My intention as a producer is to be a conduit by which artistic creations are delivered. Just as conduits facilitate efficiencies for water to flow, electricity to energize, and air to breathe, I am the conduit whereby creation moves to realization. Presented with a diverse and dynamic collection of creative material to choose from, my work is always exciting and challenging. To me, there is no greater sense of accomplishment than being the means by which artistic dreams and creative endeavors are realized.
First and foremost, my approach to every project begins with the artist. Understanding the connections, inspirations, and reasons behind a body of work is critical to preserving, clarifying, and presenting a truth, their truth, and their reality, to the world. The image I want to project as a producer is of a friction-free, creativity pipeline; available in many shapes, many lengths, but not always in a straight line. The journey of creation to realization can have many turns, but arriving at the destination together is always my goal.
My years of experience as an entertainer, musician, songwriter, and recording engineer provided the technical knowledge, provenance, and confidence to do what I do now with ease. And while music production can be taught, the possession of knowledge does not necessarily guarantee success in the field; to that degree I believe some things are inherent.
One of my most treasured family mementos is a recording my grandfather made of me singing the Alphabet Song when I was 4 years old. As a young boy my grandfather had placed the first stone, intentional or not, on what would become my path to becoming a music producer. He died while I was still very young. He left his Concord 4444 tape recorder, and library of recorded music, to me. Listening to those recordings revealed to me a previously unknown musical lineage and made me wonder if that same talent was waiting inside me. It’s no surprise that most artists I meet tell me that music, or whatever their creative medium may be, has always been an integral part of their identity; and when pressed, equally as unlikely able to tell with specificity why. It’s that unexplained, inherent, creative embodiment that all artists seek to tap into and what truly separates the learned from the natural. Music production is as much an inherent talent as it is a technical skill. As a Producer, I carry a natural love of music into every recording project and continue to be inspired and respectful of the memory of my grandfather, the awe of a 4 year old boy, and the connective power of a recording.
Rick Pontalion
Producer