Piano/Keys/Vox/Producer

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

A: There's a couple I'd name. One is called "Uncovered." It's a collection of covers that David Nail released a few years ago and I did all the piano/synth work on it. I think we did some really cool arranging of some familiar songs. Another project that is Ruthie Collins' record "Cold Comfort". I played piano on it; we tracked live at Curb Studios in Nashville. It's a record with great writing and production and 100% worth the listen. And lastly, I produced David Nail's EP's "Bootheel 2020" and "Bootheel 2021" and I produced my LP "Expectations." I think both of these are great examples of some of my instincts as a producer and the colors and textures I find really pleasing. Any artist is of course proud of the work they release but I'm really happy with the stuff I've done under my name as well as Common Heights.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm always working on various projects for sync, be it my own stuff, my band Common Heights, or my composer pseudonym Boreís. I am doing a lot of production at the moment as well with a few different indie artists, and then of course the steady session work on keys and vocals.

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

A: Josh Sudduth or Pat Kiloran for production and Peter Ferguson for guitar. These dudes are great musicians and friends. Also, my wife, Callie Cryar. Objectively - she is a dynamite vocalist!

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

A: Nord stage 3. Shure SM7B. MacBook Pro (with all my software/plugins). Apollo x4. Puerh tea (to drink - gotta stay hydrated!).

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

A: I've been at it for 16 years professionally. After 4 years of studying music at Belmont and graduating in 2007, I've been cracking away at music since. I was primarily a live player for many of those early years but as time has gone along I've done more and more studio work and songwriting.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I think I lean towards the moody, cinematic stuff. I have a lot of pop and jazz influences but I think I am pretty versatile stylistically - depending on what the client is looking for.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen to thing that inspire you and try to match that. It's good to know how other people got sounds you liked so that you constantly grow your tools. Then - be creative and do your own thing. Don't only copy other people but studying stuff you love is a great start.

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

A: All kinds. I guess being in Nashville it's most commonly country music but there's a lot of pop work as well. I've done a few jazz and R&B projects recently that I think turned out really great.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio with a few different keyboards (Nord's, primarily) as well as a Yamaha upright piano built in the late 80's that sounds terrific. I use a Shure SM7B for vocals typically and I run things through an Apollo x4 and a UA LA-610. I use sE8's on my upright piano.

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

A: I listen to various genres but from a lyrical standpoint, I really have grown to love the likes of John Mayer, Jason Isbell and some other alternative country artists. For production or melodic inspiration, I turn to Bon Iver, Asgeir and Ethan Gruska

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I"m a player first so definitely my ability at the keys. That skill is my most practiced and refined. I also feel I am a strong singer and have really come into my own as a producer/mixer.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either. Depends on the context.

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

A: To deliver a great product in a timely manner that hopefully exceeds their expectations!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating. Making something new that wasn't there before. That and improvising in a live gig on the spot. Again - it's a moment of pure inspiration and I think that's worth chasing.

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

A: Haha! How much is this gonna cost? Nah kidding - I guess hey can you do this? And I usually say yes because even if it's not 100% in my wheelhouse it's a great chance to learn.

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

A: I think it's that traveling around playing music is always amazing and fun and never a grind. It absolutely can be at times. It also is an incredible job that I do not take for granted but it's a hustle just like any work!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I try to be thorough to save time for both people. I try to know as much as I can about what they're hearing/wanting. Some clients have been very helpful to be really thorough and clear up front. The more info, the better, in most cases.

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

A: Find the person who is enthusiastic about your project and wants to get it right and tries to understand what you're looking for! You're paying and should get a great product!

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

A: I mentioned him already, but Justin Vernon is pretty high on the list. He has an incredible ear for melody and always seems to know the mood he wants to create with his music and then he executes it so beautifully. That would be a cool collaboration.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think I'm great at adding color or something unique, whether that be a little hook here or there or a choice vocally that's maybe left of center. I can certainly do the down the middle thing if that's desired but I like to think outside the box and take a chance here and there.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the job, but, I like to listen to the demo/worktape and chart it first before anything and also listen to references if any are given. It helps me wrap my head around the song and gather ideas for tracking. I like to do a few takes before I settle but sometimes that first take will have the magic and I'll just roll with that one and make a few edits.

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

A: I do all kinds of things, including wearing the production and mixing hat more often these days. My bread and butter for a long time has been any keyboard needs and BGV or lead vocals.