Josaka - Berkshire live music, indie record label, gig promoter

A producers view

Posted: Mon, 25 May 2009

A look through the ears and eyes of Reading-based producer Adam Whittaker as he tries to work out exactly what it is that he does...

Ever noticed in Flight of the Conchords how they are *amazing* in the fantasy video sequences, and totally dire playing as a duo at the aquarium?

That's you that is.

I'm half joking, of course as there are a lot of fantastically talented bands around, many of who have a pretty damn good idea of what they are doing and how they should be doing it. Then again, if you've ever been in a band thinking how brilliant you are, then left - you may notice how crap your former band is all of a sudden. Not out of bitterness, no. In hindsight, of course!

The same happens with people's recordings. The main thing here is music is subjective. When it comes to records, one persons overproduced is anothers underproduced, and bands are a tricky bunch at best, hence the value of a producer.

In theory a producer provides an objective set of ears and opinions in a very tight closed shop...i.e...your band. In dance, hip-hop, and sometimes pop he may well have written the song too - but we're talking in the rock and roll sense here. A producer can short circuit a lot of the mistakes you're likely to make as he has made them (likely) or seen them before. He has no previous bias towards a particular band members feelings about their parts in isolation, for example that 'brilliant' guitar solo that really needs to go, or has any problem hacking off a minute of your tune as he knows it'll never get to radio otherwise. This and fretting over a million other details pointless to normal, sane people. And sometimes...just leaving things alone.

He probably schmoozes with sleazy radio guys, and evil A and R weasels who would brutally chop your baby (song!) to bits to make it comercially viable and/or turn it off less than 60 seconds into listening to it in the first place. He hates this, and loves it: this battle; because he probably believes in music, which is why he's here in the first place. It's not always about how cool your track sounds or how clever it is. But it might be. It's always a different job!

How do you get to be a producer? Well...you may spend a lot of years making records until you feel that you want to participate in a different way to the process and have the confidence to do so or you may declare like the mighty Oz that you simply are one. Or you might just be in the right place at the right time, or just a band member left holding the baby.

I've worked with enough big guys now to understand that it varies wildly what they do for you, the mysteries, the vagueries and sometimes jaw dropping talent they bring to the table. You'd be surprised, I tell you. But then they'd sue me.

Personally I'm not that fussed anymore what hat I wear. I've engineered, produced, mixed, edited to death, whatever. If I produce, then great, if not fine. My favourite is producing with the band itself or mixing. Either way, I'd like to get paid, even if its not a fortune. Paid, Adam?! Oh God yes, as you know what? Otherwise I'd be doing something crappy and not getting better at making records year on year. It's called becoming a professional, the only harder thing than that being *staying* a professional in this day and age, and it is the same for bands.

Anyway. This town's full of talent and potential and I'd love to be more involved. Send me a message if you're interested. In the meantime, I'm going to hassle Jimbo and see if he'll let me write for you again, so maybe I'll see you soon!

By Adam Whittaker

Biography

Adam started his career in America as a guitar wielding rock and roll animal, quickly moving to the other side of the glass, producing breaking UK indie artists such as The Rakes, Kate Nash and The Xcerts and engineering for artists such as Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Doves, Starsailor, Julian Cope and The Damned.

He recently mixed a number 1 single for Irish supergroup The Saw Doctors and is currently working on their new album.

His current focus is offering an affordable online based mixing service to all from his mix room in Reading.