A little about my kind of “producing.” (Music).

2 songs coming soon that I share a production credit on. “Boots on the Ground.” Protest classic rock. Dec. 4.

I’m a producer, sure.

Been a lot of production going on. I wanted to make a quick entry to explain what I do. It’s important to me. Lots of folks have asked me to do what I don’t do, (or don’t do well, haha). So, I just wanted to clear things up.

I’m a producer who knows great mixers.

I prefer not to do mixing. I mix fine for demos and small projects. But even then, I know so many excellent mixers. I don’t know why I wouldn’t pay them. Seriously mega-talented engineers out there. I don’t compete at all there. Wouldn’t make sense to hire me next to them. If you want a good mixer, ask me. I do not charge to tell you who would be awesome at mixing your track that I know. Happy to refer.

I know great professional mixers because I’m a producer, not a mixer. I build things and change things. I keep track of folks and their contributions. I hire mixing. I do background parts if I’m able or find someone to. I do my very best to make ideas a little more tangible to “normal” folks.

A lot of what I do is like trying to understand a foreign language.

I’m a translator.

I’m almost like a translator. Producers produce products. I get a concept of your idea, and build it. Mixing is just a part of that. Folks ask me to mix a lot. I’ll try if there’s a chance I can do what they want. However, friends I talk to daily are much better at that stuff.

I’m not an engineer.

I’m not a methodical engineer type. I don’t like math. I don’t even like step by step application and instructions. I’m like the Tasmanian Devil in that kind of environment. I grab ideas from anything and toss them around. Make some demos. Then talk to a good mixer. How I do it.

Teamwork.

I’ve always had a team concept in making music designed for lots of people. I think it’s only fair. Having a dedicated mixer is priceless if you can swing it. I understand if you can’t. You have to do what you can. Many folks do everything all by themselves and make great music. They don’t need me.

Looks like good work going on to me.

Finding work.

I like going to open mic nights and talking to songwriters. If they want to record, I’m there for them. If they wanna’ hire mixing, I know peeps. If they want accompaniment, I’m there. There’s a lot more going on than mixing. I’m still loaded with things to do without it.

Producer is a dumb word.

Producer is a dumb word now, I’ll be honest. I don’t like it. But it still has its old meaning along with the new ones. So, I haven’t figured out what to use, jargon-wise. I don’t want folks to think I’m in mom’s basement building beats. But I’m no Blake Mills or T-Bone Burnett either.

As far as production credits go, this is a biggie to me. Keri and I wrote some music, got 23 folks all over the world to pitch in. Was during lockdown. Huge project. Still love it.

Music contractor.

Here locally I go by music contractor. It suits my needs. Folks hire me for anything from album projects to running live sound. A lot of my business is simply knowing how to get sound out of equipment I managed to buy. That’s a major hurdle for a lot of folks. Very lucky I somehow managed to clear it for now.

My toolbox is my brain.

My main asset is my brain. I really enjoy and have practiced making things I imagine come to life. I get a kick out of assisting other creators with that very thing. I’m here for it. I love it. Using my brain in that way feels wholesome and purposeful.

I don’t adhere to anyone’s style as far as production. I can’t. A song might come along that needs something I can’t place. If I’m steeped in process and presets I won’t hear my brain play with the tune. That’s what I’m there for. The song in my head dictates the route I take. So, I try to learn as many processes as possible. Hopefully learning yours, in the process.

Many folks don’t seem to realize that in order to think differently, it helps to learn things.

Music thrives in a learning environment.

Learning is everything. For me, I will learn sounds in my head. I’m not into just pressing buttons and goofing off on the clock. I have a sound in my brain and I try to dial it in as best as I can. That always requires learning. Even if it’s a sound I’m familiar with, chances are it’s seated differently in its sound stage. It isn’t the same with different background noise. Always adjusting.

Learning has to be a little fun, in my opinion. Every day involves so much of it, I don’t see how you could enjoy production without it. From clients’ perspectives and demands, manuals, other contractors sounds and abilities and equipment, and music itself takes learning and practice. If you don’t enjoy that stuff, not sure how you produce. Not saying it’s wrong. Just saying I’m not familiar with music producing without learning.

If you are safe anywhere these days, I hope this studio is just as safe. It should be a place to learn and be free, as much as any out there.

You gotta’ be safe, #1.

One of the things that’s essential for learning is safety. We aren’t likely to get absorbed in creative work if safety needs aren’t met. So, the studio starts first and foremost, as a completely safe place to play music and get creative. Snacks and drinks, TV, and visiting are nice to let you know I’m not a creep and you’re safe here. Least I can do.

Many folks in music talk about “bad vibes” at places. More often than not, they’re talking about being starkly aware. Self consciousness is the opposite of creativity. I find building a safe environment mitigates that feeling so we can make songs. You’re welcome and you totally deserve it. Everyone deserves a safe place.

Once that’s good, then we can dive in the mind. A song is a lot like a river. If you can get your raft in the water, it takes you places. Here for that. Also, I like hearing that in my head before pressing any buttons. The reason is purpose or intent. I want folks to detect that. It makes them listen. It makes things interesting.

It’s about decisions.

What you hear in recorded music is a lot of decisions. I’m a big fan of those decisions. I like learning motives for them. It’s a never-ending well of knowledge, music out there. I only hope to contribute to it.

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