds saweeeeet... :)

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

A: Newmann U47, my acoustic Gibson J-45, Neve classic EQ strip, LA2A, Shadow Hills Stereo Comp (assuming an Apollo sound card and my MacBook don't count in this hypothetical, or else switch out the Neve, LA 2A and Shadow Hills unfortunately for a UA 6176 and make sure I have a sound card and something to record with, lol).

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

A: Been doing music part time since a teen and full time in the last 7 years or so. Was always was in rock bands. Got signed young. Traveled. Music videos, radio singles, etc... Opened for Bon Jovi, Sick Puppies and a few rock guys. Was a blast. Early on, also was signed to a publishing deal as a songwriter. When my band and I chose to stop the band, I focused on a solo singer / songwriter career. As a solo artist, I was (and still am) signed to a record label who helps me with my first 3 singles, all of which hit #1 in various radio stations in Quebec (my province in Canada). On the songwriting side, I traveled the world, from Europe, to Paris, Nashville, Japan, across Canada, you name it. I wrote with tons of artists and pro writers all over. Some successes include #1 songs from my solo album in Quebec, Canadian #1 songs I co-wrote such as "Together We Are One" performed by Serena Ryder, and "Watch Out" on the #1 album in Japan. All of these helped build my name in the niche songwriting industry and in my province so it got me writing songs for younger artists, labels, mangers and singing on a lot of projects, even radio jingles and wedding bands for the fun side gig from time to time. Now, I'm continuing my solo career as a singer and songwriter, still traveling but also looking to do more from my home studio when possible since I love it and will hopefully give me a little more flexibility long term.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Songwriting - Pop with a twist to stick out of the 'overheard' and 'overdone' crowd but remain extremely hook driven. Singing - Powerful, emotional and as intense or subtle as each song needs.

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

A: Sia and Bruno Mars. Both monster songwriters and singers who have my full attention when they sing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be lazy.

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

A: Varies tremendously. At the core, most would be considered as 'pop'. It hooks you in and makes you feel something. More specifically, pop, rock, RnB, funk, blues, country, EDM, Dubstep, etc... The core song and vocals are sometimes produced (or even re-produced) in very different styles but at the core, they remain normally very hook driven songs so the one word answer, 'pop' :)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Understanding how to make a listener feel the music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Passion, vibe and feeling. I believe it starts with a strong song at the core and then needs a solid, passion driven vocal performance to make the audience fully appreciate and feel the music. This is what I bring to the table.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Start with a focused mind and understanding what the job needs, what the client wants. Download needed files, set up a project and take the time it takes to read instructions, understand them, listen to all references mentioned a lot before even starting anything. If Toplining, will get a title or rough idea thought out before hammering out lines. With melodies, I like having my iPhone recording a scratch the very first time I hear the beat. Some of the best core ideas tend to come from a first listen and just singing what feels right without thinking much about it. Will of course fine tune like heck after, or run dozens of ideas for each part to always try beating things out until they make me feel like they fit and the song is right. Usual sign is if I take a break, walk away for a while, distract myself and can easily at any point sing every part of the song written earlier. For singing, same start. I just tend to run a few passes of the song to warm up, might grab a bite to eat and then use a chunk of uninterrupted time after to run through every part of the song and comp tracks to make a master vocal that makes me feel what I believe the song needed.

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

A: Singing wise, Michael Jackson is a tough act to beat but I'm inspired by any singers who can make me feel something; Freddy Mercury (Queen), Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Sia, Cristina Aguilera, you name it. Production wise, most guys off of "Mix With The Masters".

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

A: These days I am toplining, songwriting and singing A LOT for my clients and their songs from my home studio set up and slowly building a name in mastering as well. Ultimately, feels like I'm in front of a mic all week and I love it. Keeps making me better and more efficient. The regular week includes writing lyrics, melodies, studying reference songs given to match the desired vibe, singing a ton, writing back vocal arrangements, tightening up vocal tracks, mixing and mastering.