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WCA #561 with Jordan Lonn

WCA #561 with Jordan Lonn – FOH, Paying Dues, Failing Kidney’s, Home Town Gig, and Sustained Energy

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Jordan Lonn, Head Audio Engineer at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, California. The venue hosts a wide range of performances, including musical acts such as Joss Stone, Joan Osborne, and the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as musical theater and stand-up comedy.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Guitar Center
  • Dropping Out Of College
  • Paying Dues
  • Sustained Energy
  • Failing Kidney’s
  • Health Epiphany
  • Home Town Gig
  • FOH
  • Gallo Center

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Acting Territorial

Credits:

  • Guest: Jordan Lonn
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #560 The Backup Episode

WCA #560 The Backup Episode – 3-2-1 System, Nevada City Fire Scare, Altadena Fire Experience, and Best Practices & Considerations

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Grammy Nominated producer, engineer, and mixer Travis Ference as well as multi-instrumentalist, sound designer and audio engineer Kerry Rose to talk all about backing up and archiving audio.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • 3-2-1 System
  • Best Practices & Considerations
  • Insurance & Liability
  • Personal Experiences
  • Travis’s Altadena Fire Experience
  • Kerry’s Nevada City Fire Scare
  • Scorched Earth
  • Remote/Cloud Storage
  • Challenges with Cloud
  • Offsite NAS
  • Methodology Over Tools

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: The Many Hats We Wear

Credits:

  • Guest: Travis Ference and Kerry Rose
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #559 with Moses Schneider

WCA #559 with Moses Schneider – Hansa Studios, Disco Powder, Obscuring Audio, The Wall, and No Sandwich Recording

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Moses Schneider. The Berliner is responsible for some of the most successful records of recent years. The Beatsteaks achieved their breakthrough in the German charts under his direction. His other productions include Tocotronic, Fehlfarben, Dendemann, Kreator and others. In 2008, Schneider was nominated for the German music award Echo for his work on “Kapitulation” by Tocotronic and “Limbo Messiah” by the Beatsteaks. In 2018 and 2022 he was nominated for the German music Award “Preis für Popkultur” as “favorite Producer”.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Hansa Studios
  • The Pixies
  • Gil Norton
  • Gordon Raphael
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Disco Powder
  • Gentrification
  • Obscuring Audio

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Walking…..yes walking

Credits:

  • Guest: Moses Schneider
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #558 with Ady Parzentny

WCA #558 with Ady Parzentny – Barcelona, Artist Support, Studio Connections, and the Audio Nomad Book

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Ady Parzentny. Adrian Parzentny is a German‒Polish music producer, audio engineer, and creative adventurer. With over 13 years of travel and music production experience, Adrian has recorded traditional musicians across Morocco, the Sahara Desert, and beyond — often in remote villages, mountain ranges, and DIY setups built inside vans and hotel rooms.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Barcelona move
  • Audio Nomad book
  • Studio connections
  • Modeling
  • Freelance audio
  • Travel recording
  • Gear philosophy
  • Artist support
  • Music mediums
  • Authentic living
  • Intuition guides

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: More Discipline

Credits:

  • Guest: Ady Parzentny
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #557 with Assaad Lakkis

WCA #557 with Assaad Lakkis– Bullfunk Studios, Financial Realities, Continuous Learning, Perseverance, and Mental Health

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and musician Assaad Lakkis, the creative force behind Bull Funk Zoo and owner of Bull Funk Studios in Dubai. Assad’s career blends boundary-pushing rock, funk, and experimental sounds with his work producing and recording artists from around the world, making him a central figure in the Middle Eastern music scene.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • The Bullfunk Identity
  • Time in the US
  • Bullfunk Studios
  • Learning and Mentorship
  • First Studio Challenges
  • Job Market in Dubai
  • Current Home Studio
  • Financial Realities
  • Client Acquisition
  • Diversified Income
  • Continuous Learning
  • Perseverance
  • Mental Health

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Self-employed discipline

Credits:

  • Guest: Assaad Lakkis
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #556 with Toby Lloyd

WCA #556 with Toby Lloyd– Working in Film, Returning to Music, New Zealand Scene, Being a Good Dad, and The Morning Cold Plunge

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, mixer, Toby Lloyd who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings in Wellington, New Zealand. Toby’s career spans working in film (The Hobbit Trilogy, Avatar, Mortal Engines) as well as music by playing a central role in the New Zealand Music world.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Producing And Mixing Music
  • Rooftop Recording Studio
  • Meditation And Cold Plunge
  • Punk Rock Beginnings
  • 110 Studio Rejections
  • Sound Recordist On The Hobbit
  • Learning In Collaboration
  • Eight Years In Film
  • University Studio Engineer
  • Full-Time Music Producer
  • Intimate Studio Design
  • New Studio Lease
  • Parenting Five Children
  • Artist Relationship Building
  • Financial Discipline Strategy
  • Wellington Music Challenges
  • Safe Space For Artists
  • Staying In New Zealand
  • Stories Of Perseverance

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: A Brainstorm

Credits:

  • Guest: Toby Lloyd
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #555 Pierre de Reeder

WCA #555 with Pierre de Reeder – Rilo Kiley, LA Survival, 64 Sound, and A New Studio Business Model

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/musician Pierre de Reeder. Pierre owns and runs 64 Sound and is a member of the band Rilo Kiley.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Rilo Kiley
  • LA Survival
  • 64 Sound
  • Dave Trumfio
  • Recording on 8 Track Cassette
  • New Studio Business Model
  • Bonding with the Landlord
  • The Hunt

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Money Talk

Credits:

  • Guest: Pierre de Reeder
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #554 with Mark Pistel

WCA #554 with Mark Pistel – Sampler Revolution, Disposable Heroes, Consolidated, Union Work, and Adapting to Industry Changes

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Mark Pistel. His extensive credits include influential work with Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Consolidated, as well as notable collaborations with artists such as Meat Beat Manifesto, Grace Jones, Hercules and Love Affair, Chuck Prophet, Rykarda Parasol, Machines of Loving Grace, Holly Herndon, Los Mocosos, and many others.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Growing up in Duluth
  • Vibrant San Francisco Scene
  • Sampler Revolution
  • Disposable Heroes Album Production
  • Jack Dangers
  • Adapting to Industry Changes
  • Union Work

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Differences

Credits:

  • Guest: Mark Pistel
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #553 with Stefan Bock

WCA #553 with Stefan Bock – Being Too Early, Inventions, Immersive Audio, Pure Audio Streaming, and the Value of Good Acoustics Spaces

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer & Producer Stefan Bock. His credits include productions for Peter Maffay, Herbert Grönemeyer, Sarah Brightman, Yello, 2L, Berliner Philharmoniker and Deutsche Grammophon.

Due to his expertise in the field of immersive audio, Stefan Bock is a renown speaker at international congresses, including those of the Audio Engineering Society and the Association of German Sound Engineers. He is also a regular lecturer at the ARD.ZDF Medienakademie.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Being Too Early
  • Inventions
  • Immersive Audio
  • Pure Audio Streaming
  • MSM Studios
  • The Beauty of Niche
  • Good Acoustics

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Nerd Groups

Credits:

  • Guest: Stefan Bock
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

VIdeo Interview

WCA #552 with Daniel Holter

WCA #552 with Daniel Holter – Studio Aesthetics, Hospitality, Presentation, Relationships, and Cashflow

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, mixer, composer and songwriter Daniel Holter. Daniel first appeared in 2018 on WCA Episode #179. Over the years, Daniel has mixed music by artists such as Nick Lowe, Field Report, Over The Rhine, Amos Lee, Blitzen Trapper, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Phil Keaggy, Crowded House, Dead Horses, WebsterX, and Ryan Higa. He’s also composed and/or produced thousands of cues currently being used by such varied clients as Apple, Nike, Google, Microsoft, GM & Gatorade, virtually all of the top shows on HBO, ESPN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and all across the globe in tv, radio, advertisements, video games and film.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Studio Aesthetics
  • Hospitality
  • Making Artists Feel at Home
  • THUD Studios
  • Relationships
  • Cashflow
  • Seattle
  • Family Business
  • Candles

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: The Curse

Credits:

  • Guest: Daniel Holter
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

Studio Tour

WCA #551 with Dane Giordano

WCA #551 with Dane Giordano – Sun Studio, Steve Albini’s Kindness, Financial Discipline, and Diversifying Services

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer and Composer Dane Giordano who has engineered artists for Warner, Sony and Universal Music Group. Dane has composed music for Film, Video Games, Television and more! He is also one of the House Engineers at Young Avenue Sound & Sun Studio.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • First Studio Experience
  • Touring Survival Methods
  • Bad Engineer Experiences
  • Positive Studio Experiences
  • Flat Rates
  • Engineering Transition
  • Sun Studio
  • Electrical Audio Internship
  • Steve Albini’s Kindness
  • Professional Studio Habits
  • Embrace Beginner Mindset
  • Clients By Word-Of-Mouth
  • Financial Discipline
  • Diversifying Services

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Session Documentation in the 21st Century

Credits:

  • Guest: Dane Giordano
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #550 with Justin Francis

WCA #550 with Justin Francis – Remote Studio Benefits, Nashville Efficiency, Beyond Music Row, and Navigating Payment Ethics

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy WInning Producer/engineer/mixer, Justin Francis who has worked alongside artists like Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr, Sarah Jarosz and Lauren Daigle.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Early Music Passion
  • Audio Production Path
  • Studio Immersion
  • Formal Audio Training
  • Nashville Career Growth
  • Efficient Studio Culture
  • Navigating Payment Ethics
  • Community Client Insights
  • Nashville’s “Clicky” Nature
  • Remote Studio Benefits
  • Beyond Music Row

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Simplification

Credits:

  • Guest: Justin Francis
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #549 with Ian Shepherd

WCA #549 with Ian Shepherd – Mastering Democratized, AI, Physical or Virtual Gear, and Empty Nests

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer and host of The Mastering Show, Ian Shepherd. They dive into the current state of mastering, AI’s growing role, work/life balance, and in-the-box vs. out-of-the-box mastering.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Companion podcast episode
  • Advances in mastering technology
  • The rise of AI mastering
  • Shift toward releasing singles
  • Impact of social media
  • Mastering now democratized
  • Lower barrier to entry
  • AI lacks human context
  • AI results often bland/generic
  • Humans provide taste and nuance
  • Networking challenges in rural areas
  • Technology removes many practical limits
  • Career hasn’t suffered despite changes
  • Facing an empty nest soon
  • Focus on intentional, joyful work
  • Known as the “loudness guy”

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Building Things

Credits:

  • Guest: Ian Shepherd
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #548 with Dan Malsch

WCA #548 with Dan Malsch – Touring Guitarist to Full-Time Engineer, Building a Studio Career, Mixing Ghost, Working with Andy Wallace, and Running a Successful Studio Outside the Big Cities

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer and mixer Dan Malsch to discuss his journey from guitarist to studio owner, working with bands like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold, building studios with his own hands, and maintaining a no-ego approach to recording at the highest level.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Dan Malsch’s Journey From Guitarist to Music Producer

  • Explore how Dan transitioned from touring with his metal band Wicked Mariah to becoming a full-time producer and mix engineer.

Building and Running a Professional Recording Studio

  • Learn how Dan used his construction background to build a world-class recording studio in the Poconos from the ground up.

Working With Major Artists Like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold

  • Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with chart-topping rock and metal bands including Ghost, Avenged Sevenfold, and Gojira.

Mixing in Dolby Atmos

  • Get insight into how Dan created an Atmos mix room in two weeks and how he mixed Ghost’s Impera and Skeletor albums in Dolby Atmos.

Collaborating With Legendary Mixer Andy Wallace

  • Hear how a chance meeting led to a close working relationship with Andy Wallace and how that partnership elevated Dan’s career.

Running a Successful Studio in a Secondary Market

  • Discover how Dan attracts big-name clients to his Pennsylvania studio without being based in LA, Nashville, or New York.

How to Maintain Long-Term Clients as a Music Producer

  • Dan discusses how professionalism, personal communication, and trust help him retain high-profile clients year after year.

Balancing Studio Life and Family Life

  • Hear how Dan prioritized being present for his family while running a busy studio and raising two kids.

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Persistence

Credits:

  • Guest: Dan Malsch
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #547 with Lij Shaw

WCA #547 with Lij Shaw – Friendship, Communication, Collaboration, Mixing, and Time Management

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, engineer, songwriter and host of Recording Studio Rockstars Lij Shaw.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Friendship & Communication
  • Studio & Workspace
  • Costa Rica Trip
  • Music & Production
  • Collaboration & Mixing
  • Identity & Roles
  • Time Management

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Barriers

Credits:

  • Guest: Lij Shaw
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #546 with Elad Marish

WCA #546 with Elad Marish –Surf Culture, The Magic of KISS, Guitar Obsession, Post Production Powerhouse, and The Growth of Swell

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Elad Marish, Founder and producer at Swell Music + Sound, a leading creative audio agency based in San Francisco. Elad and his team at Swell have brought music, sound design, and audio branding to high-profile clients including Apple, Nike, Google, and Uber, working on everything from global ad campaigns to immersive brand experiences.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • The Magic of KISS
  • Wearing Out Record Needles
  • Hating Piano
  • Surf Culture
  • Guitar Obsession
  • Early Parenthood
  • Painful Band Experiences
  • Post Production Powerhouse
  • Growing Swell Sound
  • Navigating COVID
  • Staying Lean

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Getting Some Space

Credits:

  • Guest: Elad Marish
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #545 with Howie Beck

WCA #545 with Howie Beck – Musician to Producer, 4 Tracks to Pro Tools, Independence, Polishing Turds, and Saving the Day

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Howie Beck who is a multi Juno nominated Mixer, Producer and musician located in Toronto who has mixed or produced music by artists as diverse as Feist, Charlotte Day Wilson, Barenaked Ladies, Chilly Gonzales, Ron Sexsmith, and the Weather Station amongst many more.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Musician to Producer
  • 4 Tracks to Pro Tools
  • Challenges & Rewards of Audio Production
  • Polishing Turds
  • Smart Financial Decisions
  • Health Care Challenges
  • Problems with Apple and ATMOS
  • Independence to Set Schedule
  • Saving the Day

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Small Chunks

Credits:

  • Guest: Howie Beck
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #544 with Benedikt Hain

WCA #544 with Benedikt Hain – Helping Bands Record Better, Mixing in Bavaria, Revisions, and Client Filter

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixing engineer and podcaster Benedikt Hain. Benedikt discussed his journey from growing up in Bavaria to becoming a full-time mixing engineer and running a studio called Outback Recordings . Benedikt has worked with with bands like Pulley and Swallow’s Rose and labels like Warner Music and SBÄM Records. 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • • Remote Mixing In Bavaria
  • • Mindset and Songwriting
  • • Exclusive Focus on Mixing
  • • Client Revisions
  • • Mixing Heavy Rock
  • • Lessons Learned From His Podcast
  • • Client Filter

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Enjoying the Journey

Credits:

  • Guest: Benedikt Hain
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #543 with Sarah Register

WCA #543 with Sarah Register –Mastering, 10,000 Hours at Once, NYC & The Nervous System, Avant Garde, and PLaying with Kim Gordon

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Mastering engineer, Composer, and Guitarist Sarah Register. Her mastering clients include Faye Webster, Channel Tres, Jeffrey Lewis, Alice Longyu Gao, Lee “Scratch” Perry, S.G. Goodman, Wye Oak and many more.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Identity & Balance
  • Avant Garde
  • Egoic Attachment to Past Methods
  • Health and Sanity
  • NYC & The Nervous System
  • 10,000 Hours at Once
  • Playing with Kim Gordon
  • Touring
  • Mastering In The Box
  • Being Flexible on Rate

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: The Battle for Organization

Credits:

  • Guest: Sarah Register
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #542 with Emre Ramazanoglu

WCA #542 with Emre Ramazanoglu – ATMOS For Brian Eno, Session Drumming, Fashion Shows, Family Balance, and ADHD

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, mixer, drummer, and composer Emre Ramazanoglu who has worked on projects for Brian Eno, David Bowie, Noel Gallagher Nova Twins and many more.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • ATMOS for Brian Eno
  • Ziggy Stardust. & Ken Scott
  • Playing on Pillows
  • Mimicking Reverb
  • Fashion Shows
  • Session Drumming
  • Giving a Shit
  • ATMOS Success
  • Apple Issues
  • Dolby Curve
  • Know Your Worth
  • Family Balance
  • ADHD

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Embrace the Unpredictable

Credits:

  • Guest: (Current Guest)
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview