My Philosophy

The magic of recorded music is people playing together. When some producers snap to grid, I lean towards letting the music have its say when tempo picks up or slows down. Thats why I work in production studios that let me run a large number of mics while maintaining sonic isolation and high fidelity.

Analog or digital?

Both. I study why things sound the way they do. Nostalgia is real, it's power is potent. When we use the gear our heroes did we reach for the sounds that first inspired us. That being said, I also appreciate new technology. I find a balance between the sonic quality of classic gear with the power and agility of modern techniques. 

My History

Born in Nashville, grew up in Gainesville

Gainesville, FL has a vibrant live music scene. There was always stuff going on. Around 15 years old I started working at a music venue called Common Grounds.

I was always very motivated to work. I grew up pretty poor. The first job I got was bussing tables and working the door at a music venue called Common Grounds. After working the door I started working live sound, I was given an opportunity to learn and hone my craft. Almost immediately the doors of another world opened to me. I still feel like the recordings I do now are trying to get back to that the electricity of a great live show.

For the next few years I worked for Common Grounds, concert promoters and club owners doing stage and band gear set up. On rare occasions I'd get to work for astounding artists like Bo Diddley, Burning Spear and Snoop Dogg. 

At the age of 16 my life was forever changed, it was the year 2000. At a community college in Florida I took my first class based around the software Pro Tools. I had been only recording to tape at this point. I was astounded at the cleanliness and detail of digital recording. The lack of tape hiss, wobble, wow, and flutter made my jaw drop. Sound design and manipulation became an uncontrollable fascination of mine. It still is.

Chicago and Education

By 18 I was asked to move to Chicago and work for a professional band: Vini and the Demons, doing tradition and Chicago electric blues music. At the time they were managed by Sherli Dixon, the daughter of Willie Dixon (a legendary songwriter and producer at Chess Records). This was my first glimpse into a world famous music scene, Chicago Blues. This was a magical time for me. Words can’t describe it. Also I don’t want to describe it here.

Understanding that music was my passion, I understood that a good education was the key. Only having a GED and being full of piss and vinegar, I set my sights on an Ivy League education. So I worked hard. In 2004 I was excepted to Columbia College of Fine Arts, a college of Columbia University and began to study audio production.

New York CITY

In my spare time I worked whatever job I could find. It was there that I worked in a professional studio for the first time. The art and science of recording music on a professional level was still new to me. Everyone at the Kennel Recording Studios taught me so much. If you are every there I highly recommend stopping by and checking them out.

These experiences tempered my love and knowledge of music production. I learned what it takes to get things done.

MY FIRST STUDIO

After years living and working in Manhattan, my wife and I left the hustle of the city to begin a family. California was our first choice. I first moved to Lakeport, a rural spot on a beautiful lake north of Napa Vally. While we were enjoying the peace and pace of life there, I saw an opportunity to start a recording studio. In an old redwood warehouse at a winery I build a studio from the ground up. For two years I pieced together a place to record that I could share with the community. 

Santa Cruz

Cool People, amazing music culture and proudly weird -my kinda town. Shortly after arriving in Santa Cruz I met Patrick Brede and the great people at Gadgetbox Studios. Patrick and I went on to make several records there that I am still very proud of. I learned so much in the 3 years I was there. Unfortunately they are no longer in business but I wish them all well. Now I am Sr. Engineer and Production Manager at Indigital Studios. 

I have ongoing relationships with serveral recording studios in the Bay Area, each with their own special advantages so whatever you're trying to do we can find the right spot to do it in.

I Beta Test for UA. I do killer work for 3 companies on the SMP list.

Let me work for you.

Email me! Let’s talk about your project.