Hear Their Career
Location:
Boston/NYC
How did you become a producer/sound engineer?
I initially went to music school to study violin performance, but halfway through my first semester I was diagnosed with focal dystonia and lost the use of my left index finger! I decided to pivot towards learning production since it didn’t require ten working fingers. Fell in love with it and never looked back.
What advice would you give students either going into school or just graduating about getting a job in this industry?
Trust your instincts! Whether it’s about a person, a project, or an artistic decisions, you can trust your gut to make the best choice. Make choices boldly and don’t second guess yourself, and you’ll find yourself around people and projects you love.
What are the major qualities required to be a good sound engineer in your opinion?
Creativity, attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture, and communication! I think that to be a good sound engineer, you only need to replicate what you were taught or what you saw someone else do – but to be a great sound engineer, you need to take risks for the sake of the song. That’s why communication is so important – aligning the vision will tell you exactly which risks to take! In my opinion, there’s more to good engineering than just getting a clean recording, and taking those risks will elevate the record.
What is your recording/producing philosophy?
My philosophy is that the best tracks (and decisions to make them!) come naturally. If you’re thinking too hard about it, that will reflect in the final product. Let the track speak to you and guide your decisions from there, and they should come easily.
What producers/engineers inspire/inspired you?
I’m super inspired by so many female producers/engineers who are absolutely killing it – SoWylie, Bad Snacks, Pom Pom, Tiger Darrow, Kesha Lee, Emily Lazaar, Piper Payne, etc. – but also some of the producers/engineers who I feel I’ve learned a lot from just by listening to their records. Andy Williams (Relient K – Forget And Not Slow Down), Benny Blanco & Cashmere Cat (Ariana Grande & Cashmere Cat – Adore), Charlie Puth (Charlie Puth – Voicenotes) are some of my favorites.
