Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Wansitler.
Hi Matthew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Music has always been a very big part of my life. I remember putting on this huge pair of headphones when I was about 3 years old and listening for hours. Growing up, I was always learning how to play music, whether it would be drumming on my knee with a pencil, or figuring out notes and chords on a piano. I started playing the trumpet in middle school and played all throughout high school. After high school, I started to play the drums, bass, guitar and piano. I enjoyed playing in many different bands in my 20’s and 30’s, eventually earning a position in the band, Lords Of October as their drummer.
I did go through some hard times though outside of music. I remember very well sitting in a bar, getting ready to play a show for a band that I was filling in for but I was depressed because I had just got fired from my job. As I sat there thinking about what I was going to do next, my wife asked me a question that would change my life. “What if you went back to school?” I had never really considered that, but that’s what I did. I applied to Berklee College of Music and got accepted into their music production program, then I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree. While I was going to school, I built a recording studio and today, I bring in clients to help make their dreams come true, while also making mine come true.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. College was a big challenge for me. I was stressed a lot, but I knew I had to keep going. Also, building the studio was a huge challenge. I would take on a side job to help pay for everything and I would have to learn everything as I went. I have no real experience building anything.
We’ve been impressed with Phoenix Music Productions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My main goal is to help people around me bring their dreams to life. I specialize in the punk, rock, and metal genres since I live so close to Flint, which has a very big rap and R&B scene. This will help with clients who don’t have other options when it comes to recording their music. I will take any client from any genre though.
The business is located in Clio, Michigan which is about 15 miles north of Flint. The name Phoenix Music comes from my stage name, October Phoenix which is the name I go by in Lords Of October, and my side band, St. Eerie. We offer low rates on recording, mixing, and mastering, all of which I do. I have spent quite a while building up my inventory of professional gear including microphones, instruments, and 32 channel mixer. I am also certified Pro Tools Specialist.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I don’t see any big changes happening in the next few years. My main goals are to keep building my client base and getting my name out there as a quality recording and mixing facility.
Pricing:
- Pricing for recording is $40 per hour.
- Pricing for mixing is normally $50 per song
- Pricing for mastering is $50 per song unless the song was recorded and/or mixed here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phoenixmusicproduction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenix.music.productions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixmusicproductions/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-wansitler-a32b522bb/
