I have done two different recording projects where I've worked with producers, and what I've learned is that it is so important to connect with this person because they are ultimately shaping your songs before they go out into the world.
Make sure your vision aligns with your producer's.
The first project I did was an EP, and the producer was really enthusiastic and offered me a great deal working in a top notch recording studio. However, he definitely had a vision for the songs when he heard them, and I felt like I didn't really have much of a say in the way that I wanted my songs to sound or the vibe that I was going for.
I didn't realize any of this until after the recording was done, and I listened to the songs over and over again. I realized that while it was very polished sounding, it was not what I was going for—I wanted more unique instrument combinations and maybe some electronic elements or different drum sounds rather than just traditional guitar, bass, and regular drums.
Find a producer who asks the right questions.
It was at this time that I felt like I knew what I wanted and was ready to record my first album, but I had no idea who to approach about this. Fortunately, a friend of mine recommended a producer that
he had worked with named Christopher Krotky, who works at Soundwire Studio in Fairfax, California. I set up a meeting with him, and we clicked right from the start.
We chatted a bit, and he asked me about what kind of sound I was going for and to give names of some artists/albums that inspired me. The fact that he was asking these kinds of questions and we were having a discussion about it right from the start really resonated with me, and I knew that I would be able to work well with him.
Don't rush the process.
Recording my first album with this producer took a little over a year, and I am so happy that I did not rush the process. As a singer/songwriter, my songs are so precious to me, and I wanted to make sure that they were ready to be released into the world when the time was right.
Chris was amazing to work with, and he is so talented at discussing the songs, receiving feedback, and responding by re-mixing them when appropriate. It is important to find a producer that really resonates with you as a person because you want to feel confident and comfortable discussing the songs and working in conjunction with him/her in order to successfully fulfill your artistic vision.
The most exciting part for me was putting on the headphones to record final vocals and harmonies, surrounded by these beautiful arrangements that he had created for each song, with my help and input. Having a voice in the process was such an empowering experience, and I am so proud of the songs that we created together for my first album.
An independent yoga-loving dreamer, San Francisco based Lesley Greer, who goes by the stage name Lyra Star, creates entirely new worlds with her music, and her listeners get to live inside it when they press play. As a solo artist, her imagination and creativity truly shine through her work while her pure, ethereal vocals and profound lyrics reveal a highly aware, genuinely creative soul that never lets go of the importance of following her dreams. This March, she released her debut album, aptly titled A Thousand Dreams on March 2nd, 2018. Website I Facebook I Instagram | Soundcloud
