Drawing from his experience and time as a major label artist, (Wank/Maverick 1998, Handsome Devil/RCA 2001) Producer Billie Stevens now has his own studio in the Inland Empire and is really giving a lot back to the community. DINKY MUSIC is offering a virtual bounty of opportunities for up-n-coming/struggling and established musicians with all the various services this studio offers. I had the chance to sit down with Billie recently and got the scoop on the evolution of this recording artist turned engineer/producer.
AAM: Why did you decide to open DINKY MUSIC in Corona of all places?
BS: Corona is a really central location in Southern California. Our facility is where the 91 and 15 freeways come together, you’re really only 20 minutes from Orange County and 15 minutes from Riverside, 45 minutes from L.A and 1 hour from San Diego.
AAM: What does DINKY mean? Why DINKY?
BS: Dinky means little. Originally, Dinky Music was, and still is, the name that I publish my music under. I like the idea that the songs I was writing are ‘my little songs’ and I thought it was cool to share my little songs with the rest of the world. When it came to the studio I had already been using the name and thought it was appropriate that now people can come record at my ‘little studio’. I had no idea when we started that I would be in an almost 4, 000 sq ft facility that houses 3 studios, and a ton of industry services and support.
AAM: Can you tell us how your personal experience as a guitar player ties into running a recording studio?
BS: Well I do play guitar but also have a broad background in music. All through high school and college I traveled throughout California participating in vocal and choral competitions, I also play piano and a handful of other assorted instruments as well as being a music major. From that, I have a pretty extensive grasp of theory and how it applies to several different types of music. Although it was because I play guitar that I’ve been allowed to record in top studios watching professional engineers and producers work. I have firsthand experience with the operations of legendary studios from the aspects of artist, engineer, producer, and intern. It was these studios that I modeled DINKY MUSIC after.
AAM: Can you tell us about some of the people you’ve worked with?
BS: As a recording artist I have worked on records with some incredibly talented people. A couple of WANK songs were produced by Mike Ness (Social Distortion) and he really impressed me with his attention to lyrical content and how to make songs really connect with someone. I also got to work a bit with Mark Trombino and really appreciated his attention to tone and insight with regards to mixing. I was very fortunate to work with Ed Stasium and I really tried to pick up some of his ‘cool’. He was extremely cool. As an engineer I’ve worked with hundreds of bands, Steven Adler from Guns N Roses was really fun. He’s got a great sense of humor but I really take pride in all my projects and each one is special somehow. I’ve really been and continue to be influenced by everyone I get to work with.
AAM: What kind of gear are you using?
BS: DINKY houses 3 separate pro tools based studios. Each studio has a live room, multiple isolation rooms and a control room. In a world of digital studios, we are proud that each studio features an analog mixing console and outboard compressors. We use industry standard microphones such as; 414’s, 421’s, 4050’s and tons more. Our “A” studio boasts a vintage Trident Analog console that makes all the difference in tracking amazing tones. Basically we’re equipped to meet any recording need from voiceover to full choir or symphonic band.
AAM: What sets DINKY apart, why should bands record with YOU?
BS: Dinky is different because it’s more of a passion than a business. We employ certified engineers and are actually an accredited learning facility offering academic internships for many schools. Our engineers constantly work together discussing and applying cutting edge techniques as well as using proven industry standard recording methods. By using the right team of engineers we ensure that everyone who records at DINKY works with people that really care about their project. This is also reflected in how we promote bands on DINKYMUSICRADIO.COM, our artists promotion, CD Duplication or any of our services which are usually half to a quarter of the cost of other comparable studios.
AAM: Is there anything you’d like to add?
BS: I’d like to say that I am very thankful and consider myself fortunate to have been able to do everything I have done and do. As a recording artist, engineer or producer I have been involved with projects from major labels to starting musicians and am proud to be able to share my experience through DINKYMUSIC.
Thanks for your time and to all you readers, make sure to check out all DINKY has to offer at their websites below:
