My Goal and Approach

As a recording producer, my goal is to make great music that represent who you are as an artist.

The first part is obvious. You and I and whoever's paying for the production all have to agree that the resulting music is as good as can be.

The second part, on the other hand, is often overlooked or not even considered. But it is crucial in my book.

When you, the artist(s), make music, you have the responsibility to be original. By that, I don't mean a new song written for the project -- to be original means your music should truthfully reflect who you are. And because all of us are unique individuals, the music that comes out will also be unique. Music only you can make.

This is the pursuit that interests me -- to create music only you (and I together) can make. So I approach things from the bottom up -- getting to know you, your ideas for the music and your particular project, songwriting, arrangements, performance. To discover pieces that are unique to you, and to emphasize those elements.

So, while I work with a wide variety of music, if your interest lies primarily in creating "traditional" music, something that fits squarely into one genre and have no desire for experimenting, then there are better producers out there than me. But if you want to create something fresh, new, and above all "you" -- then let's take the journey together.

What I Bring/Do

"Producer" means different things to different people. I consider myself the director/manager of the project. To use filmmaking analogy, artist/players are actors, songs are scripts, engineers are camera crew, mics are the lenses. And I direct. I will take care of everything so that everybody else focus on their jobs.

What does that mean? With me, it typically starts with listening to your songs and making suggestions/arrangements. I can help you choose studios or we can concoct one at your home. I can find and hire musicians and coach them. I can mix or direct mixing sessions, and work with mastering engineers to get the music finished up consistently with the vision of the project.

I myself am a songwriter, player, singer, arranger, sequencer, editor, engineer, and mixer. That said, I do have two particular strengths: arranging and coaching.

As an arranger, I am quick to discover what a song needs in order to be as good as can be. And often not just one way -- I often think of multiple directions a song can take. From tried-and-true to off-the-wall, I am full of ideas about how to make each song good and unique. But I also know when to leave things alone -- overstuffing a song is as great of a sin as undersupporting. The recordings I produce are always a pleasure to listen to over and over, because I maintain this balance -- songs have just enough to make them each unique and interesting, but no more.

My gifts as a coach are in my ability to immediately gauge how the performer(s) is performing and to communicate in such a way that he/she is both at ease and is challenged to perform better. People dicover new things -- about their song, their instrument, and about who they are -- when I work with them. It is a very invigorating and satisfying experience.

Catalyst or Ingredient?

A producer is both a catalyst and an ingredient, but some lean more toward the latter than the former. Some producers go so far as to having signature styles and sounds, or creating music he/she wants using the artist.

Not me.

I am very big on doing only what's needed. While I have a lot to offer as an "ingredient" -- I do play multiple instruments and sing -- I see my contribution as just another of tools to make the songs good and "you." If I am not needed to make such a contribution, then I won't. In fact, if I'm working with a band/artist who wants to mainly self-produce, I'll be perfectly content to sit in the corner and offer feedback if/only when I'm asked.

Again, my goal is to make the songs good and "you" -- and I do whatever it takes, but never more than what's needed.

Do you really need a producer?

If you're asking this question, then I take it that you're just getting started and are relatively inexperienced. There is a reason why the vast majority of commercially released recordings credit someone with the title "producer."

A producer is the person in charge, the one who wears many hats, the one with the magic "fill the gap" goo that fills and repairs all the holes in the process. You, the artist, are welcome to take all or a part of a producer's role (in fact, I encourage you to at least take some responsibility of the creative decisions), but producing a project involves duties very different from that of writer/performer and it can be very difficult to focus on the most important parts -- writing great songs and performing at the top of your capacity. Decisions about every minute details, from how many times to repeat a chorus to where to place the mic to making sure all instruments are in tune -- can realy bog you down.

With a producer, you can just show up and play. Then listen to the mix and nod yay or nay (again, I encourage you to be more involved). It really frees you up to do what you do (and must do) best. Unless you know exactly what every song needs and how to get them, you'll want to have a producer for your project.

Samples

are coming soon!