I learned an incredible amount from the artists, mix and recording engineers I worked with and from playing instruments every day. The most revealing times were when I was operating as a session player. Putting my money where my mouth was moments. It also made me appreciate the amazing musicians I have around me.

Tracking is an art form. It’s spatial. I always keep my eye on the lead vocal and try to support that instrument at all times. When you get what I call the “compound fracture” in a song the world fades away for a short time. That moment when great rhythm, melody and language intersect. Brian Wilson got it right if not perfect on “God Only Knows”

I also learned to see perfection in imperfection. Feel the rough diamond.
Not change or alter. Just record/document.
That’s tougher for me as I feel rhythm and pitch on a level that if they’re too “out” (for my taste) I stop enjoying the music.
Conversely the benefits to a recording can be mighty as the untouched speaks with a very clear voice.

Mix Engineers:
I’m working with 3 mix engineers that I trust. They’re all different stylistically and all have the gear and ear. Ron St Germain, Andre Wahl and Vic Florencia have been making my productions sound great and I have to give them credit for adding a lot to what my artists have recorded.

Mastering Engineer:
Phil Demetro is the man. Lacquer Channel is Toronto’s leading mastering house and my man Phil has been helping me a lot. Phil is a solid technician and a great guy.

Drum Editor:
Cory Barnes is solid and doesn’t overstep. My take on drum editing is fix the bits that aren’t what the drummer would want to hear and leave the rest untouched. Cory gets it right every time.

Drums:
Tony Rabalao. I can’t say much more than hire this man. He’s the best. Tony makes everything sound (taste) better. He’s the butter of music!

Sounds:
Dan Miller. Hire this man. He’s an excellent soundsmith – programmer – pianist. I work with Dan a lot on projects and he understands what to do inside a lot of different styles.

My goals for 2013 are:
1 – Sleep more
2 – Edit less
3 – Read more
4 – Listen more
5 – Keep pushing forward with my recording, arranging, bass playing, guitar playing, piano playing, programming, editing, singing, studio maintenance chops.
6 – Produce songs that break through to a large audience. ( A hit to me is something so engaging that you must have it in your life/music collection)
7 – Travel
8 – Spend more time with family
9 – Be in the ocean as many times as possible
10 – Take a day off every week

Last year I spent time working with: Belle Phoenix, You, Me, Baxter and Phil, Brendan Albert, Train Electric, Wide Eyed Tour Guide, Shane Free, Jessica Mitchell, Lehlo, Mercy Flight, Marianne Turner, Sheldon Holder, Stephen Capaldi, Xtiin Jones, Luanda Rose, Jared Parker, Christian Bridges and Angela Saini. I really enjoyed producing these artists and playing on a good amount of their recordings.

It made me better.
Thank you
Tom

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”

~Noam Chomsky (1928), American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, logician, historian, political critic, and activist