Lee Curtiss is an eccentric, an original, an innovator, a ten-year veteran of the electronic music scene. His love of his craft shines through in his tracks’ every bump and shudder. He has made a name for himself creating primal, exquisitely deep and emotional dance tracks that pulse with life, sex, and humor, incorporating countless influences and genres but beholden to none. With his broad shoulders, even wider grin and keen sense of humor, Lee may give off the straight-shooting air of a Midwestern woodsman, but he’s got the ear, plain and simple.
SIS ‘Bargun’ with Lee Curtiss and Ataxia remixes will be out soon via Moteur Ville Musique. Before this release, the artist shared with us some production tips.
1. Dress comfortably and bring some wine
When I say this, what I truly mean is, this is not a normal job. If you have to work in your underwear in the pitch dark, do it. I lay on the floor to test my tracks when they’re done. It’s a terrible place for acoustics, but just laying down with your eyes closed and your monitor screen off, immediately takes you out of the box you’ve been working in for the past 2 to 24+ hours. When I say bring wine, it doesn’t have to be wine, it could be your favorite snack or tea or whatever it is. Don’t let anything distract you when you’re in the groove… especially your phone.
2. Be smart and buy what you need first
Don’t blow all your money on toys until you have decent studio monitors. These are an extension of your ears. Music is an auditory art form.
3. Don’t compare yourself and don’t imitate other artists
Stop listening to records that are similar to what you want to make for a bit. Go back through older music or music from other genres and listen with an open mind and an ear that listens for new sounds, production techniques, melodies, etc. The point is to do things other artists haven’t done yet, not replicate. There’s as much to be learned from Miles Davis as there is The Cure.
4. Learn mix engineering.
Just as your studio monitors are your ears, engineering is the resolution of the audio image you intend to convey to your audience. You may write a great song but if it’s not mixed properly, no one will play it. Engineering is a deep rabbit hole that you don’t need to tunnel your way through completely, but it is nothing short of a game-changer if you plan to release your music professionally.
5. Always be open and willing to learn
Until you’ve accomplished everything you’ve ever hoped for in the industry, you remain a student to music. Feel comfortable with that and enjoy the process. I always feel like I’ve only just started my journey through music composition, production, and engineering. This is what constantly keeps it exciting and real. I will be teaching masterclass with Lee Foss’ successful new Repopulate Mars Workshop from August to October. Teaching the methods I’ve learned over more than 20 years of producing has started a whole new and exciting chapter in my journey.
SIS ‘Bargun’ with Lee Curtiss and Ataxia remixes will be out on September 4th, 2020 on Moteur Ville Musique. Stream and buy here.
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