What was that Mark Howden?

Written by Emma Whitlock

Meet Mark Howden, sound engineer, music producer, mentor, artist and musician. Morph interviewed Mark for our monthly 10 Questions:

Listen to 'Pick A Sign' from Waht Record's upcoming album (release date September 2010).
www.myspace.com/wahtrecords

Hi Mark, can you tell us a little about what you do?
In terms of work I'm a music producer. I manage a recording studio called Depot Sound, do a little teaching related to audio engineering and band coaching and I also write and record music for my indie record label Waht Records.

I have a very multi-disciplinary practice and enjoy working on a wide variety of projects. In terms of producing artists, I try to incorporate and promote the studio (Depot Sound) to the local and regional communities of Devonport, North Shore City and Auckland and beyond.. I endeavour to make the studio accessible for all types of projects and to create and strengthen a network (even if small) by which artists can work together to develop work beyond the scope of their own practice or regions.

www.depotsound.co.nz

So far, what has been your creative journey?
I went through university and worked until I had enough money, skills and experience to produce and release an album. Then, as a PHD candidate, I produced an electric album called 'TBL' in 2008. Before releasing the album I decided to take an adjournment for six months on a research trip to Brazil, primarily researching whilst reading an anthropological study of Brazil by Claude Levi-Strauss titled ‘Tristes Tropiques’ (‘Sad Tropics’), (1930).

While in Brazil I produced a second album 'DR' which was an acoustic autobiography of that time and place. This album also contributed to my PhD project in the sense that it was centred on mobile, on-site recording and production technologies.

When I got back to NZ I went onto the PACE (Pathways to Arts & Culture Employment) programme in order to release my albums. The programme went really well, I discovered a lot about releasing music and the music industry and I was lucky enough to get a job managing the Depot Sound recording studio which has really helped me develop my production experience.

And what are some of the discoveries you have made from doing what you do?
Enjoyment.

You work with a diverse range of people and personalities, what do you think makes a successful working relationship?

Definitely good communication between everyone involved. Through this, everyone enjoys themselves more and this usually translates to a successful project for the client.

Respect is another key point - you have to actually like working with people and you need to give every project the same degree of focus and respect. If people are leaving your studio feeling unsatisfied then I'd have to work harder because no one wins in that scenario.

What are some of the developments that your industry has seen and what do they mean for you?

Mobile/digital technologies have been really significant for me. This aspect changed my recording and composition process and has helped me develop a unique and individual methodology and something I can identify with as both an artist and engineer/producer. The variety of tools have progressed to the point that musicians and producers alike can develop their own processes far more easily and it's also affordable in terms of both money and time, allowing you to develop your practice independently providing greater freedom.

In terms of your accomplishments, which do you consider to be most significant?

I have to say I don't really think in these terms. I'm almost always really excited and focused on working in this field which is the same feeling as when I graduated or won a competition or something.

How would you describe your practice? Is it a profession, a passion, a calling?

It's definitely a choice and one which allows me to work hard and stay focused.

I try and integrate my practice into my life so it's a balance also.

In realising this is part of my life, I can't let what other people think stop me making my own choices and being happy so it's a resolution in that sense also.

Through this I've made some genuine friendships amongst artists and producers etc which I feel will always be significant to me.

What are the resources, and who is it that keeps you supported?

Being a component of the Depot Artspace is the major resource and supporter of Depot Sound. We have a regular and valued client base, and are lucky enough to be able to take on new projects at the same time as developing the nature and scope of the studio.

At home, a computer, an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, midi keyboard, at least two good quality mic's and a recording space.

The high quality of the equipment we have at the studio is a major factor in the ability to produce great recordings, mixes and masters - 16channel VTC console, G5 Mac with Logic Pro and Protools, several really good quality mic’s and a sound treated recording/rehearsal room.

MySpace and depotsound.co.nz are also a major part of our promotion and where we get most of our inquiries from.

Devonport and North Shore artists, bands and musicians are major supporters of the studio.

The Depot Artspace's PACE program also provides me with excellent links to artists and their projects both on the program and as they develop in the future.

How do you find the music and/or art scene in NZ, what are its strengths and weaknesses?

Not sure really - I try to look at most things and think “it's like this the world over”. Given certain social factors like a small population and the relative geographical isolation, our post-colonial arts culture is very multicultural...not in the political sense necessarily but I think artists are particularly aware and inspired by these factors and I personally believe that living amongst this diversity is fundamental to understanding the world. It's difficult to forge an economically sustainable practice anywhere including New Zealand but once you have achieved that balance there is definitely enough of an industry, community and talent for some really major achievements worldwide.

What is your vision for your career?
To keep pushing myself in terms of my own development and learning - and that may mean a deviation at some point away from music (though that's pretty unlikely) toward something else. For now, I think it's important for me to keep a good balance between art practice and work practice so I'm focused on 'doing' rather than planning. With every project I try to find one more aspect to develop so I can take that away and feed another. That's not to say I don't have a clear career path or goals, just that I allow myself the space to change my mind and prefer not to lock that down by outlining it in too much detail.