Why do your deepest, most emotional songs come out better when you stop trying so hard? In this episode, I sit down with Nashville legend Bobby Bare Jr. - fearless songwriter, creative instigator, touring bassist for Guided By Voices, and the son of Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare. This conversation is a masterclass in real creativity, free of pretension and full of joy, humor, wisdom, and truth bombs about songwriting, gear, life, ego, and the artistic process. We dig deep into Bobby’s p...
Jun 19, 2026•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 563
What do you actually need to know BEFORE you press your vinyl record… and what mistakes will totally ruin it? In this episode, Piper Payne returns to take us way deeper into the real-world physics, workflows, and decisions behind vinyl mastering and pressing. We dig into how your mixes translate onto a lacquer, why the inside of a record behaves differently from the outside, and what you should never do with high-frequency content, fades, or waveform clipping if you want your album to play back ...
Jun 12, 2026•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 562
What happens when your drumming videos blow up online… and suddenly you’re touring the world behind your own band? Hi Rockstars, it’s your host Lij Shaw. In this episode, I sat down with Nashville drummer and creator Kortney Grinwis , one half of the alt-pop duo Chapel, to talk about her journey from posting drum videos on the internet to building a full-time career on the road. Kortney shared how she developed her sound, her creative identity, and the instincts that guide her as both a drummer ...
Jun 05, 2026•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 561
What happens when you stop chasing the band dream… and start writing songs that actually work in the real world? Hi Rockstars, it’s your host Lij Shaw. In this episode, I sat down with songwriter, producer, and sync-music mentor Mike Meiers to dig into how he went from traditional band life to building a sustainable career writing music for film, TV, ads, and beyond. We talked about how understanding the emotional core of a song is the number-one skill that determines whether your music connects...
May 29, 2026•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 560
Why does the rough mix always feel like the real song - and how the hell do you get that magic back without ruining it? In this episode, Pat Sansone and I go deep into the lifelong puzzle of mixing: why the first tracking rough has all the energy, how chasing it can make you crazy, and why mixing is really more like photography than engineering. Pat walks through how his visual art - Polaroids, slide film, CMYK vs RGB, Lambda printing - has taught him to trust instinct, appreciate imperfections,...
May 22, 2026•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 559
What happens when you sit down with a songwriter who’s done everything from early fan-funded records, to major-label pop, to K-pop, to sync, to teaching songwriting at Berklee - and ask him what really matters in the studio today? Bleu McAuley and I go deep into the intersection of creativity, workflow, sync licensing, AI, and staying inspired at a time when music creation is changing fast. We start with his early days in Boston, learning four-tracks and alternate tunings, following Ducky Carlis...
May 15, 2026•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 558
What happens when you rescue a forgotten studio that once shaped American music history - and bring it roaring back to life? This week, I sat down with Teresa Knox , the powerhouse entrepreneur and preservationist behind the rebirth of The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma - the legendary home of Leon Russell, the early Shelter Records family, and the roots of what became known as the Tulsa Sound. Teresa shares the entire arc of this wild journey: from collecting Leon Russell Slurpee cups as an 8...
May 08, 2026•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 557
What happens when you finally get to mix Spinal Tap in Dubly Atmos? You turn it up to 11, of course! My guest today is Grammy-nominated engineer and mixer Steve Genewick, joining us from his Atmos room in Los Angeles to walk us through the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt process of capturing and mixing the new "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" soundtrack and album. In this episode, Steve talks about working directly with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; recordin...
May 01, 2026•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 556
What if your mix engineer secretly backed up every session in triplicate just so your grandkids could remix your demo in 2085? In this episode, I’m joined by my brother from another podcast, Matt Boudreau - veteran mixer, Atmos trailblazer, and the host of Working Class Audio. Matt’s credits include immersive mixes for Green Day, Alanis Morissette, and the theme for Real Time with Bill Maher, plus stereo magic on artists like Deafheaven. We kick things off recapping our AES Long Beach hang - com...
Apr 24, 2026•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 555
What happens when a tree destroys your home and studio - and it leads you to a new creative life across two continents? In this episode, I talk with Ronan Chris Murphy, the world-traveling producer, engineer, and artist known for his work with King Crimson, Steve Morse, and Tony Levin, and for teaching hundreds of musicians how to finish their records through his Recording Bootcamp and RIPA Festival of International Sound. Ronan shares how losing his home and studio in the mountains north of Los...
Apr 17, 2026•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 554
What happens when you stop chasing shiny gear and start listening more carefully? In this episode, Locke Davis, founder and CEO of the Pickr Music app, shares how his deep dive into Nashville's studio culture and Blackbird Academy shaped his approach to building a platform that connects professionals and democratizes the recording industry. We explore the importance of community, the nuances of studio etiquette, and how technical tools can complement but not replace the human element in music cr...
Apr 10, 2026•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 553
In this episode, we dive deep into the art of staying creative - even when life gets messy. Tim and I talk about recording at home, the beauty of imperfection, Logic shortcuts, AI tools, Costa Rica inspiration, punk rock sound gigs, and songwriting prompts that dig into the soul. We also laugh a lot about “Spanish Inquisition Part 2,” fart algorithms, “The Wrong Burrito” in Nashville, and how to survive creative burnout by reconnecting with nature. Whether he’s building Logic sessions in his hom...
Apr 03, 2026•2 hr 10 min•Ep. 552
Meghan Gohil is a producer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He runs Hollywood Recording Studio and GoHill Records, where he helps artists make professional-sounding records with smart workflows, hybrid mixing, and practical indie-release strategies. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com In this episode, Meghan and I talk about the process of building a modern home-studio setup that competes with commercial rooms, how to blend analog gear with d...
Mar 27, 2026•1 hr 34 min
Have you ever wondered how embracing chaos and intuition can transform your creative process? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com In this episode, Laura Crapo shares her journey through music, film, healing, and the importance of staying authentic to your unique voice. We explore the parallels between art forms, the influence of environments, and how trusting your inner voice can lead to unexpected opportunities. Laura discusses her experiences with analog sound, f...
Mar 20, 2026•1 hr 57 min
Ever wondered how seasoned producers handle low-end management, creative sampling, or guiding musicians without spooking them? Join me as I chat with Nashville's own Brad Jones to uncover practical studio techniques, legendary stories, and lessons learned over decades of making records. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com In this episode, Brad shares insights from his experiences working with artists like Jill Sobule and Robyn Hitchcock, as well as legendary musici...
Mar 13, 2026•1 hr 59 min
Ever wonder how the chaos of remote recording setups and complex signals can actually come together in a studio environment? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Roger Alan Nichols, a Nashville-based producer, engineer, and songwriter with a résumé including Grammy-nominated projects, work with Hayley Williams, Steven Tyler, and the band Dreaming in English. He's also been a guest on the podcast multiple times, sharing detailed insights into studio...
Mar 06, 2026•2 hr 10 min
What does it really take to make a record that feels authentic, timeless, and even fun to make, without getting caught up in hype or hype-y gear? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jon Estes, a Nashville-born multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer with a diverse background working with artists like Béla Fleck, Robyn Hitchcock, Kacey Musgraves, and Rodney Crowell. He's known for blending vintage gear with modern tools and for his thoughtful...
Feb 27, 2026•2 hr 5 min
What happens when you mix turntables with virtual reality to reach 4 million students and 20,000 educators worldwide? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guests today are Ronnie and Tiffany Notch, the creative forces behind Breach, a company that blends music, technology, and education in groundbreaking ways. They share their journey from a chance meeting in a recording studio to building Breach, highlighting the role of Asymbli, their entertainment division. Th...
Feb 20, 2026•1 hr 48 min
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Josh Frigo, a producer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, who believes in putting artists and their ideas first. After several years as a touring utility player, Josh shifted his focus full-time to production and mixing, building a creative career shaped by self-learning, collaboration, and curiosity. Working across pop, singer-songwriter, and alternative genres, he's produc...
Feb 13, 2026•1 hr 54 min
What actually makes a mix feel musical before you ever touch an EQ? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Eric Sarafin, better known as Mixerman - a gold- and platinum-selling producer, mixer, and engineer with credits ranging from The Pharcyde and Tone-Lōc to Ben Harper, Lifehouse, Barenaked Ladies, Foreigner, and Pete Murray. He's also the author of Zen and the Art of Mixing, Zen and the Art of Producing, Zen and the Art of Recording, and his newe...
Feb 06, 2026•2 hr 14 min
What actually happens when you stop isolating everything and just let a band play together in the room? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Travis Harrison, founder of Serious Business Music, a Brooklyn-based studio known for capturing raw, honest performances from real bands. Travis joined me to talk about how his studio and workflow evolved over time - from early audio-only recordings to embracing video, hybrid setups, and modern tools - while s...
Jan 30, 2026•2 hr 7 min
How do you turn your studio skills into a thriving artist career? Ryan Prewett shares how funk, collaboration, and sync licensing helped him shift from producer-for-hire to full-time artist - and why building assets is the new record deal. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Ryan Prewett, a Nashville-based artist, producer, and mix engineer known for blending classic funk and soul with modern pop and groove-driven production. Ryan's work spans pro...
Jan 23, 2026•2 hr 5 min
How Did Michael Jackson's $98,000 Console Inspire the Ultimate Studio Compressor? What happens when missile-grade engineering meets music? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com Bill Cheney of Spectra 1964 joins me to reveal how a company born from aerospace tech became the secret sauce behind Stax, Ardent, and The Record Plant - and how that same precision lives on in Spectra's modern C610, STX mic pres, and new designs shaping today's studios. Bill shares the incred...
Jan 16, 2026•2 hr 7 min
What happens when you sit down with an engineer who helped define multiple eras of music - from Foreigner to Timbaland - and he tells you the secret is still just listening for what feels good? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jimmy Douglass, legendary producer, mixer, and engineer whose career spans more than five decades. Jimmy began as a teenager at Atlantic Records in New York, making tape copies and quietly slipping into the back of sessio...
Jan 09, 2026•1 hr 28 min
What does it take to lead two of the biggest names in pro audio? Phil Wagner shares how he went from NYC engineer to running SSL and Apogee - and why the best technology still starts with listening. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Phil Wagner, a longtime pro-audio industry leader who's helped shape some of the most respected recording technologies in the world. Phil began his career in New York City at Soundworks Studios, working hands-on as a...
Jan 02, 2026•1 hr 38 min
What does a rooftop studio, a cold plunge, and a punk rock heart have in common? Producer Toby Lloyd shares how surrender, discipline, and creative flow helped him build Tiny Triumph Recordings and rediscover joy in making music. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com Howdy Rockstars, my guest today is Toby Lloyd, a music producer, studio engineer, and mixing engineer who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings, a boutique rooftop recording studio in Wellington, New Zealand. Tob...
Dec 26, 2025•2 hr 23 min
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com Howdy Rockstars, my guest today is Rich Bernett, aka Sound of Machines, a Richmond, Virginia - based sound artist, builder, and experimental musician. Rich designs and performs with his own DIY instruments like the CassetteTone 2 and Rotary Drone , blending circuit bending, contact mics, and field recordings to create wild, organic, and otherworldly soundscapes. With a growing following on YouTube, Patreon, and Instagram, Rich sh...
Dec 19, 2025•2 hr 3 min
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Ian Fitchuk, a two-time Grammy Award–winning musician, songwriter, and producer based in Nashville. You've heard his work on Golden Hour with Kacey Musgraves - a landmark record that helped redefine the sound of modern country and pop. Ian has also collaborated with artists like Maggie Rogers, Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton, and Beyoncé, bringing his versatile musicianship and deep sense of songcraft to every pro...
Dec 12, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com What does it take to go from Ohio to LA and start mixing records at the highest level? In this episode, I sat down with mixer and engineer Ryan Nasci to trace his journey from the Midwest to Los Angeles, where he worked alongside the legendary Tony Maserati and began mixing artists like Kingfish, Celeste, and more. Ryan breaks down how he built a hybrid workflow that blends analog gear, plugins, and Atmos into mixes that stay mus...
Dec 05, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Learn why polar patterns matter more than EQ as Derek Bargaehr of Vanguard Audio Labs breaks down capsules, circuits, self-noise, phase tricks, stereo techniques, and practical mic placement you can use on your next session. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Derek Bargaehr. A lifelong tinkerer, he started out burning himself with a soldering iron and modding guitar pedals at 15, eventually working as Director of Operations for a successful micro...
Nov 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min
