Times, They Are a Changin’

Sorry about the last teaser post, but I wanted to firm things up and have a few more phone calls before I posted anything.

I had some very exciting new’s last week. I got a text from a friend who I attended college with. After we graduated he managed to land a job with one of our instructors, Darius Szczepaniak. Before I say anything else let me say that Darius or “D” is one of the nicest and most honest dudes I’ve met anywhere, let alone working in the audio industry. From day one I identified with him and we came to be as close to friends as is possible in a professor/student role. D really is a stellar guy, a man of character and honesty who has never steered me wrong. I’ve often gotten his advice when purchasing new gear, and his input has largely helped to shape the construction of Feedback Audio, my own recording studio and audiuo production company. I’ve also frequently picked his brain while working on various projects and he’s never hesitated to take time out of his busy day to help answer my questions and help me deliver a great audio product. He is an all around down to earth nice dude.

Now that I’ve painted a picture let me tell you some other things about D, he’s no lightweight in the Canadian music scene. He’s produced and engineered among many, many others Big Sugar, Sum 41, and Edwin. But I would encourage you to think about his credits last, he is very accomplished, but it’s easy to get blinded by that. Above all that he’s a really cool guy.

My buddy that found work with him (Alex) has been very, very fortunate. There’s a few others who work at the same studio that I also admire, one being Steve Bedford, another great friend and very accomplished mastering engineer. We are all in touch with each other periodically so when I heard they were wondering how I was doing I couldn’t wait to give them a call. After a few turns of telephone tag I ended up grabbing D on the phone. After a few minutes of chatting he said something that I totally wasn’t expecting. He offered me some work in his studio down in Toronto! The studio is called “Rouge Valley” and they sport a full on SSL recording console. I was very excited, of course! 

Because I already have a full time employer who has been very good to me and who has invested a lot in me I need to be loyal to him first, but between everyone we were able to work out that I can make myself available for sessions with Darius whenever I need to! I’m of course very excited (and a little nervous) to start and I see it as an amazing opportunity, but more than that I’m just looking forward to seeing everyone again. I miss those dudes, and I miss being around like minded professionals all the time. Barrie is a pretty isolated professional community for the audio engineer. Despite my nervousness I know that I’ll give 110%, I love what I do and I’m confident that things will happen just fine. Darius still teaches at the college, and I was touched to find out that despite all the students that have rolled through there since I graduated I was the person he called. I definitely had a big smile. Things are still unfolding at this point, but I’ll keep you updated as they do! Can’t wait to chill with D, Steve and Alex again!

~ by justinpiercy on March 17, 2009.