Music has to bring you to a different place, like a good movie or book. The listener should recognise the song-scape in the first couple of seconds of a song. It’s like a painting, you’ll see the overal picture before you start discovering the individual parts. If done right, you’ll know what song you’re listening to before the first line has been sung. Making this happen is a big focus for me.
I am very dedicated to the songs I work on, I always want to make sure a song is as good as it can be. As a musician I’m always listening to what a song needs. What complements the vocals, groove, chords. Does a song really need certain parts, can I improve a groove? A good arrangement always amplifies the song and a good song will always work with just the melody and chords!
Over the years I’ve been fortunate to work with producers like Minco Eggersman, Tre Sheppard, Jan Borger, Rene de Vries, Arjan de Wit (Room Service Music). Collaboration is really valuable, not only because of the different musical skills that people have, but also because we bring a part of our being to the process. It’s the part that will add life to the picture, a story in the parts.