The Problem with being a Pop-Rock Band Today
Today’s music scene is complex for a pop-rock band....
Between balancing schedules, finding gigs, booking gigs, making the content, editing the content, posting the content, locating rehearsal space, load-in, set up, and tear down…
You might find some time to actually do what you love and make music.
And even when you do, on your way home, voice hoarse from shouting over the drums, amps still ringing in your ears, the questions roll in:
“Is anyone even listening?”
“Should we record again?”
“How often do we need to release music?”
“Are there really 60,000 new songs released on Spotify every day?”
“Can we do something unique enough to stand out?”
“How do we get to the next level?”
“How will we ever be able to pay all of us?”
“HOW DO THEY MAKE IT SOUND SO GOOD?”
These challenges and questions are enough to stop your band in its tracks (see what I did there?).
And, it can be easy to end up with a record that lacks life, doesn’t sound like you, and never builds your band the momentum it needs.
I help Independent Pop-Rock Bands:
Choose a direction and niche for their musical journey,
Strategize how to get where they want to go,
And create fully produced radio ready records with a signature sound they love.
You and your bandmates won’t have to sit on top of each other in a pile of cables in order to record. My recording studio is a high quality, acoustically designed space, ready to record up to 7 people all at once with plenty of room.
You’ll walk away with top quality vocals because I bring 19 years of experience in vocal production and coaching the very best performances out of singers of all experience levels and arranging vocal parts that sell the song.
I pride myself on making my sessions an information rich environment that helps you learn about your own creative process and how to make it work for you. You can take that with you into the studio again and again, making your process more and more efficient and seamless.
Our goal in working together, won't JUST be about recording.
You’ll get a step-by-step process for gaining the mindset and insights you need to take the next steps in your musical journey.
Not only will you walk away with records and a sound you’re proud of, you’ll have a plan for how to use them.
You’ll be able to create more opportunities for you and your band.
Collaborations, sponsorships, gigs, the sheer joy of performance, or the cheer of a crowd, no matter your goals you’ll be able to approach them with confidence.
No more aimless wondering about the possibilities. No more shots in the dark. No more analysis paralysis. I’ve seen my process work again and again and I want it to work for you.
The Northgate 5-step Production Process
Step 1: The Plan
This is the most overlooked and under-appreicated part of record production. Understanding where you want to go is the first step to figuring out how to get there. Here’s what we cover:
You’ll find out who you are as musicians and how music speaks to you (so that you can better write songs you love)
You’ll discover who your fans might be and how music speaks to them (so you can better write songs they love.)
You’ll be choosing a pop/rock niche that you can be passionate about. (so you can stand out and keep your fans playing your songs.)
You’ll design a signature sound that you love to create with, listen to, and perform (so you can stand out and keep creating great music.)
Deciding on your goals, and how your records can work for you (so you know what you’re aiming for.)
Step 2: The Recording
At the end of the planning meeting we’ll set some dates to get tracks recorded. This process is streamlined, efficient, and fun. We work hard to avoid the “studio drudge” and just make great music. Along with getting great takes you’ll learn:
How to listen critically to the parts you’ve written for each player and evaluate its effectiveness in serving the song
Learn what to listen for in a take, what’s useful, and what’s not.
How to create energetic, emotionally driven takes
Step 3: The Production
Once the tones have been dialed in and basic tracks have been recorded, we’ll put our creative minds together and ask the question:
“What else can we do to serve this song?” This is where we dive further into the art of making a record. You’ll learn about:
Building a record based on a pre-defined goal
Designing custom sounds with purpose
How your sound intersects with emotion
Step 4: The Vocals
The vocals of any pop/rock record deserve special attention and care because they are the mouthpiece of the message you’re sending. In this step we’ll cover:
Crafting a lead vocal take that powerfully communicates your song
How backgrounds and doubles can support your lead
Thought processes behind writing vocal lines, choosing notes, vocal technique, and vocal delivery
Step 5: The Post-Production
This step is where Northgate takes the wheel and polishes everything up into a powerful final product.
Every track in each song will be carefully edited and cleaned up by hand, mixed to serve the song, revised based on your feedback, and mastered in a top-quality mastering facility. You’ll Get:
Unlimited mix revisions
Alternate mixes printed to your specifications
Final masters delivered straight to your inbox
Top to Bottom
Production
To be a pop-rock band in today’s music industry, you need a repeatable, reliable, efficient process for creating, releasing, and maintaining your records.
It needs to be repeatable, because releasing music is your primary way of communicating with the world and delighting your fans.
It needs to be reliable, because it needs to create quality whether or not inspiration has struck at the right times.
And it needs to be efficient, because efficiency creates the positive feedback loop that keeps you in the mood to keep moving forward.
That’s what I seek to create for each band that comes through the door. Not through cookie-cutter methods, but through understanding your unique goals, experience, and creative work you’ve already done…
And then adapting my process to fit what you need. I’ll add what I know how to do, and together we’ll use that information to build a sound and make records that you can be proud of.
We’ll record them in a comfortable, spacious, studio. And we’ll serve each song to the fullest with carefully crafted instrument production, vocal production, mixing, and mastering.
You’ll go from demos to spotify releases in a single decision.
How about Reaching 300k monthly listeners on spotify?
At Northgate, I don’t work with anyone without answering this question: why do you want to record?
Once we do, I do everything I can to demystify the process with clear steps that lead to a radio ready record. A record that can put you on the path to reaching your goal.
Would you like to see your band’s name on the Billboard Charts? How about reaching over 300k monthly listeners on Spotify? Sync licensing on network TV?
Or maybe you just want the fulfillment and validation that comes from creating a recording that resonates and communicates. These are all things that clients of mine have been able to accomplish with the records we’ve made.
No matter your experience level, I’ve got you covered…I have extensive experience working with first-timers in the studio, which means I’ve seen and heard it all.
I’ve maintained relationships for years with educational organizations like The Real School of Music, NE Voices, and the Contemporary A Cappella Society, because I’m passionate about passing on what I’ve learned. I bring this passion to every project so that you won’t just walk away with a record, but extremely valuable information and experiences.
When you call most studios the size of mine, they’ll tell you the rate to rent out one of their rooms, and then they’ll tell you how much a producer/engineer costs.
Northgate Studio is my space. If you hire me to produce your record, I can work with you wherever you want, but I’ve got a world class live room and great gear with plenty of space that comes with me.
To top it off, I’ve worked as a vocal producer for the past 19 years. I’ve had singers of all backgrounds and ability levels behind the mic, and I bring all of that experience to producing radio ready vocals that sell the song.
Book A session
432 North Road
Bedford, MA
Contact Tim
Interested in booking a session? Fill out the form and Tim will get back to you shortly about setting up some studio time.
Want to talk first? Feel free to call Tim at 781.718.3600. You’ll get him if he’s not in a session. You can also book a time on Tim’s Calendly page here