Today’s featured FAQ Friday question is:
Do studios and producers ever play band match-maker? For instance, has an artist working alone ever sent you a DIY album that you though had good writing, was well-recorded, and was ready to mix, but with the addition of other great players, they would really raise the creativity and make it even better still.
We talk a lot about empowering people, and encouraging artists to help them develop, and honestly, that is my favorite part of what I do. When an artist comes into the studio, and maybe they have a great song or a great voice, or just one of those things, to me, the best thing is getting to work with an artist and help them become more of themselves. I can co-write with them, or find great players to work with them, or whatever else it takes to help them make a great record.
The most important part of all this, though, is knowing when to “match-make” or bring in other players, and when to just coax that performance out of your artist, because you know they have it in them. If they are already a great instrumentalist, encourage them and help them be the best they can on the record. I have worked with artists where they play almost every part on the album because they have that talent, and just needed a little encouragement to bring it out.
When necessary, we will bring in session players or audition bands and other people to come in and help out. Another important element in doing this is finding people that are going to be a good fit for your artist. Find them someone they will want to work with in the future and play match-maker in that sense.
When working with an artist, have them walk out of your studio a better songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, have a better understanding of production, or something else that helps them grow as an artist.
Watch the video below to see the full answer to this question and the answers to other wonderful FAQ Friday questions!
