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There are all kinds of music producers in this world. The 'classic' producer comes from the tradition of handling everything related to a recording project, including its budget, booking studios and engineers, helping with musical arrangements and finding players, and generally creating an atmosphere for the band or artist to work in. At the other end of the spectrum is the know-nothing nimrod who has cards printed announcing said profession. This type arrives at the session late with their underpants pulled up over their heads, holding a bag of Doritos. Somewhere in the middle is a guy like me. I'm the engineer/producer type, which means that I don't typically get involved in music selection and arrangement or project budgets, or act like a manager. My years of experience make me well qualified to make recording sessions productive and fun. I'm interested in vibe and making the technology behind the music-making transparent. A recording project does not have to be a terror. Being prepared is where I can be helpful, and letting the music flow during a session is of particular interest to me. If you think you need help on this level, contact me and describe the project you're planning. It's typically not difficult for me to determine if I can be an asset to your project. Check out the discography I've compiled elsewhere on this site, which reveals that my primary experience is in working with acoustic-based projects. That includes everything from super-high sound pressure electric noise bands to the quietest music a microphone can reproduce. If you have a MIDI-based project that needs special technical attention, I will probably direct you to someone else who has those chops. Simply stated, I know when I can be useful to a recording project. Contact me and we'll figure it out: doug@doughaire.com. RADIO PRODUCER, SONARCHY RADIO This is a different world altogether. In January 1996, I got the A-OK from Jack Straw Productions and KCMU-FM (now KEXP) to do a weekly live music broadcast called Sonarchy Radio from Jack Straw's studios in Seattle's University District. The show was originally supposed to feature the "acid jazz" scene then prevalent in local clubs, which indeed it did, but like most scenes it quickly turned to shit. I happily opened the vista to include anything happening in the Northwest that I could present well with limited time to sound-check. Well, as of January 2004 there have been approximately 375 live one-hour broadcasts spanning every genre but pure pop, rock, and opera. (Celtic music is off the list, too.) I wear two beanies to make this show happen each week. The live broadcast mixing on the fly is totally fun and panders to one of my favorite ways of working, which is "let's do the whole thing right now!" The other hat is built like a surrealist object and has the word "producer" written across its thorax. This is when I compulsively and excitedly listen for great creative music and sound art being made from Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver, B.C. As I've said elsewhere, radio is a shockingly dead world lorded over by a few polluted minds. However, there are some bright, glowing spots on the dial and KEXP 90.3 FM is one of them. With possibly the best radio station Web site in the world and a very dedicated staff, I've been given room to present new music for an uninterrupted hour every Saturday night from 11 p.m. to midnight (PST). Jack Straw Productions, with its nonprofit mission to support the sonic arts, is totally central to making this show happen each week. Many of these shows have subsequently been released by the artists, and I've noted the ones I'm aware of on the Discography page. Sonarchy is going strong, and I just let it ride and invite you to consider doing a broadcast, too. You'll find an FAQ on the Jack Straw Web Site for more info, as well as some MP3s to hear. Contact me at doug@doughaire.com |