Recording Studio Rockstars

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CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/521

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RWGULQsJ7Ulj9f6AmQ2O1?si=540116b8c51440b1

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RSR520 - Abbie Griffin - The Next Generation of Songwriting and Recording 0

Aug 22, 2025

Tune in for an episode of Recording Studio Rockstars with host Lij Shaw, featuring the talented musician and recording arts student, Abbie Griffin. Abbie shares her personal journey—from falling in love with music inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and Taylor Swift, to navigating the challenges of the industry. She opens up about her songwriting process, the influence of her family and life experiences, and how technology is transforming the way we create music. Most importantly, Abbie emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and embracing your individuality. Don’t miss her latest track, "Live from Onie's House," available on Spotify. Join us as we chat about music and creativity on this episode of Recording Studio Rockstars.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Abbie Griffin, an engineer, singer, guitarist, and bassist, and a student of Recording Arts and Production at Montclair State University in NJ, where she studies audio engineering, post-production, and live event audio. At just 22 years old, she’s already been performing for nearly two decades. She loves making music and recently released her first record, Live from Onie’s House, inspired by Joni Mitchell. To quote her greatest inspiration—her musical grandmother—Abbie is “the saddest yet happiest songbird you’ll ever meet, with that smile.”

I met Abbie at NAMM when she came to a meetup for Recording Studio Rockstars. The first thing she said to me was that she was a fan of the podcast—and so was her dad! It’s so cool to hear how the podcast is reaching a younger audience and inspiring those just starting out in their music and audio careers.

Today, we’re going to find out what it’s like to be a young student of recording aspiring to be a musician and songwriter. We’ll talk about what Abbie’s learning in school, what she thought she needed to learn, and what music really means to her. She shares her thoughts on the rapid changes in music technology with AI, how the definition of a producer is evolving for the next generation, and where she sees the future of music heading.

We’ll also dive into her love for vintage gear, DIY instruments, and how strength training plays a surprising role in her creative process. And—one of the coolest parts—Abbie recently had the chance to interview Pat Metheny, one of her musical heroes. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about songwriting, personal growth, and embracing your unique sound!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/520

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jc5wSU8VTbukzdbPmvyXa?si=fc479fd1cff4463d

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

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RSR519 - Gabe Dagrezio - Songwriting, Producing, and Mixing From Italy to San Diego 0

Aug 15, 2025

Lij Shaw of Recording Studio Rockstars recently sat down with Gabe Dagrezio to dive into his journey from frontman of The New Story to a highly regarded producer, engineer, and studio owner. With years of experience in the music industry, Gabe has worked with a wide range of artists, helping them craft their sound through both performance and technical mastery. He emphasizes the importance of authentic recordings combined with solid technical skills, often sharing how preparation and understanding the artist’s vision are key to great results. Gabe also talks about his studio setup, his approach to mixing and mastering, and how modern tools like room simulation headphones can elevate home recordings. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the value of community organizations like AES, continual learning, and building genuine relationships—lessons that are crucial for anyone looking to thrive in today’s ever-changing industry.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Gabe Dagrezio. Gabe started as the frontman of The New Story, an Italian touring band signed to EMI/Virgin in the early 2000s. His time in the studio sparked a deep passion for recording, leading him to master performance, engineering, and production.

Gabe is a skilled guitarist, songwriter, and singer who has performed thousands of shows worldwide. His background gives him a performer’s sensitivity in the studio, bridging the gap between artistry and technical precision. With a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting, Contemporary Guitar, and Music Technology, he brings a well-rounded approach to recording, mixing, and coaching artists to their best performances.

We met a couple years ago and here's a quote from Gabe “NAMM, I walked up to you because I listen to your podcast, and I recognized the voice, then, I looked at your badge :)”

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/519

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Soundcloud:

Recent productions: https://on.soundcloud.com/BMSg25zFjH4crFA99

Original songs: https://on.soundcloud.com/YVPKzB29pob8UAy9A

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

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RSR518 - Trina Shoemaker - From Maid to Grammy as 1st Woman to Win Album of the Year 0

Aug 8, 2025

What does it take to rise from cleaning studios to shaping some of the most iconic records of our time? Trina Shoemaker’s story is not just about breaking into the music industry—it’s about breaking through it. As the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Trina paved the way for a generation of female producers and engineers, and she brings her powerful voice and razor-sharp insight to this inspiring and unfiltered conversation.

In this episode, Trina shares how she went from mopping floors at Capitol Records to earning Grammy wins for her work with artists like Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris. She tells the behind-the-scenes stories of working on Wrecking Ball and how that album helped define the sound of Americana. We explore her years in London learning the art of engineering, her move to New Orleans to join the legendary Kingsway Studio, and the deep musical and personal lessons she learned along the way.

Trina also pulls back the curtain on the realities of being a woman in a male-dominated field—how she navigated the industry, demanded respect, and held true to her belief in capturing raw, honest performances. She discusses her approach to vocal production, why she avoids auto-tune, and how crafting backing vocals is one of her secret weapons. Beyond her life in the studio, Trina opens up about her love of writing and her dream of publishing a novel and having actor Will Patton narrate the audiobook.

Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting out, this episode offers a powerful reminder: authenticity, persistence, and a deep respect for the artist’s process will always rise above the noise.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Trina Shoemaker, who was born in 1965 and raised in Joliet, IL, southwest of Chicago. Over the past three-and-a-half decades, she has produced, recorded and mixed hundreds of records. A four-time Grammy® Award winner and six-time nominee, she is the first woman to win the Grammy® for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Her credits run the gamut from Queens Of The Stone Age, Rodney Crowell, Charley Crockett and Iggy Pop to Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker. Although audio engineering is a passion, writing songs and playing musical instruments are not. Instead, while her ears are busy in the studio recording music, her imagination is busy creating characters, narratives, plotlines and dialogues as she travels through the hidden workings of songs. These stories have culminated in the creation of her debut novel, Bury Me Alive In Your Sugar. Trina lives on Mobile Bay in Fairhope, Alabama, with her husband, singer-songwriter Grayson Capps.

Thank you to Tyler Bryant for the introduction!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/518

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7FEgPMG0Zhkx6vdIuU5SUX?si=38dbbb23f1994fae

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

Download this Episode

RSR517 - Ulf Blomberg - DIY to Pro Swedish Punk and Black Metal 0

Aug 1, 2025

Ulf Blomberg is a Swedish producer, engineer, and musician known for his deep roots in the DIY scene and his work in punk, death metal, and black metal. He joins Lij to talk about running his own studio, recording techniques, the power of real amps, and why clear communication and artist comfort are critical. Ulf also shares the mission behind his band Agenda, which blends hardcore punk with political and social awareness, and discusses building his own gear, training interns, and what makes a studio truly inspiring.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Ulf Blomberg, a Swedish producer and engineer with a strong DIY ethos who has been making underground metal and punk/hardcore records for 20 years. He started playing guitar as a teenager and quickly fell in love with recording, experimenting with a portable cassette recorder before ever stepping into a real studio. In 2004, he co-founded HoboRec, a studio and punk label, eventually becoming the sole owner and going full-time about six or seven years ago. Having toured extensively—once playing 45 shows in 47 days across 22 countries—he deeply understands the struggles and dedication of independent bands. Known for his organic, acoustically rich productions, Ulf has recorded hundreds of albums, including Danko Jones and Wolfbrigade. He also shares his knowledge on his YouTube channel, HoboRec Recording Studio, with DIY projects like How I Made My Own DIY Ribbon Mic.

Thank you to Chris Selim for the introduction!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!