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Issue #38
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
In last week’s newsletter, Doug Boulware bragged on a couple of our Recording Connection apprentices who were mentored by Donny Baker at ES Audio in Glendale, CA, and who have since become established figures at the studio. One of those graduates is Jesse Rhodes, who has gone on to become head engineer at the studio, and has even mentored some students himself! This week, we thought it would be a great idea to follow up by letting Jesse share in his own words where he’s at now, and tell us how Recording Connection’s mentor-apprentice approach helped him get where he is today!
“I got started through Recording Connection in 2011. I always wanted to work in music and production, and Recording Connection provided me with the opportunity to pursue it. For the first time I found myself taking my studies seriously, and soon got noticed by my mentor, Donny Baker. When I completed my studies, I got hired at that studio, ES Audio, where I have been working as the head engineer for about 3 years now. Through that, I got the opportunity to work with some great artists, such as T-Boz from TLC, Sharon Leal, Jedward, and YouTube phenom Shane Dawson. I’ve also gotten several placements in movies through my work, and mentored other students coming in from Recording Connection.
“As much as I love producing and writing for other artists, my main project right now is my duo group, Dire Docks. We recently released an EP called ‘In Waves,’ with a music video of the single ‘Georgia Line,’ which is featured in Shane Dawson’s comedy ‘Not Cool’, which is number 2 on the comedy charts right now.
“It’s been really intense getting it all ready to release on time, and I have my training to thank for all of it. Without Recording Connection, Donny, and my growing through the work I’ve done at ES Audio, I don’t think I would have been where I am today. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve produced, and I don’t think that I could have ever imagined all the things I’ve gotten to do and achieved in the past 3 years. It’s been an incredible ride. I’m really excited to see where it all leads.
“If I was going to leave the current and future students at Recording Connection with one bit of advice, it would be, ‘Keep at it.’ If you really believe in what you do, and that you have something to offer, you will get where you want to go. It might not happen the exact way you envisioned, but you will get there. Just keep pushing. Show that you want to be where you are, and put in the work. You never know who you’ll meet or work with.”
The Recording Connection is known for getting our students’ feet in the door of real recording studios. Jesse Rhodes is a great example of what happens when you make the most of that opportunity! We’re very proud of Jesse and all he’s accomplished.
If you want to follow Jesse’s band Dire Docks, here’s the info:
“I think it is about time that this approach to culinary education came to the United States. I started in an apprenticeship in France when I was 14 years old. I had no formal culinary school training. Apprenticeship programs were the only thing offered and I feel that they’re the best way to go.”
— Maurice Brazier retired Chef (formerly of Le Méridien Etoile in Paris)
Daryn Davidson is currently a Film Connection apprentice with our superstar mentor Joey Heier at Crystal Clear Studio in Philadelphia. She writes so eloquently on her student blog about the experiences she’s having that we decided to reach out and get an exclusive with this dedicated and determined apprentice ourselves. Here’s how it went…
RRF: Tell us about the music video you filmed and are currently editing.
Daryn Davidson: The music video is for an acoustic jazz gypsy trio named Ameranouche. I had only been with Joey for two weeks when he felt confident about handing me a camera and making me cameraperson to the lead player of the trio. I felt very honored to be given that responsibility, and I gave it the seriousness it engendered. It’s just Joey and I who are doing the editing.
RRF: What made you want to edit film and do camera work?
Daryn: I’ve been interested in camera work ever since I was a child, but I was more into still photography then, and it wasn’t until I was older that I wanted to play around with the movie cameras. The editing came after I met Joey Heier and worked with him in editing. Since then, it has become a bigger passion for me than even having a camera in my hand. But the passion I have for both is bone-deep.
RRF: What is your ultimate goal/dream in film?
Daryn: I want to be thought well of and that my work speaks of quality. I want to have an enduring career.
RRF: What learning experiences stand out for you while apprenticing with Joey?
Daryn: Joey gives me guidance when I ask for it, but if I don’t, then he trusts that I can do whatever he has asked of me. It’s like flying solo but with a safety net, and that works for me greatly.
RRF: What misconceptions do people have about the way the film industry works?
Daryn: I don’t really know of any misconception(s). I know of the contradictions ‘if you have a great idea you will make it / you need more than a good idea to make it’ and both have their points, but I know how I’m going to make this work for me, and that is just working hard, keep on learning everything about my craft and loving every minute of it.
RRF: Do you feel more confident about your abilities to film, edit, and navigate the industry than you did before the program?
Daryn: Very much so! I had no idea what to do or how to even start before I met the Film Connection. If it wasn’t for the Film Connection and Mr. Joey Heier, I would be floating in a void of not knowing what to do.
This month’s INSTAGRAM CONTEST will be wrapping up soon! Tag us in your candid Instagram photos taken in your mentor’s studio, and win!
We’ve upped the prize value this month, and we’ve changed the rules a little—so read carefully! Here’s what to do:
All disciplines included: Recording, Radio, and Film!
Share inspiring and unique, fun, exciting candid photos on Instagram of you, your mentor, the studio, or people you’re working with.
To submit, post your photos to Instagram including the following TWO TAGS:
#recordingconnection, #filmconnection OR #radioconnection
(whichever is appropriate); AND
# [name of the city where you apprentice]!
Tag us in as many photos as you’d like! Each properly tagged photo counts as a contest entry. BOTH City and Program Hashtags MUST be present in order for the photo to be considered.
Winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card!
When we say some of the biggest names in music are supporters of our real-world, hands-on approach, we’re not kidding around.
The pros that teach for Studio Prodigy are some of the biggest, baddest names in the music industry and we’re glad to tell you, they’re big believers in what we’re doing—getting our students trained one-on-one in a real, professional recording studio where they’re mentored by pros, i.e. people who make their living making music. There’s simply no better, more hands-on way to do it.
Studio Prodigy co-founder Producer/Engineer Ryan J. Hewitt is a full supporter of the Recording Connection. Recent credits include Lady Gaga, blink-182, Angus & Julia Stone, The Avett Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Johnny Cash, Sheryl Crow and more. Other Studio Prodigy Masters include…
Capitol Studios go-to engineer and mixer for many of the biggest names in music, the legendary Al Schmitt has twenty two Grammys to his name. Known for his lush sound, Schmitt’s discography spans the decades from engineering back in the day for Henri Mancini and Sam Cooke to producing and mixing for today’s major artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Celine Dion and Michael Bublé. Other artists include Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Chick Corea, Lena Horne, Jefferson Airplane, George Benson, Toto, Steely Dan, Earth Wind and Fire and myriad of others.
Engineer/producer Eddie Kramer has worked with many of rock’s biggest names during his five decades in the industry. Credits include The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, KISS, The Kinks, David Bowie, Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana, John Mellencamp, Jefferson Airplane, Anthrax and Whitesnake. Kramer also has numerous soundtrack credits and is interviewed extensively in the American Masters documentary ‘Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin,’ which debuted in November 2013.
Multi-Platinum and 2 time Grammy-winning producer, mixer and engineer Ross Hogarth has worked with artists that run the spectrum from Mötley Crüe to Miley Cyrus. Grammy wins include Best Reggae Record 2007 for Ziggy Marley’s “Love Is My Religion” and Best Contemporary Blues 1998 for Keb’ Mo’s “Slow Down”. Multi-platinum works include REM, Miley Cyrus, Jewel, The Jonas Brothers, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty and Hall and Oates.
The Studio Prodigy Master Class Series continues on November 8th and 9th with Session Six: Jim Scott “From the Ground Up” taking place at Jim’s own PLYRZ Studios, in Valencia, California. The two day advanced class will encompass a multitude of recording, mixing and production techniques including the clean, moody and vibey recordings that are markers of Scott’s impeccable sound. Engineer, mixer and producer, Scott’s credits include Sting, Dido, Tom Petty, Weezer, Cypress Hill, Tedeschi Trucks Band, the Dixie Chicks, Wilco, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Whiskeytown.
We strongly recommend the Studio Prodigy Master Class Series to all advanced and master’s level students and mentors. You couldn’t possibly find better company!
For more information, click here!
Brian and Jimi were happy to help celebrate yet another fantastic AES Convention as co-sponsors of the Afterglow after-party, held on the rooftop of The Standard Hotel in Hollywood. It was great meeting up with all our friends and co-sponsors from Vintage King, AVID, Gearslutz and the Focal Press, while enjoying great music, conversation and cocktails and that epic Los Angeles sunset.
Brian and Jimi hope all who attended had just as great a time as they did. We can’t wait to do it again!
The Recording Connection is pleased to partner with yet another world-class industry pro to mentor our students; Paul L. Marshall, producer, chief engineer and owner of Paul L. Marshall Studio in Cape Coral, Florida!
Starting his music career as a drummer, Paul eventually took an interest in the mixing console and began moving into audio engineering. Much of his experience has been on the live audio end of things, working in live venues with bands and artists such as Linkin Park, Staind, Mudvayne, Nickelback and others. Today, Paul owns and operates Paul L. Marshall Studios as its chief engineer, offering both studio and live pro audio services to a wide range of clients. This puts Paul in a great position to mentor our students in many different areas of interest!
We’re excited to count Paul as one of our mentoring partners, and we look forward to seeing what our SW Florida apprentices accomplish under his expertise! Welcome, Paul!
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