How would you define your main role on most of the projects you work on at the moment?
Mixer
Please tell us a bit about your musical background. How did you get started in the music industry? What was your pathway to your current role?
I kind of stumbled into music to be honest. I was messing up at school but was good at music and maths. When I had the opportunity to go to university, I just picked a music course that needed those subjects and away I went.
At uni, I looked for work experience and managed to get a position at Chapel Studios. I got good at making coffee and learnt that I definitely wanted to be behind the desk in the future.
After graduating I was a runner at metropolis – cleaning, making coffee and getting food for peanuts but getting the studio experience I wanted. Then after another few years as an assistant at a bunch of different studios, I became an engineer with Miloco. There I built good relationships with artists whilst I was recording and they started trusting me with mixing. Thats when I started phasing out the engineering and focussing more on mixing.
What or who inspired you to follow this path?
I think a big shift for me was being a mix assistant when I started working with an amazing mixer, Ruadhri Cushnan. I learnt a lot about mixing but I learnt a lot more from him about organisation, professionalism and delivering mixes. I think nowadays with the tools available, being an engineer is so accessible, but being dependable and professional is what can set you apart from others. Especially if you’re starting from the bottom and working up.
Are there any highlights from your work that you are particularly proud of?
Every project feels like a step forward for me so everything’s got a special place in my heart. But mixing Wizkid’s last album, Morayo, was a big one for me. I’ve been engineering for him and working with his team for years now. Being trusted with the mixing on the whole of the last album was a great feeling.
What’s one tip you can share with other MPG members that could help their workflow?
Don’t overthink things and less is more. Once it’s out in the world, no one’s gonna care what plugins you used, or how you got there, as long as it sounds right once it’s finished.
What’s one tip you would like an MPG member to share with you?
Right now, I’m trying to streamline how I run online mix sessions. I rely on Audio Movers a lot, but there must be better ways out there that don’t involve facetime and everyone scrambling to hit mute mic whenever I press play.
Do you have any words of wisdom for people wanting to get into a similar music production role to yours?
Don’t quit when it gets tough. It’s a long road to a sustainable career, but as long as you’re dependable and professional, it’s possible. Make friends, don’t rush forward and take the time to learn from others ahead of you. The more you can learn and the more contacts you make when you’re starting out, the better.
…A partner who pays the rent when you’re an unpaid runner also helps.
Check out Sam’s website: www.mixedbysamharper.com
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