Super-Producer Greg Wells Plays Well With Others

Greg Wells is best known for his work with pop singers like Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkston, and Adele. But, right now, he wants to talk about a different artist - someone few listeners in American will recognize. "I love spreading the word about Mika," Wells says about the British singer-songwriter who's sold eight million records around the world but doesn't get much airplay in the States. "He's a huge superstar, [but] it's not American enough. It's a guy singing largely in falsetto." American pop fans will recognize these string of hits, though: Katy Perry's "Pearl" and "Not Like The Movies" from Teenage Dream and "Waking Up In Vegas" and "Ur So Gay" from One Of The Boys. Wells produced and co-wrote those cuts from the L.A. pop diva, and he often also plays many of the instruments on the recordings. But, until the end of the year, Wells' attention will be focused on recording Mika's third album. "He's one of the best songwriters I've ever encountered. He writes in a very honest way," says Wells. The dark subject matter of Mika's songs coupled with its presentation in what Wells describes as a "Dr. Seuss celebratory way" is what drew the producer to him. (Kanye West is also a fan.) But how did a minister's son from Canada become one of the most sought-after producers in L.A.. "Where I'm from, it's a rural factory town. There is no entertainment industry anywhere near," says Wells. Wells was interested in music as a kid but really got the bug for recording when he was hired to play keyboards for the Canadian guitarist Kim Mitchell on the 1989 album, Rockland. Wells spent... Sign In to Keep Reading