Ian Metzger

Singer/Songwriter, Engineer

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2 Reviews (2 Verified)
Ian Metzger on SoundBetter

Vocalist and Songwriter for Dear and the Headlights and The Gentle Hits. 20 years of musical experience. I write,produce,engineer,sing,edit,guitar and smile! I have written, recorded and performed original music that has garnered millions of plays, afforded me opportunities to play Coachella, Bonaroo, Lollapalooza, Warped Tour and more...

I would like to offer help in the realms of Songwriting, Vocals, Recording, Mixing, Lyrics, and Producing
I have 20 years of Lyric/Songwriting experience and have performed music that I have written and produced more than a thousand times across the United States and Canada. I wrote and produced both Dear and the Headlights albums, as well as writing, producing and recording my latest project The Gentle Hits.
I really love to create music and the process of collaborating with others to bring about more inspiring art into this world. With twenty years of performing, writing, producing as well as recording I know that I can add value and be a major asset to any project.
Let's get to work!

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

2 Reviews

Endorse Ian Metzger
  1. Review by Drew B.
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    Ian took a uniquely difficult request and exceeded my expectations. I felt like I was updated every step of the way and never had to question what I would be receiving. His voice is unrivaled and his ear for subtle tones is incredibly perceptive. I would recommend Ian to anyone and feel confident in his ability to develop a breathtaking result.

  2. Review by Charles K.
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    Ian is very professional, and is eager to get the job done right. Great melodic ideas, and willing to listen and adjust to feedback on track -- fleshed out my solo acoustic track nicely.

Interview with Ian Metzger

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: The next Gentle Hits album rehearsing for some live shows and touring as well as an album of songs my Dad has written and some mixes for various people

  3. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  4. A: All of the Dear and the Headlights records as well as The Gentle Hits, there is nothing more rewarding than writing,recording, and performing your own music and seeing it come to life!!

  5. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  6. A: Mark Kulvinskas my drummer :)

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Digital for ease of use and remote connectivity.

  9. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  10. A: We will work on it till you are happy

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: I love helping people through music, bringing forth their ideas and making them as impact-full as was intended

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: That talent is something that you are just handed and it's not worked for all that hard. Talent is interest practiced.

  15. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  16. A: Don't get discouraged about your ideas too soon, just a couple small tweaks and a few hours work and you may really love a song your weren't so sure about before.

  17. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  18. A: Neumann Large Diaphram Tube Mic, RCA Ribbon Mic, Laptop, Apollo Twin Duo, and my Martin D-35

  19. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  20. A: Songwriter and Lead Singer for Dear and the Headlights as well as The Gentle Hits, I've been working on music for 20 years

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: I'm a hard working perfectionist when it comes to music but i like to keep things laid back and friendly.

  23. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  24. A: I find that your own boredom is a massive clue into how well your song is moving along, if there are moments in your song when every time you listen to them you begin to think of other things and drift off, this is a major clue to adding another element into the mix or strengthening a vocal line/lyric to keep the listener engaged.

  25. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  26. A: I usually work on Rock and Indie Rock, but a bit of Country, Alt Country, Blues or Pop/Rock too

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  28. A: My strongest skills lie in Songwriting/Lyrics, production, and people skills.

  29. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  30. A: I bring what ever is necessary to a song, some need a full scale production with drums and strings while others need a voice and stripped down instrumentation. Some songs just need lyrical help to get the artists true feeling across.

  31. Q: What's your typical work process?

  32. A: I like to get a song to the point that it can stand on its own with just voice and guitar or piano and then build it out from there adding other complimentary melodies of interest and rhythms, as well as other production elements

  33. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  34. A: Rollingstones, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Lennon, George Harrison, Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Wilco, David Bazan, The National, Radiohead, Otis Redding

  35. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  36. A: Help with lyrics,song structures, vocal melodies, as well as added production ideas capable of filling out an entire production

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The Gentle Hits

I was the Singer, Songwriter, and Recording Engineer in this production

Gear Highlights
  • UA Apollo 16
  • Twin
  • UA 710
  • Neumann U47fet
  • Martin D-35
More Photos