This week, meet Josiah Mazzaschi, owner of Silver Lake’s The Cave Studio and lead singer of Light FM. Within only a couple years after moving from Chicago to LA, Mazzaschi launched his own recording studio. Since, he has worked with well-known artists like Built To Spill and Rilo Kiley, while currently producing records for local stand-outs, such as Future Ghost, Y Luv and The Sweaters. As if working with almost a dozen bands at the moment just isn’t enough, his indie pop angst meets post-punk band Light FM is finishing up their next album Buzz Kill City. And we’re definitely looking forward to it.
I caught up with Mazzaschi about what’s happening at the studio and how he got into the biz.
Ash: When did you launch your studio? And how did you get into music production?
Josiah: I moved to LA in the summer of 2005. I knew Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Billy Brag) the owner of Kingsize Sound Labs in Eagle Rock from back when he lived in Chicago. My old band Motorhome was his first client! Dave got me working on some great projects, Built to Spill, The Spinto Band, and William Reid from The Jesus and Mary Chain. William convinced me to set-up my own studio in my band’s rehearsal spot last year. It’s like an apartment! I use the kitchen as my control room and the living room as a tracking room! It works out really nicely. I was always recording my own demos and friends bands in college on an old reel to reel recorder. Analog!
Ash: First artist you worked with:
Josiah: First LA band you might’ve heard of was a band called The Adored on V2 records. We did a cover of, “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” It was a lot of fun.
Ash: What artists are you currently working with?
Josiah: I’m currently working with William Reid (JAMC), Modern Time Machines, Wilding, The Pity Party, One Trick Pony, Y Luv, The Sweaters, The Blood Arm, The College Kids, Nathaniel Fergoso and the Bountiful Hearts, and Future Ghost.
Ash: Every producer has a sort of trademark element that they bring to a record. Is there a particular element you tend to incorporate into the records you work on?
Josiah: I’ve always had the philosophy that a producer should try to achieve what the band envisions in their heads and make it a reality. I sometimes throw little studio tricks into the mix. I’m super ADD so I am constantly throwing surprises into songs. I think people’s attention spans are really short and I think it’s important to always engage the listener.
Ash: Use food as a way to describe your band Light FM:
Josiah: I like to think of Light FM as pop rocks. We’re sweet when we first enter your mouth and then we explode!! That sounds kinda naughty….
Ash: What musical influences helped you to create Light FM’s sound?
Josiah: Definitely old school ’80s new wave (Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Tubeway Army, Wire), The Cars) and early shoegaze/ Creation records (Jesus and Mary Chain, MBV, Ride, Felt, House of Love).
Ash: What is in your vinyl collection?
Josiah: Sadly, my ex-girlfriend inherited my awesome record collection. I had everything on vinyl! I have an old New Order Factory Records 7″, Blonde Redhead, and Avi Buffalo’s “What’s In It For” on vinyl!
Ash: What album made you wake up one day and get into music?
Josiah: I think The Cure’s The Head on the Door, The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Psychocandy, and The Smiths’ Meat is Murder were my first records I really started to get into “alternative” music. I liked punk and hardcore growing up but these records were much more melodic and cool.
Ash: Favorite record store:
Josiah: We just played a party at an old record/ vinyl pressing plant called Capsule Labs in Frogtown. They are totally cool dudes! Check out their site at capsulelabs.com. Of course, Sean and Neil from Origami vinyl are amazing!
Ash: If you could record a band anywhere, other than your great studio, where would it be?
Josiah: Well, there’s been talk of recording one of the artists I’ve been working with in Ireland, in a castle. So. maybe my dream will come true! I’d love to record at Electric Audio (Steve Albini’s place) in Chicago. My friends play in Morrissey’s band. I’d love to record them here at my studio! Or, maybe on a tropical island? Say, St. George??
Check out The Cave Studio at http://thecavestudio.blogspot.com. Catch Light FM playing Silverlake Lounge on Feb. 21 and go to http://lightfm.bandcamp.com for more info.
