1. First, how long have you been involved in music?

I've been actively involved for 15 years...I feel old saying that.

2. When did you decide that you wanted to be an Engineer?

My junior year in high school I started interning at a studio in Dallas, TX...enjoyed it and kept at it. I'm a classically trained piano player, so I was always very musical, and being in the studio environment was very comfortable for me.

3. Which studio was that?

The studio was called Planet Dallas...in Dallas. A little confusing. My first gig was cutting together dance routines on Pro Tools 3 for potential Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders... As a 15 year old, best gig ever.

4. Where did you attend to learn/study Engineering?

I learned a lot from just doing it while I was interning. I went to Full Sail in Florida as well because, at the time, they were the only place offering an accredited degree which my parents wanted me to have.

5. What is the average day like working in a studio?

Depends on the band, and day... Starting a session you're usually dealing with drums and getting a main take to work off of. You're paying attention to BPMs, key's of songs, song structure...that kind of stuff. Overdubs are very tedious, but that's the deal. You have to take a close magnifying glass to that stuff. Vocals you're paying attention to phrasing, and pitch of course...and lyrics.

6. What tasks does an engineer have to accomplish in an average session?

The job has changed a bit with digital recording. Now you are expected to comp together parts a lot more quickly, and perfectly. With tape, there were limitations to what you could do as far as that. As long as everybody's happy at the end of a session I did my job.

7. Are you working "Freelance" or "In-House"?

I'm a freelance engineer/producer/composer. I obviously do a lot of work with Mark (Hoppus) and Travis (Barker), but I have a bunch of clients that I deal with too.

8. Analog or Digital recording? What do you prefer?

Tough question. I love things about both. Digital is great for manipulating audio, but can leave musicians a little lazy. Tape is great as long as the band is able to execute their parts. Also, you'd be surprised what you can get away with tape editing.

9. What will we see next from They Only Want?

T.O.W. is really an outlet for me to do my own thing without worrying about anything I usually would as an engineer on somebody else's record. The response of the first record was so great, and unexpected. It's really cool. I'm aiming to have another record out by the end of the year. Right now it's not as dark as the first one, and has a wide variety of instrumentation.. There's a few tracks that are traditional drums, bass, guitar...and there are some that are an orchestra playing with a gang of synths.

10. What was your first "Big Break"?

My first big break was during the first Audioslave record. I was a runner at Cello Studios, and they basically ran out of people to work on sessions. I got thrown into that record, which was INTENSE, and I floated. There were 150 reels of 2-inch tape to keep track of, so it was a lot of work.

11. How were you first set up with artists like: Mark Hoppus and Red Hot Chili Peppers?

Hoppus I met from a mutual friend that couldn't work with him and Travis due to a scheduling conflict. I met them on day 1 of pre-production for +44 in Trav's basement. RHCP I knew from dealing with Rick Rubin on several of his projects. I've been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of his records, which is awesome.

12. What projects are you currently working on?

Blink-182 is the big one right now. Just finished working on a smaller project from a band called Hypo Twins that kicks ass, and also a little bit on the new 30 Seconds to Mars.

13. What role will you play on the anticipated Blink-182 album?

Stuff with Blink I can't really talk about yet. Sorry.

14. Any ambitions?

I'd like to become a better golfer.

15. What advice would you give to someone about to enter the music industry?

Be ready to stay awake long hours, and know a lot, but not be able to show it right away. Being good at people management is a must...and know when to talk.

16. Finally, If you could work with any artist right now, who would it be?

I'd love to work with Aphex Twin (electronic artist)..and I'd love to do more music for movies, and TV shows...which is in the works...and Motion City Soundtrack...their demos sounds amazing.

17. Any TV or movie projects currently in the works?

The TV/Movie stuff is in the works, and I can't give away details of shows coming out. Sorry again.

M.L.

A MikeLipnowski.com Exclusive!

On tour with +44 in Utah

Hard at work in the studio

I remember my first year of University like it was yesterday. I was fresh out of high school and excited to start the next chapter of my life. I experienced a new environment, a workflow I was unprepared for and worst of all, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I can honestly say that at that point in my life, I was terrified. With my first year finished, I took time off from life to figure it all out. One day it came to me, when I knew what I was going to do. Music had been the constant in my life since I was 4-years old. There was only one remaining question: “How can I make music my career?”  The answer was in front of me the whole time.

To stay in tune with new music and the industry, I subscribed to a popular music podcast created and hosted by former Blink-182 bassist and songwriter Mark Hoppus. HiMyNameIsMark would typically release a new “episode” every 2 – 3 weeks. These episodes consisted of Mark talking about his current projects, new music he had discovered and best of all, interviews with people working in his studio.

Featured most often on this podcast was an engineer/producer/composer named Chris Holmes. Chris has worked with some of the greatest artists in the industry: Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers, +44 and Neil Diamond, to name a few. In addition, he has a personal project called “They Only Want”. After hearing Chris on this podcast for many months and learning what he has accomplished, I developed a deep admiration for the work he has produced, and I was inspired. I left my old life behind, moved to London, and began studying everything I need to know to survive and thrive in the industry. While currently working on the highly anticipated Blink-182 album, Chris graciously took time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions.

Recording vocals with Jordan from New Found Glory

UPDATE: Thanks to www.182online.com and www.HiMyNameIsMark.com for spreading the word about the exclusive interview. Their support has brought this site thousands of views in over 50 countries.

(Photos Provided By Mark Hoppus)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010