Working Class Audio

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/mixer and archivist, Phillip Broussard who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot, System of a Down, and many more

• Texas upbringing
• Jobs in Gulf Coast refineries
• First studio internships in Austin
• Houston and Austin
• Kingsway Studio in New Orleans
• Prioritizing vibe over gear
• Relocating to Los Angeles
• Managing Teatro in Oxnard
• Collaboration with Rick Rubin
• Handling limited recording budgets
• Skills in reading the room
• Balancing career and family life
• Negotiating rates and invoicing
• Audio archiving and session restoration
• Networking to find new music

• Phillip's Site
• Trina Shoemaker on WCA
• Dave Schiffman on WCA

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcome musician/songwriter/producer/engineer Mitch Easter known for his work on the early R.E.M. records as well as his work with the db's, Game Theory, and Marshal Crenshaw as well as his own band Let's Active.

• Background and Upbringing
• Early Interest in Recording
• Drive-In Studio
• Fidelatorium Recordings
• Balancing Multiple Roles
• Collaboration with Don Dixon
• The Music Industry and the Indie Ecosystem
• Influences and Inspirations
• Views on Retirement

• YouTube version
• Mitch's Site

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer/mixer Joe Costa who has worked with Ben Folds. Sara Bareilles, William Shatner and many more.

• Ordering Lunch with William (Bill) Shatner
• Working with Ben Folds
• Mixing from Home
• Moving to Nashville
• Berklee School of Music
• Reading the Room

• Joe On Instagram @costa71
• Watch the Interview on YouTube

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

Producer, engineer, artist, and professor Willie Green returns to WCA to chat with Matt about about his new studio adventure and much more! Willie has worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa.

1. The Green House Expands!
2. Physical Media
3. Marketing Strategies for Creative Spaces
4. Daily Patterns and Balancing Responsibilities
5. Adapting to Client Needs and Studio Management
6. Business Strategy
7. Innovation

1. Willie Green’s Website

1. Guest: Willie Green
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

This is part 2 of a discussion Matt had with multi-platinum mixer and engineer Richard Chycki whose clients include such rock royalty as Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Skillet, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, Pink and many more.

• Management
• Networking: Building Relationships for Success
• Cultural Transition: From Canada to the U.S. Music Scene
• The Rush Connection: Networking and Opportunities
• Navigating the World of Immersive Audio Technologies
• Future Plans and Networking in Nashville

• Part 1 Interview
• Rich's Site

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixing engineer, producer and composerJade Alysse Berry, whose path to mixing was sparked by a life‑changing health event and a deep love for music. Jade shares practical insights on creativity, collaboration, and setting clear boundaries with clients.

1. How a health crisis redirected Jade’s career toward audio engineering
2. Challenges and politics of the music industry
3. Collaborative dynamics with partner Bob Horn
4. The creative process of mixing
5. Setting boundaries
6. Understanding client expectations
7. Effective communication

1. Jade on Instagram

1. Guest: Jade Alysse Berry
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

Matt is joined by grammy winning engineer Tom Camuso who has worked with Lenny Kravitz, Blondie, Steve Earl as well as a number of commercial, television and film projects. Tom is also the Chief Engineer at The Les Paul Recording Studio in Holly wood.

• Preserving Les Paul's Legacy
• Los Angeles vs. New York
• Cracking the Preservation Code
• Weather
• Education
• Library of Congress

• Tom's Site
• Les Paul Studio

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

Matt is joined by multi-platinum mixer and engineer Richard Chycki whose clients include such rock royalty as Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Skillet, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, Pink and many more.

NAMM Experience

• Current State of Immersive Audio
• Moving to Nashville: Reasons and Plans
• Early Musical Journey and Transition to Engineering
• The Shift from Musician to Engineer
• Adapting to Technological Changes in Audio
• The Future of Atmos and Immersive Audio
• Artist Reactions to Immersive Mixing
• The Evolution of Atmos Technology
• Learning from Major Artists
• Navigating the Music Industry
• Financial Strategies in Music Production
• The Importance of Networking
• Mixing Classic Records in Atmos

• Rich's Site

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

Matt welcomes Grammy Nominated producer /engineer/mixer Joel Weldon Willis.

1. Building a Home Studio
2. Early Experiences in Music Production
3. Transitioning to Freelance and Indie Music Scene
4. Creative Approaches to Music Production
5. Navigating Financial Challenges in the Studio
6. Recording Techniques and Live Sessions
7. Lessons Learned in the Studio
8. Freelancing and Renting Studio Spaces
9. Community and Collaboration in Music Production
10. Balancing Promotion and Authenticity
11. The Impact of Grammy Nominations
12. Adapting to Client Needs and Communication
13. Remote Mixing
14. Handling Criticism and Professional Growth
15. The Importance of Collaboration Over Competition

1. Joel's Site

1. Guest: Joel Weldon WIllis
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

Matt welcomes Producer /engineer/mixer and film composer Sanford Parker. As an artist he’s performed and released albums with extreme heavy and industrial bands like Black Cross Hotel, Corrections House, Mirrors for Psychic Warfare and Minsk. Throughout the years he’s collaborated with members of Sonic Youth, Ministry, Napalm Death and Neurosis as well as producing and mixing albums for Darkthrone, Voivod, Brutal Truth, Pelican, YOB, Hide, Youth Code, Wovenhand, Rwake, Local H and many others.

Takeaways

1. Sanford opened his studio in March 2020, just before the pandemic.
2. He prefers working with independent artists and punk music.
3. Chicago's music scene is affordable compared to other major cities.
4. Managing overhead is crucial for running a successful studio.
5. Sanford transitioned to mixing in the box for efficiency.
6. He values genuine relationships with artists over bureaucracy.
7. The pandemic shifted his work focus back to mixing.
8. The flexibility of working remotely with clients.
9. Learning to navigate financial discussions with bands.
10. Independent music often allows for quicker decision-making.

1. Sanford's Site

1. Guest: Sanford Parker
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith