1. When you think "Seattle Music" what band/song do you think of?
First thing that popped into my head: Posse on Broadway
2. If you did a karaoke version of "Hunger Strike" would you pick the Vedder or Cornell part?
The truth is, I would probably be laughing too hard to sing and my karaoke-talented wife would end up rocking both parts.
3. Favorite Seattle hideout/hangout spot?
Well, Studio Nels is really my hideout spot. When I need a fresh perspective, the sculpture park. If coffee and pastries need to be involved, the back patio at Honore Bakery.
4. Favorite record store?
I feel super lucky that I live in a neighborhood where you have Sonic Boom across the street from Bop Street and up the way you've got Beats and Bohos. I do my best to support all of them. (Also, Goodwill is totally a record store in my book.)
5. Tell us about Studio Nels? How long have you been producing albums there?
My studio partner, Robb Davidson, has had a great mix room in Pioneer Square for 12 years. He and I have worked on music together there for a long time. Then, in 2009 we started the expansion. The mix room became the main control room. We built a second control room, a nice sized tracking room and two ISO booths. The doors opened on Studio Nels in 2010. We've been constantly making music ever since.
It's my home base. I've got my control room that's pretty decked out with vintage keys and synths and guitars and drum machines and pump organs. It's the music playground. Then Robb's control room is where the serious business takes place; a full console, great outboard gear, nice monitoring. Having these two rooms makes Nels a unique place for artists to work. It feels more like a creative space that just happens to be able to make nice sounding recordings.
6. You recently produced the EP release for KAIROS, aka Lena Simon, or as we like to call her "the busiest musician in Seattle". We love the EP big time, how did your involvement come about?
Well, thank you. I'm happy to hear you like the EP.
To say Lena's record came about organically is an understatement. I met Lena when she was 19. I was still actively touring with Throw Me The Statue and Studio Nels was just being finished. I worked on one of her early musical endeavors. We all had a great time together. Then she started talking about this other project she was involved with, Pollens. That was a really great project to work on. I hired her to play Drums and Guitar on a record I was making with the talented, Dawn Clement.
Here and there Lena and I started recording demos and ideas for what might be a solo project. It took some time. But, by the time summer 2012 came around we were looking at a nice pile of songs and carved out a big part of the summer to focus on Lena-Time. By the time we were done mixing with Robb KAIROS emerged.
Lena and I just have a great time making music together.
(Listen to the album here)
7. You've also recently worked with local artists like Pillar Point and Katie Kate. What attracted you to each of those projects/artists?
Well, those two projects came about in very different ways. But, generally, I carefully select which projects to take on. Making records, especially the way we do it, is hard work. Wonderful hard work. But, so much energy and soul goes into the process you have to completely believe in the artist and the material.
It's difficult to be specific about what attracts me to a particular artist. It really comes down to the basics: Does this artist have something to say? Can they say it in a unique way? Can I help them reach that vision successfully? From there it's just a gut thing.
8. Seeing as how you're involved in some of our favorite recent local releases, are there any other projects coming up we should be on the lookout for?
I've got a couple things in the hopper that I'm not allowed to talk about yet. But, one album that's finished that I'm really excited about is the Rik Rude (from Fresh Espresso) Debut solo LP. Rik and I worked very closely on this and we collaborated with the great Raised Byy Wolves. I can't wait for folks to hear this one.
Since you're a producer we'd love to get some quick picks from you:
Favorite album of 2014 so far: Shabazz Palaces
First Seattle show you ever saw and where? I vaguely remember seeing some all ages show at the old Croc. I do remember being very excited to be in that place where so much history happened.
Weirdest instrument or sample used in a project? Yikes! This one could get me in legal trouble. I think people would be pretty surprised the places I've tucked a 90s r&b sample where it doesn't belong.
What was your first instrument? Piano.
What album have you bought more than once? That's become a pretty long list since I've been collecting all my favorite albums on vinyl. But, the album I've bought the most times is probably Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation. I had it on cassette when it came out, then CD, then vinyl and just recently cassette again. And for the record, if I came across it on vinyl I'd buy it one more time!
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Keep up with Charlie on Twitter via @CharlieSmithNOW
Catch KAIROS live at Barboza w/ KA on 6/29!
