Riley Owens on SoundBetter

I make music with a focus on being listenable. I'm an artist, songwriter, producer and engineer. I work out of my home studio near Syracuse, NY.

I produce and perform full-time, based between the Long Island gig scene, and my home studio near Syracuse NY where I offer remote recording services as well as studio retreats.

I'm a touring bassist, I play lead guitar in a four piece rock band, and my artist project is where I focus on acoustic.

My studio work includes me offering remote bass + guitars, or, doing full-band production work both remotely, or hosting artists for retreats.

My studio drum kit is under a 20' ceiling and stays mic'ed and ready, so I offer drums in my remote recording packages as well, either with me performing, or by bringing in my teams of session musicians.

My previous years of working in the plugin industry helped develop both my technical problem solving skills, and impeccable file management.

I specialize in guitars - acoustic rhythm, acoustic lead, electric, baritone, bass guitar, all of it. My remote recording services include drums and other instruments done in my space, too.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

Languages

English

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Interview with Riley Owens

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital because it's what I have, analog when I can get it because it makes me happy.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Dave Bayley of Glass Animals, everything he does is so crunchy.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: An ability to identify the most expressive elements, and a sense of arrangement and production that help make those elements shine.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: A great record consists of a compelling performance of a great song. It's important to build from the ground up: Make sure the song is great, and all the pieces are there. After that, make sure the artist can deliver a compelling performance of the song. Once those pieces are in place, capture it well.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Everything I do is centered around my Output Platform and an Apollo X8P. I have a collection of condenser microphones, love my new M160, R121, and an SM7B. In addition to some additional drum mics and other auxiliary equipment, this gear forms the foundation of my sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Dave Matthews Band is my #1 influence. Dave's guitar playing and songwriting inform much of how I hear music. Glass Animals have my favorite modern production. The way Dave Bayley approaches saturation and timbre is fascinating to me. I'm a big fan of Tame Impala - I admire Kevin Parker's one-man-band approach. I love Jack Johnson and John Mayer, always pleasing to the ear. I try to combine my favorite elements of everything I hear.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I read the situation to see where I can be most useful. I can't do everything, but I can do anything.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Writing songs, making demos, finishing up a record with a friend of mine that is gonna be so funky.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will give you my full attention, and I will make every decision in the best interest of your project.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who inspires you? What album defined your childhood? What do you want this record to sound like?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Form a team of people you can be vulnerable with. Chemistry is more important than anyone's skillset.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 4 Taylor guitars and an iPhone to record Voice Memos.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Funky and modern.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Treat every idea equally, and give each idea a fair attempt. If you don't like it, mute it or do it again. But always try it.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Poppy-alternative music. Anything where the goal is to be listenable.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening