Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Frank. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Robert, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Being happy as an artist is a serious understatement, I’ve had a few “regular” jobs in my days but never truly felt like I fit in 100%. It may sound dramatic to some, but being on someone’s time clock is very depressing to me, I could never see myself being someone else’s passive income for the rest of my life. There were times when I was making decent wages but I was never satisfied with what I was doing, came to the realization that a great salary is often a dream killer. It’s easy for some on an everyday basis, and that’s great. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I’m not built for that. So yes, I’m very happy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My business is Minor Chord Studio in the San Fernando Valley. I’m an audio engineer, producer and musician. We work with a wide variety of bands, musicians, artists and such, help them achieve their vision through all aspects of music production. Not just engineering but songwriting, lessons, coaching, provide musicians, whatever their project may call for. This sometimes results in collaboration with various musicians across the globe. I got into music as a kid in the 70’s, mainly rock bands at the time. I realized around the age of 10 or so there were plenty of people behind the scenes making these records possible. Besides wanting to be a drummer, I found myself learning about the production aspects of rock music, I noticed the name Ted Templeman, often listed in the credits on numerous albums I liked at the time, I used to think, “What does he do?” I found out what a producer does in the studio and I wanted to do that. My dad bought my first multi track recorder around 1987 and I was hooked.
I basically work with bands, acoustic or live instrumentation, not so much modern pop or electronic music. I’ve been self taught since day one, it’s been a long road, 30 years now or so since I recorded my first band in my parents garage. I have clients from different realms of music these days but regardless of genre, the fundamentals of sound, the science of sound is the same. I’ve always listened to different styles of music my whole life and this has helped me tremendously now in my career. I’ve never been stuck to one style, I’m very versatile in that aspect, clients love that. Punk band one day, jazz the next, I love it all the same. Plus I get to work with great humans, everyone has a good time in the studio.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Through the course if this craziness I’ve come across many people that don’t understand the mindset of a freethinking artist. For me, having a vision come to life is very rewarding, no matter how big or small. Sometimes these visions have a hefty price tag, non creatives can’t understand spending money on string players for a couple songs, but when an artist completes their project and it’s released to the masses it is such a fulfilling moment. Without an outlet, an artist is driven mad. We don’t care about mundane jobs and being part of the machine called the workforce, in some cases an artist is just incapable because a 9 to 5 is the most depressing existence known to man. It sounds dramatic, I’ve said before, but doing what you absolutely love using your gift is the most rewarding.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’d have to say the most rewarding part for me as a engineer/producer is the excitement I get out of my clients when their ideas and visions come to life, often times greater than they imagined. Their enthusiasm is very motivating and such a compliment, it shows me that I’m doing something right. It’s definitely a labor of love and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The freedom to be myself on my own time and terms is absolutely priceless, that in itself is very rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minor_chord_studio/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minorchordstudio

Image Credits
Robert Frank Carol de Leon