We were lucky to catch up with Andrew Hill recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

One of my earliest memories is sitting in front of my father’s turntable, his adult-sized pair of headphones dwarfing my tiny head. Alan Parsons sang to me about mind-reading and invisible magical beings, transfixing me and transporting me to a place beyond time and space. I was four. And I was mesmerized.

As I grew up, I became an avid drummer and a fixture in the metro-Atlanta music scene. As a teen, I joined as many bands as I could. All things music fascinated me. I started recording at the age of 13. I was 17 when I had my first professional recording session in Little Five Points. As I performed and recorded, I couldn’t help but realize the massive amount of time, money, blood, and investment that went into each project I had committed myself to. This shit was expensive. And most musicians didn’t get paid well, and couldn’t even afford the most basic of recordings. Much less, producers, managers, marketing, and all of the other moving parts that help make music successful. The seedling of an idea had been planted.

In 2010 I decided to build a small recording studio in my home. This was mainly for personal use, as I needed to record professionally – I was in eight different bands full time. But no expense was spared, I had my basement gutted and hired professional studio designers to make it an amazing sounding space. As I had begun engineering in 2003, I already had a solid knowledge of the recording process. Music production was a little more complicated but seemed to come naturally as a result of my musical background. For the next 3-4 years, I focused on my own projects. Particularly, my band Ravens & Wolves was instrumental in helping me hone my production and recording skills. I co-engineered and produced our self-released EP and then went on to produce numerous other songs for us over the next couple of years. I slowly realized I was working towards a goal. I was working towards becoming a record producer. And I could help struggling musicians who couldn’t otherwise afford the extremely high studio rates.

It was hard for me to open my doors to the public. I didn’t feel ready. I wasn’t confident. Imposter syndrome was very real to me. But my fellow bandmates along with friends and family bolstered and encouraged me. I created my studio name, designed my logo, and started an LLC. And with that, Off The Record Studio was born. I already knew a ton of artists and had lots of drum students, so finding people who wanted to record wasn’t too difficult. And, best of all, I could set my own rates, and work with an artist’s actual budget. Voila! With a single press of the “record” button my journey began, and continues to this day.

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 never set out to become an audio engineer or music producer. I am a drummer and identified as such throughout most of my life. I began learning how to engineer in 2003 just so I could record my own drums and musical projects. Music production came as an offshoot of the various bands and projects I have been involved with. I have done everything from playing in bands and session drum recording to musicals and drumlines. These experiences paved the way for a solid foundation in songwriting, form, theory and experience. I began applying those things to my own projects and soon realized I could help others as well.

Off The Record Studio provides a full range of audio engineering, music production, video, vocal production and editing, and musical performance, along with mixing and mastering services for our clients. Our goal is to make music that moves people, either physically or emotionally.

As a musician, engineer and producer, I am obsessed with perfection. I pride myself on clean and pure sounds, and every step of the recording process is tailored to be an outstanding experience – from the gear and equipment to the room and the instruments.

I am proud to offer these services and extremely proud of being able to work within an artist’s budget.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I am not always right. This was a difficult lesson to learn when I was just starting out as a music producer. And I’m stubborn, so the lesson didn’t come easy for me. As a producer, my initial thought process was that the reason people hired me was because I knew best what would work for their project. This turned out to be only partly true, however.

When I began as a music producer, I started out doing a thing (and for better or for worse this was mostly with my own bands) where I would suggest an idea. If the other musicians didn’t agree with the idea, I tended to fight for it, even if I was outnumbered. And sometimes I would even foist it upon them, regardless of their opinions. And if this wasn’t bad enough, even worse, I would shoot down others’ ideas quickly, without giving them a proper chance.

One day, one of my closest friends and bandmates approached me and pointed out what I was doing. He said that I should give other ideas a chance. I was taken aback. I hadn’t even realized what I was doing! My eyes were opened, and I made a new resolution. I would give EVERY idea a chance, no matter what. Even if I thought it was the silliest, most nonsensical idea, I would still try it. And you know what? That has been the best decision I ever made as a producer. It has paved the way to not only more amazing and creative music, but also to stronger and more lasting connections. Much of the time, others’ ideas are better, more creative and ones I would have never come up with on my own. And that makes for a very satisfying process.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think there are several things that helped to build my reputation in the music industry. First and foremost, I put the artist first. People are the most important thing, and I try to structure my decisions around them and their dreams and goals for their project. I think this care and thoughtfulness shows itself in the final outcome. Along with that, I take their budget into consideration when embarking on a new project. Money shouldn’t be a hindrance to art, in my opinion. Additionally, I try to make creative choices that benefit the music, and not myself or some imaginary ego. Everything should work for the song.

I have to give credit to the people and decisions that got me this far on my journey. If it wasn’t for all of the loving friends, musicians, and family that have supported and helped me along the way, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love for a living. All of my success so far has been due to them and their unflinching support and encouragement, especially when I am feeling down.

I think my work serves as the best form of advertisement. Along with that, I try to be friendly, outgoing, trustworthy, and excited for each project. When people know they can depend on you to get the job done well and professionally, that goes a long way in this business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.offtherecordstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtherecordstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/offtherecordstudio
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/OffTheRecordLtd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuqDwk-IgB7YNBF-z44YTIQ