Note – the lines between producing and arranging are often blurred these days, so for the sake of organization I’m using these definitions:
Producing: helping build a song up from scratch, often adding basic tracks such as drums, bass, keyboards, etc, and figuring out the right sounds and effects.
Arranging: Writing (and optionally helping to record) parts for additional instruments that go on top of the essential basic tracks of a song.
PRODUCING
I am equally happy to produce in my own studio or the studio of your choosing, or anywhere that music can conceivably be recorded!
My specialties are:
Rhythm: As a drummer at heart, I must say I am partial to a good groove. Adding a new dimension to a song with drums, percussion, and every other sort of instrument that can be played rhythmically is one of my favorite aspects of music making.
Texture: Should it be crispy, round, hard, wobbly, thick or thin? These are the questions I like to ask. Sound is a beautifully malleable thing that can take on an infinite number of forms, and finding the right texture for a song or a part is crucial to making the whole thing work.
Pop experimentation: I love a classic pop song, and I equally love an unexpected chord, sound, or song structure. To me, the combination of the satisfying and the strange is the sweet spot.
The things I’m not really into are:
Precise genre exercises: As much as I love drawing inspiration from all kinds of music from the past and present, I’m not all that interested in creating something that sounds exactly like a specific inspiration.
Technically “perfect”, super-hi-fi recordings: I consider myself well-versed in the technical side of recording and mixing, but I’m not drawn to the quest for perfect hi-fi sound. I prefer to use accessible tools and minimal gear, and get the best/most interesting sounds possible with those things. Most of my favorite music is technically imperfect, and that’s part of the reason I love it.
A couple examples of albums I’ve produced:
(Along with quite a few things that haven’t been released yet)
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ARRANGING
Oftentimes people will have a recording of a song that could stand on its own as it is, but could also use a little something extra. I can write parts for instruments such as horns, strings, flute, etc, and help find players to record them. I can also play and record instruments such as keyboards, guitars, percussion, and more.
I love to collaborate with artists to find new, exciting directions for a song that neither of us would have come up with on our own. I’m also happy to help you if you have your own musical ideas already but just need help bringing them to life. Additionally, some people just want to hand me their song and let me go nuts, and that’s always fun too.
Most of my arranging projects are not yet released, but here are a couple selections of things I’ve arranged, including some of my own music:
If any of this sounds interesting to you, send me an email through the contact page to get a custom quote!