here are some examples of my work.
Audio/Visual Media -
I Will Never Get Enough
This project began as an exercise to achieve an original, human, clean acoustic guitar sound, but based on its thematic content, it became emotion-driven. In fact, my love of practicing guitar and getting better at it was part of what inspired the song, and my first guitar is the old beat-up instrument I can be seen strumming in the video. My partner Ellen (who is a pro photographer) and I had already scheduled a trip to Lake Powell, which is a place I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of, so I figured we’d try to get some footage of the beautiful setting to compile into some visuals for this piece. This was my first real attempt at a serious music video, and while I have a ton to learn about video production, I’m very satisfied with how this turned out.
This project was produced, directed, written, performed, recorded, engineered, and edited by myself. The original song came about while collaborating on a concept by my good friend Jay. The camera work was taken by my wonderfully talented partner Ellen, and the epic drone shots were achieved by my brother Jaiden and our friend Joey.
Unless otherwise noted, each of the following audio samples were composed/arranged, performed, recorded, and produced by myself.
Sound Design - Electronic Music
This song was conceptualized as a promo piece for a video game trailer. I designed each of the synth sounds to elicit feelings of excitement, uncertainty, chaos, and hope. In writing the lyrics, I carefully crafted a relationship between words and composition, lending motivation to the dynamics of the piece. The raspy sound in my voice in this recording is sponsored by Covid-19.
Commission/Arrangement
I received a request from a client to create a high-quality cinematic audio based on an iPhone recording of their own improvised piano. This track is the result. They requested intense orchestral drums and strings in the middle, with solo piano bookending the piece. The piano part was miraculously recorded in one take. The bulk of my effort on this project was dedicated to designing a passable, lively string sound with no budget for human instrumentalists.
Songwriting, Vocal Recording, & Producing
I was ruminating on the state of the world in 2020 when I conjured this piece. Feelings of defeat and terror in the chorus are heightened by the suspense and paranoia expressed in the verses. The taunting laughter of the “beast” can be heard in unnerving, wordless vocalizations, and is echoed in a chromatic cantabile with the electric guitar solo. The narrative shifts between individual and collective are emphasized with vocal texture shifts between the verses and choruses.
The high, loud B-flat note heard in the titular lyric was non-negotiable in my vision for this piece, but was certainly an ambitious task for my tenor-II vocal chords to sing repeatedly.
With the high number of competing parts in this piece, it was a challenge to create a full instrumental mix that supported the lead vocal without losing the clarity and individuality of each instrument. I’ll let the listener decide if I hit that mark.
Musical Theater
I pitched this song as a potential climax piece for a musical written by a good friend of mine. The disillusioned character is abruptly abandoned by his friends and loved ones after he discovered some dark truths about the leaders of their religion.
Podcast Music
My aim with these tracks is to demonstrate my skill in creating contrasting sounds that could be used as intros or background music for modern podcasts.