IN STUDIO: Eric Welton

Every day this week, I'm going to try and profile a different locally owned and operated studio and producer and show you some of the work they've done. This is just a tidbit of info to point you in a direction if you're planning on recording something this year and aren't sure who to turn to!

Eric Welton
ewelton (at) gmail.com

While almost all of the other producers listed have been a part of a full on recording studio, Eric Welton takes a far simpler approach. He relies on the artists simply being themselves in his own makeshift studio setting and goes out to capture the heart of the songs themselves. After many local songwriters heard the results of Welton's own early recordings (2006's ZiGZag and the follow up, An EP), people were amazed that he had recorded this all himself. His production was slick and the musical accompaniments only seemed to nurture and enhance the songs inner strengths. He then began working on demo recordings by various local musicians, such as Lee Gaul and Steven Gibb (of The Golden Hands Before God), and then working on bringing the best out of Travis Reitsma, on his stellar debut, Bluebeard, last year. A beloved local entertainer, he was most recently the man behind the helm for the critically acclaimed debut from Tara Watts, About Love. He has also recently joined the ranks of Chatham-based psychedelic rock outfit, Square Root of Margaret.

What prompted you to start recording bands?
Eric: The bands themselves asked and I usually agree!

What is your niche? By that I mean, what do you specialize that sets you apart from the other producers?
Eric: A simple, stripped down process...my focus has been on more acoustic solo artists, but that doesn't stop us from adding any and all other instrumentation.

Who are you working with right now?
Eric: Currently working on my next record and Travis Reitsma's next record. In talks to record Why Me?'s debut..

Is there anyone locally right now that you'd love to work with but haven't yet?
Eric: Andrew MacLeod, Jackie Robitaille and The Windsor Salt Band.

How do you see the recording industry surviving with the increasing DIY recording that seems to be emerging of late?
Eric: The recording industry will do just fine, in my opinion. There should definitely be enough room for for both.. People make their own beer but does it affect Molson?

A Sample of Eric Welton's Discography

• Prophet Limbo Prophet Limbo (2007)
  
• Travis Reitsma Bluebeard (2008)
• Tara Watts About Love (2009)
  
• Eric Welton ziGZag (2006)
• Eric Welton An EP (2007)
  
• Eric Welton Foolheart (2008)
  

What Other Local Musicians Have Said:

Travis Reitsma:

As soon as Eric and I finished my first album, we pretty much immediately made plans to start working on the second. It was such a smooth and enjoyable process the first time that it had to happen again. Eric is one of the only people (along with Tara Watts and Derek Harrison) that I'm able to work with musically and not hold anything back. When we first started working together, we barely knew each other and now I consider him one of my closest friends.

Tara Watts:

My experience working in the studio with Eric was a positive one. He is very patient and makes you feel at home which is super important in the recording process. He's professional, he takes your music and his work seriously and yet we had tons of fun as well. It was great working with Eric because I knew he believed in my music and this project, so when I would get discouraged he was super supportive and continued to motivate me. He definitely went the extra mile and did everything he could to make my first CD a success. He has a good ear for music and he made good suggestions that added different dimensions to each song.