There are no shortcuts to success in the music business. The average overnight sensation spent ten years getting there. Talent, hard work, perseverance, connections, personality and the ever present being in the “right place at the right time” are prerequisites for success. If you are looking for a roadmap to hit your goals, you could do no better than to take heed of the career advice from music industry pros who are already doing what you dream of doing and heed their wisdom when they tell you what’s important.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Working with Artists in the Recording Studio
- Studio Etiquette for Apprentices
- The Best Way to Break into the Music Industry
- What it Takes to Survive in the Music Business
- The Mindset You Need to Monetize Your Music and Audio Skills
- How to Stay on Top Once You Get There
- Networking Advice and Tips on Making Opportunities Happen
WORKING WITH ARTISTS IN THE RECORDING STUDIO
“That’s a big thing, understanding and being mindful of the fact that every artist is unique and has their personality. When they’re in the room, they’re the most important person in the room…you’re the magician, you are, you’re the rock star behind the glass, yes, but if the artist doesn’t think they’re the rock star, the artist doesn’t think that they’re the artist, then their performance diminishes…Your shine is when they’re sitting there behind you smiling, dancing, happy about their song.”
| Shane Anderson | Unique Recording Studios | Credits: Snoop Dogg, Sony Records, Interscope, MTV |
“There’s always that get-to-know-each-other period. That’s really important, actually, because a lot of it is…
Learning how to communicate well with your artist and get to know where they’re coming from, and what their songs are about, and why they wrote it and what motivated them.
So, you can cue into that and be sensitive to that. Also try to understand why other people sometimes might not get what they’re trying to communicate in their songs. So that’s what I try to do, and I think that it’s really important because then the artist understands that you’re really on their team.”
| Michael Vail Blum | Titan Recording | Credits: Prince, Madonna, Julian Lennon, Goo Goo Dolls, Joan Baez, Suicidal Tendencies, Jim Croce |
“Taking the time to discuss what the roles are before going into the session helps.”
“So, if the band says, ‘We love our live repertoire right now, all we want to do is record it note for note,’ then they’re revealing that they don’t want any musical feedback; they just want someone to engineer and document their ideas to date. [In that case] the role has been clearly defined.”
| Frenchie Smith | The Bubble Recording Studio | Clients: Cliff Jones, Robbie Adams, Jason Ward, Mark Hutchins, Chris Zane, T.J. Doherty |
“If you’re going to critique the artist, always have a fix behind it.“
“It’s fine to critique but don’t just say, ‘No, that sucked,’ with no fix and keep doing the same thing. You have to be able to come up with a fix for that. A lot of times you might have to go through 10 different fixes and then the artist gets drained and you might have to come back to it another day.”
| Lee Evans | Jambox Entertainment Studios | Credits: Marc Anthony, Cindi Lauper, Harry Belafonte |
“When the client is in the room, you should be quickly going into production mode… When your artist gets there [to the studio], make sure you’re not fumbling around, you know, looking for a kick drum for half an hour. If you’re spending more than 10 minutes finding one sound, you’re losing your audience…
It should be about the song [and] moving the workflow efficiently and when you’re going back to your library of stuff, you know where to find it.
Now, you’re a conduit. You’re not searching. Instead, you’re letting your knowledge, your confidence, and your library lead the way, and the creativity is just flowing left and right.”
| Josh Monroy | Studio 1 Zero | Credits: Ludacris, Elton John, Skrillex, Outcast, Big Boi |
STUDIO ETIQUETTE FOR APPRENTICES
“I’d say being polite and kind and being just very likable and pleasant is probably the best thing that you can do.
I tell my students at Recording Connection that studio etiquette is probably, at the entry level, the biggest thing that you have to learn.
It doesn’t matter about any of the technical stuff because if no one likes you, you’re not going to get the job anyway…
If someone’s coming through, offer them a handshake. Say, ‘It’s very nice to meet you.’ I wouldn’t go into, ‘I’m a big fan,’ or any of that stuff like that. They don’t want to be fan bombarded in the studio. They want to be treated like they’re paying $200 an hour for this place…I think the genuine approach is what people latch onto and they’re like, ‘Okay. Man, this guy or this girl, they seem very serious about what they’re doing.’ You’re setting the tone for that professionalism there.”
| Josh Monroy | Studio 1 Zero | Credits: Ludacris, Elton John, Skrillex, Outcast, Big Boi |
“If people enjoy having you in the room, it’s a big thing.”
“A lot of that comes down to personality, basically just being a positive force in the room, being creative and knowing when to offer up ideas and how to tactfully do so, and knowing when to not be the guy ‘doing your job’ but just being cool to hang around with.”
| Steve Catizone | Infinite Music | Credits: Interscope Records, NBC, Universal Music, Sony Music, Black Eyed Peas, Don Henley, Flock of Seagulls, Foghat |
“[Make] sure the needs of the room are met. So, if somebody looks a little uncomfortable, just sort that out. But yeah,
Etiquette is everything in the room…So much of this business comes down to, ‘I don’t like that guy.’
So, you just need to be the person everybody wants to be around and be honest and genuine. You have to figure out the relationship in the room, who’s leading the session, and then understand the pecking order. [If] you’re the assistant and have something that you want to suggest, like, telling people, ‘Hey, this would work well.’ If you go to the artist and say that, now you’ve bypassed the producer, engineer, and the other members of the band, when really, you’re just there to take notes and move a mic.
So, understanding the order in which things need to happen, and how to creatively suggest things is vital.”
| John Terrell | Soul Haven Studio | Clients: A$AP Ferg, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J Blige, Bobby Brown, Snoop Dog, Queen Latifah |
“You’re there to learn and watch. Not to comment. Not to start rapping. And definitely not to try to tell the artist what they should do.
Do not open your mouth unless they ask you a question or what do you think. You’re there to just watch and pay attention, because it’s a live session going on and you don’t have a right to say something to the engineer…He needs to stay focused”
| Sharrief Thomas | Water Music Publishing | Clients: K-9 Posse, Big Bub, Heavy D, Snoop Dog, Raekwon |
“My job is to facilitate [my clients] to create, so it really bothers me when you get a guy that’s trying to talk to the client all the time, they’re trying to show them their beats they made at home and trying to get their phone number. You can’t do that, it’s not really appropriate. There is a studio etiquette. Write your questions down so that you can remember, and then when we’re alone and you want to ask me what was I doing, I’m more than happy to answer. But while the client’s paying big dollars to be in there and trying to create his album, that is not the time you start blurting out questions.”
| Tre Nagella | Luminous Sound Studios | Clients: Lady Gaga, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dog, Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott |
“You cannot act like a fan, you know, it’s not like that at all. You’ve got to step back down…If somebody’s an assistant at a studio and like J. Cole was in the studio, you do not tweet, ‘Oh, J. Cole’s in the studio”… These artists are paying a lot of money for their privacy. So, if you just start tweeting or putting it on Facebook that you’re with them and you’re tagging a location with that artist, they’re going to have fans outside. And they’re not going to like that, and they’re not going to come back to the studio.“
| Sax DMA | DMA Studios | Clients: Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan |
“If you’re just comfortable with people, it becomes very easy. An artist will come in to sing. I understand that singing isn’t a robotic thing…They have to feel comfortable when they stand in front of the microphone and sing and do it well. It takes some kind of passion, you know. To be comfortable around people, I feel like that creates that environment to where the artist is able to perform, because that moment when you hit record is a very important moment—that’s what makes a record great. When you think about David Bowie and all the times he sung, those moments when they were recording him and he was able to just sing the way he was able to sing, that’s timeless. So, it’s all just based on being comfortable. They’re there to make music. You’re there to make music as well.”
| Victor Abreu | Clear Track Studios | Credits: Michael Buble, Gucci Mane, Machine Gun Kelly, Paula Cole, Juliette Lewis |
“You’ve got to leave that ego at the door. You have one goal as a co-producer: To make something sound good, make something good, create something good. So, it’s like if you have some sort of negative vibe, it’s not going to work. You’ve got to have an open mind.”
| Luis Pacheco | The Hideout | Credits: 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre, HBO, Pixar, Sony Music, Lil’ Wayne, Wiz Khalifa |
THE BEST WAY TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
1. Quincy Jones (Legendary Producer)
“You’ve got to go after your dreams. Never stop learning, never stop working, and surround yourself with people who are better than you.”
“Learn everything you can about music. There’s no shortcut; you have to put in the time and work hard.”
“Surround yourself with the best people you can find. Collaborate, learn, and be open to feedback—it’s how you grow.”
2. Rick Rubin (Iconic Producer)
“Focus on the music first. When you create something genuine, people will notice. Don’t chase trends; let your passion guide you.”
“Focus on making great art. If the art is good enough, everything else will fall into place.”
3. Dr. Dre (Rapper, Producer, and Entrepreneur)
“Be willing to put in the time, even when no one’s listening. The music industry rewards those who hustle and never give up.”
“Persistence and hard work are everything. Stay in the studio, keep creating, and never stop pushing yourself.”
“Even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet.”
4. Manny Marroquin (Grammy Award-Winning Mixing Engineer)
“Network, network, network. This industry is all about relationships. Put yourself out there, get involved, and be someone people want to work with.”
5. Bob Clearmountain (Legendary Mixing Engineer)
“Find a mentor, get in a real studio, and learn the ropes by watching and assisting the best. There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.”
“Get in the room with professionals and absorb as much as you can. Real-world experience is the best teacher.”
6. Sylvia Massy (Record Producer and Engineer)
“Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—create your own. Produce music, share your work, and build your own brand.”
“Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to make music. Just start creating and sharing it. The more you do, the more people will notice.”
7. Pharrell Williams (Producer and Artist)
“The best way to break into the industry is to be so good that they can’t ignore you. Let your work speak for itself.”
“Be original. Don’t be afraid to bring your unique perspective. The industry always needs new voices and new ideas.”
“Don’t follow the crowd. Be yourself, and the industry will come to you.”
8. Chris Lord-Alge (Mixing Engineer)
“You’re going to hear a lot of ‘no’s’ before you hear a ‘yes.’ Keep going. The ones who succeed are the ones who don’t quit.”
“You’re going to face rejection—lots of it. The ones who succeed are the ones who keep going no matter what.”
9. Brian Eno (Producer and Musician)
“Don’t be afraid to be different. The industry needs fresh perspectives and unique sounds. Your individuality is your greatest asset.”
“Don’t just follow what’s popular. Take risks, be experimental, and explore what truly interests you.”
“Embrace uncertainty. Some of the greatest things come from not knowing.”
10. T Bone Burnett (Producer, Musician, and Composer)
“Find your tribe—people who understand and support your vision. Collaboration is often the key to breaking through.”
11. Jay-Z (Rapper, Producer, and Entrepreneur)
“Be your own brand. Control your image, your message, and your music. It’s the best way to protect your vision.”
12. Lady Gaga (Singer-Songwriter)
“You have to be unique and different and shine in your own way.”
“You have to be fearless in the pursuit of your dreams. If you believe in what you’re doing, others will too.”
13. Taylor Swift (Singer-Songwriter)
“Be fearless in your pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
14. Alicia Keys (Singer-Songwriter and Producer)
“Stay true to yourself because there are very few people who will always be true to you.”
“Stay grounded and stay focused on your craft. Everything else is just noise.”
15. Ed Sheeran (Singer-Songwriter)
“Play every gig you can, no matter how small. Each performance helps you grow and connect with more people.”
“I played every open mic night I could find, for years. It’s about getting out there and performing as much as possible.”
WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS
Quincy Jones (Legendary Producer)
“The successful indie artists are almost always looking at everything from the other person’s point of view.”
Taylor Swift (Singer-Songwriter)
“I really believe we in the music industry can work together to find a way to bond technology with integrity.”
Rick Rubin (Iconic Producer)
“Innocence brings forth innovation.”
Seth Godin (Author and Music Industry Commentator)
“You should be more afraid of being obscure… than you should be afraid of disappointing a few people.”
George Howard (Music Business Professor and Consultant)
“You have to have a skill set that allows you to believe that your ideas are valid.”
Jack Conte (Musician and CEO of Patreon)
“There’s a bubbling soup of ideas and experiments and progress right now, and it’s pointing in the direction of getting creators paid.”
Kelly Rowland (Singer and Actress)
“Coming into the music industry, even when I was a kid, one thing I learned is timing is everything. You being prepared is everything.”
Sara Bareilles (Singer-Songwriter)
“The music industry can feel wonderful, but it can also feel very cold.”
Melanie Martinez (Singer-Songwriter)
“Make sure this [music industry] is what you love to do, and you can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Bill Withers (Singer-Songwriter)
“Don’t cheat yourself out of music. Music is one thing. The music business is another thing.”
THE MINDSET YOU NEED TO MONETIZE YOUR MUSIC AND AUDIO SKILLS
Adaptability and Innovation: With rapid technological advancements, the music industry is constantly evolving. Artists and music entrepreneurs must stay adaptable and embrace new technologies to thrive. Understanding innovative methodologies, especially in digital distribution and marketing, is crucial for long-term success (Hepworth-Sawyer et al., 2014).
Networking and Promotion: Building strong industry connections and leveraging networks are vital. Successful musicians often emphasize the importance of engaging with fans and collaborating with other industry professionals. Networking is not just about business but also about learning from others and exploring creative synergies (Novirda, 2011).
Entrepreneurial Mindset: For those involved in the business side, such as producers and studio owners, an entrepreneurial approach is essential. Approximately 42% of an artist’s success can be linked to business acumen, emphasizing the significance of entrepreneurship in music careers (Kitamura & Ribeiro, 2018).
Creative Flexibility: Artists must be able to transform their creative expressions into marketable assets or “acoustic capital.” This involves not just creating music but understanding how to translate it into viable products within the fast-paced digital music landscape (Lange et al., 2013).
Live Performances and Audience Engagement: With shifts in revenue models due to streaming and other digital platforms, live performances have become an essential income source for artists. Engaging live shows and direct fan interactions are now pivotal strategies for financial success in the industry (Tschmuck, 2017).
Persistence and Resilience: The journey in the music industry is not without challenges. Overcoming obstacles, continuously refining one’s craft, and maintaining a resilient attitude are necessary to sustain a long-lasting career (Yogaswara, 2012).
Digital Streaming and Copyright Innovations: The evolution of digital platforms, such as streaming services, has become the dominant revenue stream for artists. However, this shift also presents challenges, as traditional revenue models are less effective in ensuring equitable income distribution among creators. Innovative business models, such as direct-to-consumer strategies, are gaining traction to better align artists’ earnings with their creative output (Wacholtz, 2016).
The Rise of NFTs and Blockchain Technology: Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are emerging as a new avenue for musicians to generate income. By leveraging NFTs, artists can sell exclusive digital content directly to their fans, bypassing traditional intermediaries. This model has the potential to disrupt the “hits market” that typically benefits only a few top-tier artists, allowing for more diversified income streams (Ankenman, 2023).
Crowdfunding and Direct Fan Engagement: Crowdfunding platforms and live streaming have become increasingly popular, allowing artists to monetize their fan base directly. This model fosters a closer connection between musicians and their audiences, providing a reliable source of income through fan support (Bacache-Beauvallet, 2022).
Diversified Income Sources for Musicians: The industry’s shift toward digital has led to more fragmented opportunities. Many musicians now engage in portfolio employment, balancing multiple roles and income sources, such as teaching, performing, and content creation, to sustain their careers. This approach reflects the need for adaptability and resilience in an increasingly competitive market (Thomson, 2013).
Cultural Capital and Skill Diversification: Success in the industry is no longer just about talent but also about accruing “musical capital” by mastering diverse skill sets. This includes performance skills, digital marketing, and audience engagement, which are critical for sustainable monetization in today’s landscape (Coulson, 2010).
Adaptation to Changing Revenue Models: With the decline in revenue from traditional physical media, there’s a growing focus on live performances, synchronization deals, and digital rights. Artists who can navigate these diverse revenue channels while maintaining creative integrity are more likely to thrive (Lozić et al., 2023).
David Andrew Wiebe (Musician and Author)
“There are many ways to make money in the music industry. To date, I’ve made money from the music business in 21 different ways and counting.”
Quincy Jones (Legendary Producer)
“The successful indie artists are almost always looking at everything from the other person’s point of view.”
Taylor Swift (Singer-Songwriter)
“I really believe we in the music industry can work together to find a way to bond technology with integrity.”
Gearspace Source: Taylor Swift’s open letter to Apple Music, published on June 21, 2015.
Rick Rubin (Iconic Producer)
“Innocence brings forth innovation.”
MusicRadar Source: Interview with Rick Rubin in The New York Times, published on September 21, 2014.
Seth Godin (Author and Music Industry Commentator)
“You should be more afraid of being obscure… than you should be afraid of disappointing a few people.”
Kidadl Source: Seth Godin’s blog post titled “Obscurity,” published on March 3, 2011.
George Howard (Music Business Professor and Consultant)
“You have to have a skill set that allows you to believe that your ideas are valid.”
Kidadl Source: Interview with George Howard in Forbes, published on April 15, 2016.
Jack Conte (Musician and CEO of Patreon)
“There’s a bubbling soup of ideas and experiments and progress right now, and it’s pointing in the direction of getting creators paid.”
Kidadl Source: Interview with Jack Conte in The Verge, published on May 7, 2019.
Kelly Rowland (Singer and Actress)
“Coming into the music industry, even when I was a kid, one thing I learned is timing is everything. You being prepared is everything.”
Gearspace Source: Interview with Kelly Rowland in Billboard, published on August 27, 2013.
Sara Bareilles (Singer-Songwriter)
“The music industry can feel wonderful, but it can also feel very cold.”
Gearspace Source: Interview with Sara Bareilles in Rolling Stone, published on July 10, 2013.
Melanie Martinez (Singer-Songwriter)
“Make sure this [music industry] is what you love to do, and you can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Gearspace Source: Interview with Melanie Martinez in Alternative Press, published on September 15, 2015.
Bill Withers (Singer-Songwriter)
“Don’t cheat yourself out of music. Music is one thing. The music business is another thing.”
Gearspace Source: Interview with Bill Withers in Rolling Stone, published on April 9, 2015.
HOW TO STAY ON TOP ONCE YOU GET THERE
Continuous Education and Skill Development
Staying informed about industry trends and honing your craft are essential. Engaging in formal education, such as music programs or workshops, can provide valuable knowledge and skills. For instance, Berklee College of Music emphasizes the importance of staying updated with industry changes and building a strong foundation for long-term success.
Networking and Building Relationships
Establishing connections with industry professionals can open doors to opportunities and collaborations. Attending industry events, joining music associations, and actively engaging with peers are effective ways to build a supportive network. Berklee College of Music highlights the significance of networking and creative alliances in building a career and establishing a personal brand in the music industry.
Seeking Mentorship
Learning from experienced professionals offers insights that can accelerate your career. Mentors provide guidance, share industry knowledge, and help navigate challenges. The Musicians’ Union offers a “Mentoring in Music” guide to assist individuals in finding and benefiting from mentorship.
Embracing Technological Advancements
The music industry is continually evolving with technology. Utilizing digital tools for production, distribution, and promotion can enhance your reach and efficiency. Staying abreast of technological trends is crucial for maintaining competitiveness. Yellowbrick emphasizes the importance of embracing technology and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tools in the music business industry.
Developing Business Acumen
Understanding the business aspects, such as marketing, contracts, and financial management, is vital. This knowledge enables informed decision-making and protects your interests. Yellowbrick discusses the importance of understanding the business side of the music industry, including topics such as copyright law, royalties, and contracts.
Ari Herstand (Musician and Author)
Sure, there are little victories here and there that may seem like lucky breaks, but luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity.
Joe Conyers (Co-founder of Songtrust)
“Curiosity is the most important skill an entrepreneur can have. No matter where you are in a business you have to constantly challenge your assumptions and ask questions of your customers, your team, your partners, and most importantly yourself.”
Simon S. Tam (Musician and Author)
“Success in the music industry isn’t something that you wait for or hope for. It is something that you create, day after day.”
Judd Greenstein (Composer and Producer)
“An artist’s musical experience is as unique as his or her life experience; finding a way of capturing that unique set of experiences and using one’s skills to turn them into meaningful art is the path to being an extraordinary musician in the 21st century.”
1. As an Artist
“Stay true to yourself and what makes you unique. Authenticity is what resonates with people. Success is about consistently delivering your passion and connecting with your audience on a deeper level.”
— Beyoncé, Source: Vogue
2. As a Technician (Audio Engineer)
“You have to be obsessed with the details, but also understand the vision of the artist you’re working with. Technical skills are important, but your ability to interpret and translate emotion into sound is what sets you apart.”
— Manny Marroquin, Grammy-winning mix engineer, Source: Mix Online
3. As a Songwriter
“The key to successful songwriting is learning how to communicate your deepest thoughts in a way that others can feel and relate to. Vulnerability makes the song resonate—don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”
— Ed Sheeran, Source: BBC
4. As a Business Person/Manager
“The most important skill for a music manager is negotiation. Always stand firm for your artist, but understand how to create win-win situations. Relationships are everything in the business, so maintaining respect, while being assertive, will always take you far.”
— Scooter Braun, Music Manager, Source: Forbes
5. As an Entrepreneur
“You need to be a hustler—there’s no way around it. This industry doesn’t wait for anyone. You have to create your own opportunities, take risks, and understand the market better than anyone else. Innovation is key.”
— Jay-Z, Rapper and Business Mogul, Source: The New York Times
6. General Success Advice in Music Industry
“The music business is a contact sport—relationships matter as much as talent. You’ve got to network like your career depends on it—because it does. Get out there, meet people, show genuine interest, and build those connections.”
— Bob Clearmountain, Audio Engineer and Producer, Source: Sound on Sound
Networking Advice and Tips on Making Opportunities Happen
“Before I start saying, ‘Hey man, can you do this session?,’ I need to see, technically, they know enough of what they’re doing to trust them enough not to screw up and also that I don’t fear that they’ll conduct themselves in a negative way with a client. There are people that I think of very highly, like, ‘Man, this guy is great. He knows what he’s talking about,’ but I just don’t know that I can hand him a session because his people skills are a bit lacking. If someone can’t read the artist and interact with them based on what the artist needs, then it isn’t a good fit between engineer and artist.”
| Andy Shoemaker | Rax Trax Recording | Credits: Buddy Guy, Ice Cube, Alan Parsons, George Thorogood, George Clinton, Chance the Rapper, Lil’ Wayne, Joe Dart |
“Half the battle is your personality and how you make the customer or client feel… You can have a great ear and cool studio but if you aren’t a pleasure to work with, I guarantee artists would rather record elsewhere. In fact, I’ve heard this multiple times from clients.”
| Matt Young | The Press Recording Studio | Credits: Thrice, The Living Legends, Everclear, Blink 182, Katy Perry, Killswitch Engage |
“Wherever you are, how you visually look, how you talk to people, the way you carry yourself is your business card…We have to visualize that our demeanor is our business card, and websites fall a little flat when we can’t attract opportunity in real time.”
| Frenchie Smith | The Bubble Recording Studio | Credits: Cliff Jones, Jason Ward, Mark Hutchins, Chris Zane, T.J. Doherty, Robbie Adams |
“A lot of the bigger DJs that are also producers are basically little industries. So over time they realize they that they don’t want just want to be a DJ, they don’t want to just produce tracks and remixes, they also have their own labels, their own booking agencies, their own clothing lines…So yeah,. you have to figure out what you want to do and do it. You have to be flexible, but you have to be focused…You have to think like an artist that’s also an entrepreneur.”
| Brian Jackson | Form Labs | Credits: Cyndi Lauper, Dion Roy, Chemlab, DJ Riz, The B-52s, Idris Elba |
“I think that it’s really important to go out and build your own career. And that’s what finding talent is to me, is being able to have the opportunity to find something I think is good and valuable and bring it to market. In the process, incidentally, I have my own label.”
| Michael Vail Blum | Titan Recording | Credits: Prince, Madonna, Roger Daltrey, Julian Lennon, Goo Goo Dolls, Joan Baez, Suicidal Tendencies, Jim Croce, Percy Sledge |
“All artists have misconceptions. Then you start breaking down the process…and they very quickly find out that it’s nothing like they thought it was going to be… So, once they start to get all this information, then their minds start to pick it apart and go their own way… I don’t want them to just go out and get a job: I want them to create their own job. And [once they know how] they’re ready to start doing that.”
“I went to bigger studios…and I said, ‘Okay, I get that you don’t have a job, but if I bring you a client, can I hang out in the session and just kind of soak everything up?’ And they were like, ‘Yeah, of course.
It was never like, ‘Oh, I’m just kind of trying to get a job at a studio.’ I would go out to shows and I would hand out business cards that I made on my computer…I started doing stuff for free for people and hip-hop guys around my neighborhood and people I went to high school with… Once they saw how excited I was about their music and how energetic I was about doing it, they wanted to work.”
| Doug Boulware | The Abstract Recording Studios | Credits: Netflix, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Frank Ocean |
“Luck is preparedness meets opportunity, and anytime I’d ask [Scott-Recording Connection Apprentice] to come in to shadow or assist, he was there…[Now]he’s my go-to guy. When I have sessions, I’ll call him first.”
| Steve Catizone | Infinite Music | Credits: Interscope Records, NBC, Universal Music, Sony Music, Black Eyed Peas, Don Henley, Flock of Seagulls, Foghat |
“You’ve got to be the guy they can count on when they need you to get things done…Putting in long, long hours, especially hours that I didn’t want to put in, when I wanted to make plans with my girlfriend, friends, or family was the most difficult self-discipline that I’ve had to endure. You really have to sacrifice some of your free time to be respected in the industry.”
| David Lee Hughes | Shine On Studio | Credits: Mars Volta, Fortress United, Krystal Park, NBC, MTV, CBS, History Channel |
“The whole 10,000 hours thing is the time you put in to become great. Create opportunities for yourself in the different places that you want to go. Continue that same attitude when you reach that point, and when you reach the next point. Just trust the process. Continue to do what you know how to do best, and everything else pretty much falls into place.”
| Victor Abreu | Clear Track Studios | Credits: Michael Buble, Gucci Mane, Machine Gun Kelly, Paula Cole, Juliette Lewis |
“Keep your head up. Opportunities are everywhere. It’s just about opening the door and running with it.”
| Luis Pacheco | The Hideout | Credits: 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre, HBO, Pixar, Sony Music |
“You have to go out and make buddy-buddy with people. You have to go meet people, you have to go rub elbows, and you have to learn how to present yourself. [And when you reach out to potential connections] you need to make sure you’re giving them a chance to respond with something on their end. You’re having an exchange. Ask yourself, are you giving them a chance to show who they are? If you’re just saying, ‘That’s cool, man.’ Then you’re just talking about yourself. There’s no objective. So, you always want to make sure you have an objective, but don’t make it…’Go make friends.’
Seal that connection by committing to doing something for them, then deliver on it like a pro: Understand what you have to offer. Don’t oversell, undersell and over-deliver.”
“I stay in close contact with the majority of people who I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and it’s just really exciting to see what people are doing and where their careers are taking them…I get a handful of emails and calls every week about what people are doing [saying], ‘Hey, I’m going on the road with this band. What’s some gear that I should bring?’ Or, ‘What do you think of this project I’m working on?’…Or, ‘Do you know a good mastering guy?’”
| Zach Phillips | Freq Lab Recording |
“I would say it all changed for the studio when Nelly [the rapper] first came in. It really opened the eyes of some of the labels around town…That sort of opened the doors for us. At that point we realized, ‘Hey, we’re developing these connections with the major labels. We’re starting to really understand how the game works. And, yeah, we can do this. We can do this on a major, major level.’..That’s when we decided, ‘Okay, let’s expand. Let’s build this other, our studio A. And let’s buy this console. And let’s get a real analog console in here and build a world class suite.’ And that’s what we did.”
| Mike Landau | Phat Buddha | Clients: Ludacris, Chuck Berry, Sade, Waka Flocka, Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Rick Ross |