We recently connected with Andrew Dixon and have shared our conversation below.

Andrew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a music producer and mixing engineer that helps artists either create or shape their music to sound how they imagine it to be in their heads.

This can look different in many scenarios, but to put it simply, I have become a go-to person for musicians, composers, & filmmakers seeking help in areas that they’re struggling with when it comes to audio & music. For some people, they are talented singers who need help creating an attention-grabbing foundation for them to sing on and showcase their talent. For others, they need help on the tail-end of the process because they can’t quite get their music to sound how they can imagine it to be in their heads.

In all scenarios it’s a combination of creative and technical skills that are needed to get music from an initial idea to a finished product and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to any aspect of it. That’s what makes music creation and mixing so exciting to me, there are unlimited approaches you can take to finishing a song and you will never find two people with the exact same process. It’s structured and random all at the same time which can be both exciting and terrifying in every moment. It’s taken a long time to trust in the process of learning and experimenting, and I’m forced to remind myself all the time to trust in my instincts because it’s all that I have to guide me.

I got into this role from years of experimenting with my band “Soul Push”. My bandmates and I set out on a 10-year journey with no clue where it would lead, we were always just happy to be doing it. During this time we stumbled our way through making music, getting better as artists along the way while creating lifelong memories throughout the process. We recorded and performed music across the world at renowned venues and festivals, toured with established acts, and won many competitions – it became a large part of our identities. I became addicted to the craft and a bit obsessive about trying to get better at it. It’s disconcerting at times because, like I said before, there really is no “right way” of doing anything, and no clear path to success in any way. This makes it addictive for someone who has a motivated personality like myself, because I’m constantly on the hunt for new information that could unlock something to make me better at what I do. It also can be challenging because I find comfort in creating processes that I know deliver me results. So, it’s been a fun journey trying to incorporate that when I can while having trust in creative freedom and “magical” moments of inspiration.

There is a ridiculous amount of patience and discipline in what I do. I think many people in my scenario would have quit by now…it is mentally, emotionally, and financially taxing, and is a marathon not a sprint. But experience compounds in a beautiful way just like in any business, and the longer I commit to not giving up the easier and more rewarding things get. I think as of now I am just addicted to this feeling of being in pursuit. I’m constantly chasing a better version of myself, but in a healthy way that keeps me motivated. I constantly remind myself to enjoy each day that I get to do what I love and am constantly grateful to be surrounded by some of the most influential and forward thinking people. Creatives see the world in a way that feels so positive and it’s been such a treat to experience throughout my career.

Andrew, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

The most important thing I do regularly to show my appreciation for the artists I work with is prioritizing empathy and listening. Surprisingly, this is something that I’ve learned to be less common than you may think in my role as a music producer working with independent artists.

This industry can feel like the Wild West at the best of times. From the outside looking in, it may appear structured with a clear path to success that creatives can follow, and it probably seems like having talent is the only key ingredient you need to find success. But the reality is far from that for most people.

There are a million ways to get from point A to B in music, and with it, a million people that you will interact with along the way. I’ve learned that being caring, empathetic, and putting in the work to set aside my ego during the entire creative process and any service I’m providing is something that has set me apart more than technical skill or creative talent. It may sound basic, but it has such a significant impact in our industry because of the numerous horror stories that exist for artists trying to hire professionals to help them make or finish their music.

Unfortunately, I can count on more than one hand the number of artists (especially women) who have come to me with the same story: a producer took advantage of their situation, didn’t listen to what they wanted, and left them spending more money than agreed upon for a finished product that they don’t align with. It’s an ego-driven approach that leaves an artist feeling helpless and often leads them to give up on music altogether.

This is how I’ve learned that this business thrives on much more than musical talent. As a producer, you can be one of the best at your craft, but if you don’t have the ability to put the artist first and prioritize being the best creative partner possible, then you will have a hard time retaining clients.

Though it’s usually just me in the service I offer, I’ve found that treating myself like a brand and wanting that brand to be known for offering a positive experience is the most important thing I can do for the people I work with. I want to deliver what is promised, and I want everyone involved to feel like their ideas and opinions were equally prioritized. Luckily, the work I get to do is ridiculously fun and often leads to me becoming great friends with the people I call ‘clients.’ So, by following these basic principles, I’m really the one that’s winning at the end of the day.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

It’s a simple answer, but I have found peace in trying to create a career that I never have to retire from. I think the traditional way of thinking is to work hard and fast so that you can retire early and then finally enjoy life how you always envisioned it to be. But that’s ridiculous, because we are constantly growing and evolving as people. I don’t want to wait until I’m in the second half of my life to experience that feeling, because I have no idea who I will be then. I want to enjoy my work everyday because I spend so much of my life doing it. I want my work to bring me towards like-minded people who inspire me, not those who resent what they do and dream of doing something else. If I never have to retire from my work, then it suddenly eliminates a lot of stress in my mind, and that feels inspiring to me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first got into mixing, I was working on a project that involved multiple songs. When I reached the end of the project, I shared the music with a close friend and trusted musician that I trust for feedback…the feedback was not good. In fact, it was so bad that it led to me scrapping weeks of work and starting from scratch. However, when I re-approached everything from the ground up it led to a much better final product and taught me everything that I had done wrong throughout the process so that I was able to make note of them for the future.

I think the biggest takeaway from this experience is how much growth is waiting on the other side of feedback if we’re able to put our ego aside. Don’t get me wrong, it was insanely difficult to hear that feedback, but when I was able to recognize it as an opportunity to get better then I knew I had to take it in stride and view it as a positive thing.

It’s especially difficult for creatives to receive feedback because we align so much with our work, but in any successful business you will see that the feedback loop is essential to tweaking a product to be the best it can be, and ultimately leads to the happiest customer. The best advice is to fail fast and fail often, because the sooner we do this the sooner we can become better at our crafts. I think constantly putting ourselves out there and seeking this type of feedback will lead to faster growth than locking ourselves in a room and grinding to get better with no help. Staying optimistic and open-minded to learning from others is the fastest route to success in my experience and what I’d recommend to anyone in any field.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andytheproducer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andytheproducer_/?hl=en

Image Credits
Meaghan Gipps (Gipps Media)