Meet Blaire Michael: Music Producer, Mix Engineer, & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blaire Michael and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blaire, how do you think about risk?
I think of risk in terms of growth. For me, it has been this crucial element to self-actualization. I wouldn’t really be where I am today, talking to you about my work as a music producer, had I not taken substantial risks and moved through all the fears that come with them. In a lot of ways, until I started pursuing a career as a music producer and audio engineer, I had chosen a challenging, but nonetheless safe route in my career. I was on a very predictable path in academia. I graduated college, went for my Masters, taught at the University, got my doctorate, and started doing post-doctoral research. It was a series of unsurprising steps that led me to become a doctor. From there, there was another set that would lead me to becoming a professor. When I think about it, I didn’t have much risk in my life – pressure? Yes. Risk? Meh, not really. I was just working really hard and following the track laid out for me. Risk felt incredibly scary, especially when I first began to realize that, actually, I was my happiest as a creative, which is a much less predictable career path. I mean, I don’t know where that path goes, how it is going to wind, whether it goes down into a valley before it ascends, if it even ascends at all. When I decided to start pursuing music, I had to take the risk and just trust. Now I see that risk as synonymous to bravery, growth, and progress. I think that it is ultimately the foundation of what I am doing today as a creative. I am taking a huge risk in saying, what if I took the time and energy that I dedicate to things that feel “safe” and instead, put that energy into my creative life? What if I trust in my ability to create my own path – to jump and allow the net to appear, as the famous quote says? And right now, I’m finding out. I’m taking the risks and so far, it has been such a healing experience to push past my fears and create space for my creative life. I think in terms of risk, it is also important to mention that women are incredibly underrepresented in the fields of music production and audio engineering. Some of the most recent statistics have found that less than 3% of music producers and 3% of audio engineers are womxn and the ones that are there still face significant barriers as they try to change that statistic. It’s a risk to take on the male gatekeepers in this industry and say, “Hey, I’m a female producer and I am just as much of a badass as you.” I am really grateful for these risks. They have led me to the places I need to be and has shown me the places where I can help to create meaningful change.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Yes, of course! The music that I write and produce is all about emotion, whether it be grief, longing, or joy. As an artist, I have something to say and that comes through in the lyrics I write and my perspectives on my personal experiences as well as the state of society. I think what really makes my art, well, mine, is the approach I take to production – each move is simultaneously planned and spontaneous. I know I want to capture a feeling, to make a statement, but the sonic landscape I choose is incredibly bespoke and brought together through play and experimentation. I don’t operate by what is “right” per se (I don’t come from formal training or reference a particular artist as my influence), but I know what is right when I hear it. It just clicks. I create from this state of trust, allowing my sound to be shaped in it. More often than not, a key in my production style is how I use my voice. I use it all over the place – to create unusual beats, to create lush atmospheres, or to add emotional lifts in songs. I developed my style through a lot of learning, inspiration, and of course, working with other people – the people I have met along have been so important to my success, especially in Los Angeles. That said, for all those budding producers out there, the journey hasn’t been without people who have turned me down or not taken me seriously. I don’t write them in as main characters in my story and you shouldn’t either. As for upcoming projects, I am super excited to be releasing a few different projects this year. I am currently producing an album for an amazing afro-jazz singer named Erockfor. I will also be releasing an EP for a personal singer-songwriter project called WYMN as well as a few fun songs under my producer name, Blaire Michael. I have also been working with another local artist, Devin Davis, on an 80s melancholia project called Slight Blue. That’s all, ha. I am busy, to say the least, but incredibly happy to be working on so much music with amazing women.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, given the general state of the world, I would cautiously say that they should definitely take a food tour of Grand Central Market, sit in the sun and enjoy some drinks and people-watching at Echo Park Lake, take a trip to Venice to grab Gjusta and eat it on the beach, hike at Debs or Griffith park for amazing views of the city, or check out the murals and have some food down in the Arts District.  If they are feeling adventurous, I would definitely recommend a road-trip to Joshua Tree. It’s one of my favorite places to relax and get into nature. Otherwise, stay in and order ALL the take-out – I personally recommend Joy, Cosa Buona, and Hippo!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes! I am so grateful for the support, mentorship, and encouragement that I have received from my friends and collaborators, Devin Davis of Ramonda Hammer, Lew Salem, Nico Turner, and Morgan Bosc. Each of them, in their own way, has been exactly what I have need in a time of doubt or challenge and has been there to help push me through when I have felt unsure. They are artists themselves, so please give their music a listen! I also have to give a shoutout to Women’s Audio Mission in San Francisco, as well as Eddie Grey and Christina Mattei for their mentorship, especially when I was beginning on this path.

Website: blairemichael.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaire_michael/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blairesound
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK4DbyvqehB-x4pYfsBNzkA

Image Credits
Nico Turner