I grew up in a strange environment, attending classical music studies, to a backdrop of my fathers’ Jazz records, whilst he ran a punk record label from our house. Music composition was always there in a part of my subconscious. I used to attend music lessons for piano, violin and drums/percussion but spent more time just doing my own thing instead of grades. I dream music that I infuriatingly promise to remember in the morning. It’s always there in the back of my mind, grinding out drum beats on my teeth, solving musical problems when I’m busy with anything but music.
I was supposed to be a brilliant session musician. I excelled as a jazz drummer and percussionist, turning down opportunities to attend the major classical music universities in favour of the only modern music course in the UK at the time, the Jazz Course at Leeds. I got a scholarship to attend a year early aged 17, based on performance only. Perhaps the best thing I did in the year I attended was fail to get up in the morning to attend the music arrangement classes so I never learned the rules, instead I used my ears. I left because I realised that I wanted to be in recording studios, writing and making music sound great. And that’s what I did
I’ve been a recording artist with Chrysalis, A&M Universal, Sony and London records and I’m an Ivor Novello Award nominee. I ‘ve been a dance remixer with several years of successful mixes for artist such as Jakata ( American Beauty )Diana Ross , Kylie , D’ream , Loveland, T-empo ,Happy Clappers , Alison Limerick and many more .
I’ve had hit records with my band Lucid and written and produced hit records for other artists including Emmy ( More than This ) and S-Club 7 . I’ve worked for many years in film & TV ,and advertising as a composer across all genres of music.
I’ve worked as an Audio post producer for ITV, BBC Channel 4 and many independent companies, eventually going on to set up my own Audio post facility ‘Candy Studios’ in Manchester which is still a successful business, although I have recently moved away to set up a new facility in Bantham, South Devon where I now live ,work and surf.