Nashville, TN Bassist/Producer Question: As a bassist who plays both electric and stand-up instruments, you seem to be drawn to a wide variety of eclectic artists. Was that part of the plan? Answer: I’ve always been somewhat of a chameleon musically. Growing up I was listening to and playing punk rock while, at the same…
Question: What do you like most about music? Answer: I love performance. Performance, performance. The integrity of the performance is always on my mind when I get involved in a recording project. I am always trying to capture what the artist is trying to do, while at the same time making the listener feel as close…
Question: What’s the deal with you and the color purple? Answer: The color was one part marketing and one part theft prevention. When Heil Sound was a touring company and as I got on to building amplifiers, I’d look on the stage and everything up there was gray and black and silver. I was using…
Question: So, what do you have against microphones? Answer: Hah! I hit my microphone with a drummer’s brush as part of the “drum /percussion” solo in my shows. I need it to sound like a bass drum with punch and clarity. Then I need to sing into it as well! The Heil microphone has the…
Question: You’ve toured the world with many high-profile artists and recently founded – with your wife, Courtney – the Roadie Clinic. What made you want to open that facility? Answer: We’ve experienced every type of tour – from van + trailer, to small theater tours, to awards shows and even the Super Bowl – ending…
Question: You’ve been a member of a seminal band, Sonic Youth, as well as having a thriving solo career in music. You also create visual art projects. Is there a different mindset for you creatively between the two? Answer: I think many creative artists relish the challenge of working in parallel modes of expression. Since…
Los Angeles, CA Sound Mixer Question: In your illustrious career what is the most dangerous venue that you’ve mixed sound in? Answer: ” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, mixing Rihanna there for the Met Gala all the while being told if you destroy any artifacts you’re done and in debt for whatever you destroy. The…
Chicago, IL Musician, Author Question: In the whirlwind of social media where it seems everyone’s a critic or editor or expert, how are you able to focus and stay true to your songwriting? Answer: ” The songs are everything. I’m a musician and every musician out there wants to be judged on the merit of…
Nashville, TN Audio Engineer Question: You’ve mixed sound for some legendary acts throughout your storied career. Does any one artist stand out? Answer: ” In 1973, upon returning from touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top, Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I was a bit nervous. A couple of…
