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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