Are We a Good Fit? (FAQ)

My background is rooted in Jazz, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and Gospel—those are the traditions that shaped how I hear music. I work best with artists who love blending influences and pushing boundaries within those spaces.

If you’re making the left-field or adventurous iterations of these genres—art pop that draws from R&B, experimental hip-hop, genre-fluid singer-songwriter work—we’ll click. I’ve worked in rock and pop too, but that’s not where I thrive.

Yes, it’s important to me that we both feel confident in working together before commitment. In fact, I built it into the way I start working with new artists.

Here’s how it works:

1. Complimentary Song Audit: This is always the first step! It’s a free production consultation that specifically focuses on your vision, situation, challenges, and opportunities. We only move forward if you feel that it’s the right fit.
2. For Production Clients: We book a preproduction sprint where I create a musical roadmap to bringing your vision to life. You get to see how the project will go, hear my ideas for your music, and get a taste of the process. This is a paid commitment. But if we move forward, then that payment is credited towards your project.
3. For Consultation Clients: Depending on what I identify in your free audit, I’ll recommend a package that fits your needs. If you recommended package is comprehensive, then I’ll offer the first part of it as a paid trial. You only move forward if you’re happy with the progress.

Note: I don’t schedule/hold dates without a deposit. Once you’re ready, we’ll finalize the deposit, contract, and secure your timeline. If your spot is far out, then there will be a  Let’s talk if your schedule is tight; I’ll do my best to accommodate.

As a producer, I have relationships with a few commercial recording studios in Chicago. I select the one I need based on the needs of the project. I operate remotely and rent studios as needed to deliver a high quality result while stretching how far your dollar goes.

I also can arrange quality session players and instrument rentals if your music needs them. This will cost extra, so we’ll confirm together before adding any fees.

If you work with other studio pros then I’m happy to provide help through Remote Consultation & Production Assistance.  However, I don’t typically work with producers and engineers that I don’t have a prior professional relationship with.

If you want my production on any of your song, that means no outside producers or engineers unless I bring in peers I already work with at my discretion and under my direction.

If you already have existing material: That’s perfectly fine. Book an audit then we’ll review what you have and plan from there. I try to be flexible enough to integrate existing material if it aligns with your goals.

Yes, I do work on longer projects — but only for artists who are prepared and meet a few key requirements. If you’re looking to create an EP or album with me, here’s what you’ll need:

• A minimum of 3 songs ready to develop.
  EP and album projects require enough material to justify the commitment, focus, and investment on both sides.

• Completion of at least one full song with me, start to finish.
  Before we take on a larger project together, we need to be sure our creative partnership is the right fit. Starting with a single-song collaboration in an 8-Week Songscraft Sprint ensures we align on process, vision, and communication.

• Upfront or short-term payment for the project.
  Multi-song projects demand significant planning, resources, and scheduling. To keep things streamlined and fair, I require payment in advance or via a short, clearly defined payment schedule.

If you meet these criteria and are ready to invest in a focused, collaborative project, let’s talk about your next release. The first step is always a Free Clarity Call, where we’ll map out what you’re looking for and determine if it’s the right fit for both of us.

• Most of the time, I charge a flat fee, not recordings royalties — unless we enter a long-term creative relationship where a mix makes more sense for both of us.

• If we co-write, (in addition to the production fee)  we’ll agree to split the composition credits and income accordingly. I’ll always be credited publicly as a co-writer when that applies.

• If we just develop the song consultatively, no songwriting credit or royalties are involved — that’s part of the standard process.

• Credits? I’ll be credited appropriately in the final release — writing, production, and engineering.

Everything — including rights and splits — is spelled out in the contract upfront, so there’s no ambiguity and no surprises.