I get to make music. I say it that way because I know how special that is. I probably am more of an engineer before anything else, but love all aspects around the lifestyle. I've produced, engineered, and mixed in the studio as well as live.
Recording and mixing albums is my main thing. There is just something to that magic that I can't do without. I can't think of a better way to spend my time.
I find myself occasionally doing some touring as a live mixer and sometimes road manager. I dig the traveling and the blue collar nature of it all. It takes a certain type of person to do that job. I really like the challenge.
I have a little recording studio in downtown Saint Paul Minnesota called Bellows that I built with Producer/Composer Graham O'brien in 2012. That's home base and where I do most of my work these days but I still love going into new and different spaces whenever possible. Mobile recording in interesting places is a personal favorite way to record an album.
Mixing albums seems to be what I do the most, which worked out because I love mixing. Over the years I've been lucky enough to work with some great artists. Although every album seems to take a little bigger piece of me with it, I find myself trying to be bolder and bolder with every project I get. I think the risks are what make the music special. I go into every mix looking to risk it all on the right idea.
- ak