What does your music want to be?
Let's find out.
I bring classical composition training, formal songwriting study, and a lifetime of deep listening to every project. My work with artists is collaborative by nature. I'm here to serve the song and support your vision, not impose one. We'll work in curiosity and inspiration, finding what's singular in your music and voice, and bringing it to the world.
Services
What I can do for your project
I work with independent artists, songwriters, and bands at any stage of a project. Every collaboration is different. Here's where I can add value:
MixingTaking your recorded tracks to a finished, release-ready mix. I work in Pro Tools and bring a musical perspective to every decision — balancing clarity with feel. |
ProductionFrom pre-production planning through tracking and final mix, I can help shape the sonic identity of a project at any stage — including project management, budgeting, and keeping things moving from first session to release. If it's your first record, I can also guide you through the music business side: PRO registration, distribution, publishing, and rights.
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ArrangementAdding depth, texture, and color to your music using live instruments, plugins, or both. My arranging draws on Western classical and jazz traditions as well as world music, sound design, and electronic production — whatever the song calls for. |
Co-writingIf you have a musical idea that isn't fully realized yet, I can help develop it. I bring a background in formal songwriting study, poetry, and literary craft to the writing process. |
Instruments & session workI can play on your record. Electric and acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, background vocals, and tabla — live, tracked parts that serve the song. I can also source great players for instruments beyond my own — if your song needs something, we'll find the right person for it. |
RecordingTracking sessions for acoustic instruments, vocals, and more. I work from my home studio or can come to your space — and I have relationships with studios around Austin for projects that need a larger room. |
Background
What I bring to your music
- A lifetime of studying how different musical cultures hear rhythm, texture, and space — eleven years of sitar and tabla with a disciple of Ravi Shankar, Javanese gamelan, Gamelan Degung, West African drumming, and Andean music
- Your song's structure and arc are always in good hands — compositional training with Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-winning composer Kevin Puts and Guggenheim Fellow Donald Grantham
- Your lyrics matter here — formal songwriting study with multi-platinum Nashville songwriter Andrea Stolpe, combined with a background in award-winning poetry and short story writing
- I can play on your record — guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, tabla, and background vocals — or find the right person for what I can't cover
- Not just a great ear — formal training in acoustics, signal flow, and studio practice means the technical decisions serve the music, not the other way around
- Austin-based and available remotely
Selected Credits
Recent work
- First Date — “Questions” single Engineering / Production / Bass Performance
- Billy King — "Uncertainty" from Introspective Resolute String & Bell Arrangement and Programming
- David Diers — original recordings Writing / Production / Mix / Performance
- Four Kitchens “The Future Of Content” Podcast - Theme music writing and production
Work Samples
Engineering / Production
First Date
Recording and production — Austin indie rock
Arrangement
Billy King — "Uncertainty"
String and bell arrangement on Introspective Resolute
“Uncertainty” is a song of being unafraid to be your truest self, not to let your past define who you are, and to confidently face the present even with the future’s uncertainty. The line “homesick for something gone” Read more
“Uncertainty” is a song of being unafraid to be your truest self, not to let your past define who you are, and to confidently face the present even with the future’s uncertainty. The line “homesick for something gone” invokes the feeling of missing a time that you can no longer go back to, but only you can make the change by losing sight of shore, chasing your dreams, and discovering a new reality of your own.
Songwriting, Production, Recording, Performance
David Diers - “Nightshade”
Songwriter, Producer, Recording, Arrangment and Programming, Guitar, Bass, Vocals
"Nightshade" explores a woman overcoming personal tragedy to redefine herself and emerge as a stronger truer self. "Her situation is something I think we all have first-hand experience with given the pandemic. I think we Read more
"Nightshade" explores a woman overcoming personal tragedy to redefine herself and emerge as a stronger truer self. "Her situation is something I think we all have first-hand experience with given the pandemic. I think we all asked ourselves, is this it? Will things ever be the same again? We all had to look deep inside and find the means to move forward, just like she does." The track marries a vocal reminiscent of Peter Gabriel with an orchestrated Arcade Fire inspired indie-pop score. "Nightshade" easily slides between its string quartet arrangement and electronic drums to Motown- and disco-inspired grooves. It's the glamour and mystery he experienced firsthand in the theatre. The music mirrors the expansiveness of the heroine's journey of self-discovery and ends in a climatic and joyous celebration of affirmation: "Make this your night!"
CHAMBER MUSIC Composition / Arranging
UT New Music Ensemble World premiere of “Pigeons”
Music and Vocal Performance: David Diers, Text: Harvey Partica