Production

It all starts and ends with the song. I'm not a producer who needs to put his stamp on everything he touches. I don't have a "sound." I focus your sound.

Pre-production can encompass everything from me simply getting familiar with the songs, to providing a fresh perspective on arrangement, instrumentation, and lyrics. Each project is different. Each approach is tailored.

Being an engineer/producer is an interesting state of being. I must simultaneously focus on the details of microphone selection, placement, recording levels, and the monitor mix, while simultaneously stepping back to listen the song as a whole and help guide the performances to get what's best for the song from the musicians. But sometimes I just need to stay out of the way and let the magic happen.

Edison Suit

This is my do-whatever-the-hell I want collaboration with guitarist extraordinaire Mark Smith.

We've produced two albums that are an amalgamation of electronic and acoustic elements. In addition to the many instruments that Mark and I play, we've brought in a host of other musicians we know and respect to add their magic to the blend.

The first album, The Ones Who Keep the Machine Functioning Smoothly is all instrumental. The second album simply titled β is a double CD with vocal pieces on one disc and instrumental pieces on the other.

Edison Suit songs have been used on MTV's Real World and licenced by Columbia Tristar.

Composing & Arranging

In addition to my work with Edison Suit, I composed music for the award winning documentary Earthlings, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix.

In 2010 I was commissioned to compose a microtonal string octet piece for The Hutchins Consort as part of a program funded by a grant from the NEA. I have also written string octet arrangements of Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Roundabout for them. I have also composed music for numerous television commercials and corporate videos.