Post by Heather on Mar 14, 2009 9:36:47 GMT -5
Check out FC's latest Q&A with producer and Mike Castonguay
1. What led you to expand your career into producing and engineering?
I've been producing, engineering and mixing for about 15 years now. I played clarinet, tuba, bass, upright bass and some drums growing up and ended up going to college for music way back when. I started to play guitar, piano and drums more seriously in my early twenties and began really focusing on writing and producing my own music. I also was a guitar and bass teacher for about 8 years as well. It all just grew from there and I've been playing and working pretty steadily since. I worked for Lou Pearlman as a producer from 2001-2004 and that was when I started to produce OTHER artists more seriously. Before that it was always producing my own music. Life is always a growing experience and I learn so much everyday. It's non stop.
2. In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect as a member of Big Evil?
Evan's always a good friend and an honest guy and I love the guys that work around him. I work with Isaac and Devin on some other projects as well. I actually just got home from a full day of producing a new record with Devin playing guitar. He rocked pretty hard today .... Isaac also cut the drum tracks for me. It's a big happy family.
3. What was it like playing as BLC at the Roxy? Do you have plans to tour with Evan this year?
It's always cool playing with Evan. He's such a great performer and he knows how to win over an audience. The Roxy show was cool.... I dug playing with the drummer from Chris Cornell's band that night too. I missed Isaac a little, but it's all good. I'm not sure what the plans are. Evan and I spoke about touring together and it's possible for sure. I'm really busy though, so we'll have to wait and see on that one.
4. Which song from Evan's solo album do you like best?
Pumpkin Pie, It's Like That, Razorblade, Evan Way..... I think 2 of Evan's best songs aren't on the album though... Apology and Best Years.....
Hopefully someday those will get done the right way!!!!
5. What's your favorite crazy moment of recording with Evan, Devin, Isaac and Fields?
I think working with John Fields is pretty crazy all together. He's a fast mover, that one.
6. What was it like working with everyone on KAYA?
That was really cool..... I liked that stuff... It's too bad that the show kind of sucked.
7. What are your thoughts about the album coming out as Evan's debut instead of the Black List Club?
I recommended that he do that, actually. It was never really a band. It was always Evan's thing and that's totally cool. We're all working doing our own things and we just so happened to all do Evan's thing at the same time, so we called it a band. I'm proud of him and always wish him the best. He want's to rule the world and I hope that he does.
8. What projects do you have coming up in 2009?
I just finished producing a folk/acoustic EP with this guy JD Lipscomb (Now he goes by Aiden Moore). He's in the band Carney and used to play with A Fine Frenzy. He's a really great musician. I also just finished an EP with a great pianist/singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket as well. And... I just started producing a new record for another artist too and will be done in June with that. I occasionally freelance making music for commercials as well, so that will probably occur this year as well as some licensing music deals that pop up here and there. Then there's always the Evan world that pops up too.... Hopefully we can do more stuff together soon.
Thanks... xoxo
1. What led you to expand your career into producing and engineering?
I've been producing, engineering and mixing for about 15 years now. I played clarinet, tuba, bass, upright bass and some drums growing up and ended up going to college for music way back when. I started to play guitar, piano and drums more seriously in my early twenties and began really focusing on writing and producing my own music. I also was a guitar and bass teacher for about 8 years as well. It all just grew from there and I've been playing and working pretty steadily since. I worked for Lou Pearlman as a producer from 2001-2004 and that was when I started to produce OTHER artists more seriously. Before that it was always producing my own music. Life is always a growing experience and I learn so much everyday. It's non stop.
2. In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect as a member of Big Evil?
Evan's always a good friend and an honest guy and I love the guys that work around him. I work with Isaac and Devin on some other projects as well. I actually just got home from a full day of producing a new record with Devin playing guitar. He rocked pretty hard today .... Isaac also cut the drum tracks for me. It's a big happy family.
3. What was it like playing as BLC at the Roxy? Do you have plans to tour with Evan this year?
It's always cool playing with Evan. He's such a great performer and he knows how to win over an audience. The Roxy show was cool.... I dug playing with the drummer from Chris Cornell's band that night too. I missed Isaac a little, but it's all good. I'm not sure what the plans are. Evan and I spoke about touring together and it's possible for sure. I'm really busy though, so we'll have to wait and see on that one.
4. Which song from Evan's solo album do you like best?
Pumpkin Pie, It's Like That, Razorblade, Evan Way..... I think 2 of Evan's best songs aren't on the album though... Apology and Best Years.....
Hopefully someday those will get done the right way!!!!
5. What's your favorite crazy moment of recording with Evan, Devin, Isaac and Fields?
I think working with John Fields is pretty crazy all together. He's a fast mover, that one.
6. What was it like working with everyone on KAYA?
That was really cool..... I liked that stuff... It's too bad that the show kind of sucked.
7. What are your thoughts about the album coming out as Evan's debut instead of the Black List Club?
I recommended that he do that, actually. It was never really a band. It was always Evan's thing and that's totally cool. We're all working doing our own things and we just so happened to all do Evan's thing at the same time, so we called it a band. I'm proud of him and always wish him the best. He want's to rule the world and I hope that he does.
8. What projects do you have coming up in 2009?
I just finished producing a folk/acoustic EP with this guy JD Lipscomb (Now he goes by Aiden Moore). He's in the band Carney and used to play with A Fine Frenzy. He's a really great musician. I also just finished an EP with a great pianist/singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket as well. And... I just started producing a new record for another artist too and will be done in June with that. I occasionally freelance making music for commercials as well, so that will probably occur this year as well as some licensing music deals that pop up here and there. Then there's always the Evan world that pops up too.... Hopefully we can do more stuff together soon.
Thanks... xoxo