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

Hi Tristan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I started seeing concerts at the age of 7, seeing some of my favorite musical acts such as Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, and Green Day. At 9 I started playing drums (thanks Mom and Dad) and learning WHY I loved the artists I did. Like other creatives, I was drawn in. There was an omnipresent force that I couldn’t seem to escape. At 15 I found myself in my first recording studio called “The Hideout”. I was captivated by the way music was recorded, the way sound was molded into an a collective where everything made sense. This was an entire new level to what I had known about music. As a teenager it was a revelation. I NEEDED to do that. Years of school and in-between low wage jobs I would practice at home trying to figure out how musicians and engineers crafted their sound. Flash forward to 21 where I started interning at the very same studio that inspired me: The Hideout Recording Studio. I am lucky enough to have a great support system. Mom and Dad were always supportive and wanted me to do what I loved. My gorgeous wife, Taylor, has put up with not seeing me for days at a time and has the love to understand why. Now, at the studio, I am supported by other engineers and my sound sensei Kevin Churko. I am very much still pursuing my career. The world of music and its technology is constantly evolving. When you stop learning you get left behind. There is always someone looking to sit in your chair if you get up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My story is very different than most other engineers in my position. I started my journey at a high end recording studio as an intern working under one of the most successful rock producers of this generation. It is the old school way of getting a job at a studio. This is a commercial studio which means anyone with the money can book time in one of our 4 rooms. I was thrown into the fire as an engineer. Working one session just vocals, to a live band, to a string section: it was chaotic and stressful to say the least. This taught me to be able to parachute into any situation. Psychology, technology, business, craft are all things I became strong at because of the fire. The most valuable insight I found working in my field is you have to have the right personality. You cannot be overly aggressive, you can’t burn bridges, you have to be understanding, and you HAVE to be determined. The culmination will result in you being valuable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a third generation Las Vegas native. What is fun to someone else coming here is overblown to me ahaha! I would stay away from downtown and the strip. It is an adult playground but there is so much more to the area. Not even a half hour outside of the city we have beautiful hiking trails. To the north we have Mount Charleston, a lush green mountain that during winter can have some killer snowboarding spots. To the southwest we have the Red Rocks which, i mean, need I say more? For dining I always recommend my favorite fancy night out downtown, Oscar’s Steakhouse. A rare filet mignon and a delicious gin and tonic will make you feel like you’re in vintage Vegas.

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?
The family that owns The Hideout Recording Studio: Khloe Churko, Kane Churko, and Kevin Churko. They brought me into a small circle and gave me a chance. I think that is all we need sometimes. A moment to show how valuable you can be, how much you can add to what they already have. For that I am forever grateful.

Website: tristanhardin.com

Instagram: @tristanrockhardin

Twitter: @TristanRHardin

Facebook: facebook.com/tristan.hardin.1/

Image Credits
@londonmacepictures @larixphoto @thehideoutlv

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.