Annie Rew Shaw (aka Austel) on SoundBetter

Freelance producer and mix engineer, composer, songwriter & artist | MA in Creative Music Production | MPG Awards | 2024 Longlisted Breakthrough Producer of the Year & Self-Producing Artist of the Year | ABRSM Grade 8 Pianist & Vocalist | 'Haunting and moody' - BBC 6 Music

Hi, I'm Annie - an alternative artist, producer, mix engineer, composer and songwriter based in London, UK.

I release my own music under the alias Austel, which has received support from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Amazing Radio, The Line Of Best Fit, Fresh On The Net, Spotify Fresh Finds UK & IE, Loud Women, Indie Boulevard + more. I released my self-produced debut album Dead Sea in February 2024, which features collaborations with Grammy award-winning engineer Guy Massey (The Beatles, Kylie, Manic Street Preachers) and mastering engineer Katie Tavini (Nadine Shah, Arlo Parks, Bloc Party).

Alongside my work as an artist, I am a freelance producer, mix engineer, composer and songwriter, currently collaborating with several exciting upcoming artists. I have an MA in Creative Music Production, with a dissertation titled ‘Open The Gates: Deconstructing Patriarchal Paradigms in Music Production’. I was longlisted for Breakthrough Producer of the Year and Self-Producing Artist of the Year for the 2024 MPG Awards.

I am dedicated to cultivating a safe and inclusive studio environment, in particular empowering women, gender minorities, and members of the LBGTQ+ community.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

Languages

English

3 Reviews

Endorse Annie Rew Shaw (aka Austel)

by Adam Stark
Annie is one of the best musicians and songwriters I know. She is a brilliant vocalist, with a rich tone and huge range - and it sounds amazing whenever I have recorded it. She is also an excellent pianist and guitarist, with an intuitive grasp of melody, harmony and musical arrangement. Her songwriting is fantastic - but I'll leave her music to speak for itself, have a listen! I've worked with her for many years and would highly recommend her to others :)
by Ly Fp
Annie has a beautiful rich vocal and an arresting sense of melody. Highly professional and great to work with!
by John Herbert
I've worked with Annie for the last few years and she is a vocalist of rare skill, she has the range, power and sensitivity to allow her to inhabit any song. She has constantly amazed me with the depth and sophistication of her songwriting and production ideas. Whatever she has contributed to the music we have worked on in the past has been inspired, complimentary and striking.

Interview with Annie Rew Shaw (aka Austel)

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My latest Austel EP Cold Love, which I wrote and produced with Adam Stark (MI·MU Gloves, Endlesss) and Joseph Wander. The EP showcases my range as an artist - both in songwriting and styles of production. The songs are honest, intimate and powerful. I'm particularly proud of my vocal performances on Dry and Cold War.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Releasing new music as Austel and Dust In The Sunlight, and building up my songwriting/production portfolio.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will write, perform and record everything to the highest quality and always meet a deadline.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: How music can completely transport, connect and move people. You're essentially creating something very personal that ends up being shared with the universe, for anyone to adopt as their own.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I'm not just a singer! I love composition, production and am a classically-trained pianist.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I was classically-trained in both piano and singing from a young age and spent my childhood / teenage years in various musical groups - including a jazz band, choir, orchestra and musical theatre school. I started songwriting at the age of 12 and recording with various producers at the age of 16. I decided to move to London at the age of 19 to pursue a career in music - working with artists like Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Lyla Foy, Rumour Cubes, Munro Fox and more. All of these experiences honed my skills as a live musician, songwriter, producer and session artist. I launched my solo project Austel in 2018, followed by my new band Dust In The Sunlight, recently signed to new indie label Project Melody. I possess a wide knowledge of many styles and genres of music, as well as years of technical experience.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Thom Yorke, Patti Smith, Nils Frahm, Justin Vernon, Jon Hopkins... because they're all legends and innovators; constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new territories.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Break the rules.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Dark, alternative electro-pop / indie / singer-songwriter
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Bringing raw and honest emotion into everything I do.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I've got a brilliant ear for melody and chordal progressions. I write lyrics that are poetic and unconventional, yet accessible.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Logic Pro X, Neumann KMS 104, Nord Stage 2 EX, Korg Minilogue, Fender Stratocaster, acoustic guitar.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Radiohead / Thom Yorke, James Blake, Bon Iver, Bat For Lashes, Goldfrapp, Elizabeth Fraser / Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Daughter, London Grammar, Nils Frahm, Jon Hopkins
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Topline, vocals, lyrics, songwriting, arrangement