In this episode of Working Class Audio, host Matt Boudreau welcomes back Cesar Mejia, a longtime friend of the podcast, to discuss his continued journey as an educator, studio owner, and audio professional. Cesar, first featured in episode #117 back in 2017, shares his experiences navigating the post-pandemic world, teaching the next generation of musicians, and balancing life at his studio, Shelter Studios.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Cesar Mejia's Return to Podcast: Reflecting on his first appearance in 2017, episode 117, and discussing his journey.
• Teaching Post-COVID: Cesar talks about teaching at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Whittier College, highlighting changes in student mentality and the shift in teaching due to the pandemic.
• Students' Musical Preferences: Discussing the differences between students at Dominguez Hills, who are more electronic-focused, and those at Whittier, who are often acoustic musicians.
• Shelter Studios and Family Property: Cesar's studio, Shelter Studios, is located on family property that he inherited. He is working on possibly expanding the space while keeping the studio comfortable and home-like.
• Balancing Expansion and Stability: Conversations about the benefits of expanding the studio or staying in the current location and the importance of financial stability.
• Wiring and Additional Gigs: In addition to teaching and studio work, Cesar occasionally takes on wiring gigs for other studios, keeping his income diversified.
• Collaboration with Herbie Hancock: Cesar continues to work with Herbie Hancock, especially on tours post-COVID, and handles audio tasks such as mixing stems for live performances.

Matt's Rant: Being in Asset

Links and Show Notes

• The Shelter Studios
• The Shelter on Instangram
• WCA Episode #117 with Cesar Mejia

Credits

• Guest: Cesar Mejia
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• Announcer: Chuck Smith

My guest for this episode is Producer/Engineer/ Composer Ebonie Smith, who currently holds the esteemed roles of senior audio engineer and producer at Atlantic Records. Ebonie has worked on projects for The Hamilton Cast Album, Janelle Monae, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Mraz.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Memphis Upbringing and Tri-State Area
• Radio and Musical Influences
• Transition from Sports to Music
• College Struggles and Musical Pursuit
• Technological Fascination and Audio
• Barnard College Audio Tech Job
• Pursuit of Music Technology
• Parental Expectations vs. Music
• NYU and Advanced Music Studies
• Career Start at Atlantic Records
• Evolution from Editing to Producing
• Hamilton Cast Recording Involvement
• Creating an Incubator Program
• Move to Los Angeles Decision
• Differences Between NYC and LA
• Atlantic Records Role Transformation
• Producing Unique Label Projects
• Challenges in the Music Industry
• Importance of Administrative Proficiency
• Balancing Multiple Creative Roles
• A Continuing Passion for Audio
• Multitasking Is a Necessity
• Full Control of the Signal Chain

Matt's Rant: Making Opportunity For Yourself

Links and Show Notes

• Ebonie's Site

Credits

• Guest: Ebonie Smith
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• Announcer: Chuck Smith

My guests today are Wesley Heaton and Kameron Lockwood, producers, engineers, and mixers from Indianapolis, Indiana. They are studio partners at Holy Ground Productions and have extensive live sound experience working with bands like Bingo Boys, Skeletonwitch Rituaal, and Pillars.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Studio Location And Name
• Early Friendship Timeline
• Growing Up Experiences
• Meeting Through Audio
• Live Sound Frustrations
• Musical Background Origins
• Gear Acquisition Journey
• First Paid Recordings
• Studio Environment Challenges
• DIY Venue Recordings
• Recording School Experiences
• Self-Education In Audio
• Recording With Anthrax
• Transition From Live Sound
• Studio Construction Challenges
• Importance Of Deposits
• Business Partnership Dynamics
• Studio Community Focus
• Lessons From First Studio
• Hospitality And Client Comfort

Matt's Rant: Perfection

Links and Show Notes

• Holy Ground Productions
• Holy Ground on Instagram

Credits

• Guest: Wesley Heaton and Kameron Lockwood
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• Announcer: Chuck Smith

My guest today is Mastering Engineer Ben Pike, who runs an analog-based mastering and record cutting studio in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Ben specializes in vinyl mastering and custom lathe cut records, working primarily with independent artists. He has collaborated with artists and groups such as ATA Records, Yaatri, The London Ambient Orchestra, Smith & The Honey Badgers, and King Zepha.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Leeds, West Yorkshire Roots
• Discovering Recording Technology
• DIY Recording Beginnings
• Home Studio Evolution
• Transition to Mastering
• Vinyl Mastering Journey
• Analog Studio Setup
• Custom Lathe Cut Records
• Challenges of Chronic Illness
• Building a Mastering Studio
• Navigating the Music Industry
• Supporting Independent Artists
• Small Batch Vinyl Production
• Innovative Vinyl Techniques
• Mastering and Cutting Synergy
• Restoring Vintage Gear

Matt's Rant: The Art of Being Concise

Links and Show Notes

• Ben Pike's Studio: Rare Tone Mastering
• Jeff Powell Companion Episode

Credits

• Guest: Ben Pike
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• Announcer: Chuck Smith

My guest today is Producer/Multi-Instrumentalist/Engineer, Jordan Brooke Hamlin, who has worked with Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Vienna Teng, Lila Blue, Katie Herzig, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Allison Russell, and Brandy Clark.

---------------------------------

In this episode, we discuss

• Upbringing In Kentucky
• Music-Loving Family
• Zeppelin Hippies
• Deep Connection To Music
• Early Music Exposure
• Discovery Of Production
• Sarah McLachlan Influence
• Running Her Studio
• Creating Artist Space
• Mental Health Focus
• Challenges In Nashville
• Supportive Studio Environment
• Economic Challenges
• Studio Setup Efficiency
• Working With Labels
• Navigating Industry Changes
• Moxie Studio Origin
• Residential Studio Blend
• Artist Commune Vision
• Reclaiming Neglected Land
• Importance Of Environment
• Balancing Creativity And Deadlines
• Nashville's Music Culture
• Contrasting With Los Angeles
• Session Efficiency Vs. Exploration
• Encouraging Artistic Risk
• Challenges In Studio Ownership
• Supporting Independent Artists
• Grant Programs For Artists
• Gender Equity In The Audio Industry
• Financial Pressures On Music
• Organizational Tools (Airtable)
• Payment Delays From Labels
• Navigating Professional Relationships
• Empathy For Touring Artists
• Evolving Industry Dynamics

---------------------------------

Matt's Rant: Getting Organized

---------------------------------

Links and Show Notes

• Book Matt mentions in Interview: Day Trading Attention
• AirTable
• Jordan's Studio

---------------------------------

Credits

• Guest: Jordan Brooke Hamlin
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest is Grammy Nominated Music Metadata Professional Tony Brooke. Tony has worked on projects for Richard Thompson, Coldplay, David Byrne, twenty one pilots, Maroon 5, Jane's Addiction, Duran Duran, Steve Miller, Norah Jones, Erasure, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Doobie Brothers, Sarah McLachlan, Elvis Costello, Seal, George Clinton, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, Dave Chappelle, Khaled & Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Stern Grove Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. He's also worked for Pandora/SiriusXM and Warner Music Group.

---------------------------------

In this episode, we discuss

• Tony's Audio Production Journey
• Background and Education
• Bay Area Move
• Technical Skills & Equipment
• Live Music Engineer to Entrepreneur
• Tascam DA88 Benefits
• Multi-Track Services
• Gig Organization Logistics
• Music Industry Experiences
• Seasonal Income Fluctuations
• Business Diversification
• Website Development
• Ultimate Track Sheet
• Career Transition Insights
• Digital Console Shift
• Career Coach Influence
• Master's Degree Pursuit
• Family Support Gratitude
• Work-Life Balance Challenges
• Music Industry Pressures
• Honesty and Humility Importance
• Music Data Exchange Research
• DDEX XML Format
• Pandora Credit Inclusion
• Apple Credit Attribution Issues
• Identifier Initiative
• Music Data Management Tools
• Sound Credit Replacement
• Muse.AI & Other Databases
• Data Accuracy Challenges
• Technological Changes Preparation
• Three-Tiered Data Storage
• Data Preservation Strategies
• Copyrighted Compositions Importance
• Streaming Service Identification
• Online Course Idea
• Digital Data Management Strategies

---------------------------------

Matt's Rant: Embracing Social Media

---------------------------------

Links and Show Notes

• Book Matt mentions in Rant: Day Trading Attention
• Tools for capturing data in the studio: 
• Sound Credit: https://www.soundcredit.com/ 
• Session Studio: https://www.sessionstudio.com/ 
• VEVA Collect: https://vevacollect.com/ 
• Identifiers:
• ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier): http://isni.org/ 
• ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code): https://www.iswc.org/ 
• DDEX standards for music data exchange: https://ddex.net/ 
• CLIP - Free resource to learn industry terminology, creator rights, and how to get credited and paid: https://goclip.org/en/music 
• Master Tape Rescue project to find a home for lost tapes and other formats (Brian Kehew and Danny White): https://www.mastertaperescue.com/ 
• Tony Brooke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybrooke/ 
• SilentWay.com: http://www.silentway.com/ 

---------------------------------

Credits

• Guest: Tony Brooke
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest is Hans-Martin Buff, a Recording Engineer, Music Producer, and 3D Geek based in Munich, Germany. Hans has worked with Prince, Peter Gabriel, and the Scorpions.

---------------------------------

In this episode, we discuss

• Introduction and Background
• Family Musical Influence
• Early Musical Interests
• Educational Background
• Transition to Music Career
• Pachyderm Studio Experience
• Nirvana Recording Sessions
• Working with Prince
• Paisley Park Experience
• Prince's Influence on Hans
• Challenges in the Industry
• Difficult Clients and Lessons
• Technical Recording Techniques
• Personal Growth and Development
• Sequencing and Assembly
• Memorable Projects and Highlights
• Impact on Personal Music Enjoyment

---------------------------------

Matt's Rant: When to Let it Go

---------------------------------

Links and Show Notes

• Hans' Site
• Hans on Instagram

---------------------------------

Credits

• Guest: Hans-Martin Buff
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest today is Grammy-winning engineer and Mixer Chris Dugan, who has worked on projects for Green Day, Gaslight Anthem, Weezer, and Alanis Morissette.

---------------------------------

In this episode, we discuss:

Touring and Work with Green Day

• European Tour
• Recording Live Shows
• Studio Engineer
• Mixing for TV Broadcasts
• Transition to More Mixing
• Mixing with the Artist Present

Studio Setup and Equipment

• Family-Friendly Home Studio
• Home Studio Customization Efforts
• Studio Setup During the Pandemic
• Importance of Sound Reflections
• Portable Mixing Setup Benefits
• Atmos Setup Decision Factors
• Affordable Speaker Tuning

Balancing Work and Family

• Balancing Family and Work
• Parenting While Touring
• Encouraging Kids' Musical Interest
• Family's Involvement in Music
• Kids' Interest in Studio

Travel and Jet Lag Tips

• Managing Sleep and Travel
• Jet Lag Recovery Strategies
• Efficient Airport Tips
• Global Entry Efficiency
• Time Shifter App Usage

Freelance Work and Pricing

• Freelance Pricing Challenges
• Word-of-Mouth Opportunities
• Managing Project Deadlines
• Impact of Unconventional Tracks
• Importance of Politeness
• Importance of Session Prep

Backup Storage and Technology

• Backup Storage Discussions
• Travel-Friendly Work Strategies

---------------------------------

Matt's Rant: The Battle for Your Attention

---------------------------------

Links and Show Notes

• Chris Dugan on WCA #078
• TimeShifter APP
• Global Entry

---------------------------------

Credits

• Guest: Chris Dugan
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest today is Grammy-winning London-based producer and mixer Catherine Marks, who has worked on projects for boygenius, Wolf Alice, and The Mysterines.  

In this episode, we discuss

• Upbringing in Australia
• Early exposure to music through parents' record collection
• Participation in a Yamaha piano course at an all-girls school
• Development of interest in songwriting and record production
• Studying architecture at the University of Melbourne
• Taking a year out to work in Dublin
• Introduction to Dublin's music
• Immersion in live music and DJ nights in Dublin
• Discovery of interest in music production and reverb
• Transition from architecture degree to music production career
• Learning about music production while working for Flood
• Recording a song with Elastica, gaining Flood's attention
• Fearlessness and willingness to take opportunities
• Early advice from her father and
• Support from the Dublin community
• Early experiences in the studio,
• Multitasking in various roles
• Learning via observing, asking questions, and reading manuals
• Development of skills and studio efficiency
• Mentorship from Alan Moulder
• Working with producers like Dmitry Tikovoy, Ben Hillier, and Flood
• Importance of capturing the immediacy of a moment over technical perfection
• Discipline to let go of awareness and move forward in projects
• Managing creative conflicts and rising from unknown engineer to sought-after producer
• Establishing connections with key individuals in the music industry
• Importance of mutual understanding and communication in the recording process
• Working with Alan Moulder and Flood, enhancing her career
• Mutual respect and high expectations foster professional growth
• Importance of enjoying projects and respecting colleagues
• Prioritizing a balanced lifestyle over immediate success
• Pressure to maintain career momentum and need for self-care to prevent burnout
• Consistent commitment and passion for work
• Experiences and reflections on winning a Grammy award
• Highs and lows of industry recognition
• Challenges of being away for extended periods during album work
• Anticipation for future projects and collaborations

Matt's Rant: 500 Episodes and Pressing On

Links and Show Notes

• Catherine's Site
• Catherine on Instagram

Credits

• Guest: Catherine Marks
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest today is UK-based mastering engineer Stephen Kerrison, known for his work with Petbrick, Ditz, Charles Watson, Jake Isaac, Lleo, and Liz Lawrence. This is Stephen's second appearance on Working Class Audio, his first being WCA #413 alongside Katie Tavini, a fellow Weird Jungle Mastering Collective member.

In this episode, we discuss

• Weird Jungle Collective Update
• Liverpool Music Scene Evolution
• Working Under a Record Shop
• From Touring to Mastering
• Collective's Structural Changes
• Industry's Financial Realities
• Instilling Confidence
• Balancing Creativity and Technique
• Musicians' Record Perspectives
• Older vs. Younger Musicians
• Transition to Mastering
• Mastering Different Genres
• Challenges of Live Performance
• Importance of Taste in Mastering
• Exploring the UK Music Scene
• Collaborative Music Environment
• Managing Work-Life Balance
• Financial Strategy
• Use of Backing Tracks
• Maintaining Artist Confidence
• Comparison to Visual Art
• Listening
• Checking Out The Competition
• Seth Godin

Matt's Rant: Stepping Away

Links and Show Notes

• Matt's Photo Instagram account
• WCA #413
• Stephens Site
• Katie's Site
• Weird Jungle

Credits

• Guest: Stephen Kerrison
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith 

My guest today is Jacob Winik, the COO, Technical Director, and Sound Designer at Cosmic Standard, an audio production company he co-founded with his wife, Eliza Smith, in January 2020. Jacob has collaborated on projects with TED, Patagonia, Dropbox, KQED, Samantha Crain, Meernaa, Doe Eye, and Steep Ravine. He previously worked as an audio engineer at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco.

In this episode, we discuss

• Bay Area Upbringing
• Parents' Musical Influence
• Early Punk Music
• Divorce Sparks Punk Interest
• Gillman Street Experiences
• Technology at Home
• Early Instruments
• School Band Reluctance
• Discovering DIY Punk
• College Band Experience
• House Shows in College
• Obsessed with Music Making
• Improving Live Sound
• Early Recording Awareness
• DIY Recording at Gillman
• First Demo Recording
• College Film Studies
• Pursuit of Music Recording
• Internship at The Compound
• Learning Basic Recording Skills
• Building Client Relationships
• Internship at Fantasy Studios
• Analog Tape Recording Challenges
• Journey Recording Experience
• Interning with Magic Magic Orchestra
• John Vanderslice
• Studio Setup at Tiny Telephone
• Transition to Professional Engineer
• Hands-on Learning with Tape
• Podcast Company Formation
• Balancing Overhead Costs
• Scalable Team Structure
• Remote Work Adaptation
• Handling Pandemic Challenges
• Client Training Remotely
• Improved Quality of Life
• Building Client Relationships

Matt's Rant: Moving Through Your Audio Career with Blinders On

Links and Show Notes

• Cosmic Standard
• John Vanderslice on WCA

Credits

• Guest: Jacob Winik
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
• Announcer: Chuck Smith