Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Wofford
Hi Erik, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was a teenager, I bought a cassette four track recorder and started recording my own band as well as experimenting with found sounds, layers and effects. By the time I needed to make a decision on what to do in college, I decided that I wanted to forge my own path instead of pursuing recording in school. I majored in Geology and volunteered at KVRX at UT Austin. From there I got a lot of hands on experience in many different facets from recording live bands to building and maintaining equipment, as well as being an on air dj and music reviewer. When I graduated in 2002 I decided to try and pursue recording full time. I converted an art studio on the banks of the Colorado River in East Austin into comfortable, efficient and versatile recording studio, one little piece at a time. I was fortunate enough to work with some iconic Austin artists in the beginning of their careers, such as Explosions in the Sky, The Black Angels, Voxtrot. Later on, some of the highlights were The Black Pumas, Bill Callahan, Adam Torres and Molly Burch. In 2019, I decided to build a new studio behind my home further north in East Austin since the area around the old studio was getting developed into a hotel and mixed use high rises. The newer space has a lot of the old school analog charm of the old studio, but with a more controlled environment. Now I have the security to do what I love and spend more time with my family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making a living in the music business is never an easy venture, but when you’re lucky enough to do what you’re put on this earth for, you do whatever you can to make it work. In the beginning, I had several different jobs to make ends meet, like running a microphone company, doing live sound, substitute teaching and many other odds and ends. Once I was able to just focus on the studio, I diversified my client base so I wasn’t confined to just one ecosystem of music. I always found that putting the utmost care and creativity into a project made everyone happy and grew my business when they told their friends about me or someone hears my work and seeks me out. When these connections happen organically, things run smoothly, but it does take a constant push of your boundaries to stay on top/ahead of trends and bring new artists in.
We’ve been impressed with Cacophony Recorders, 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?
I have run the recording studio Cacophony Recorders for over 23 years now. Right now I specialize in mixing and mastering, but I still occasionally track bands and produce records. I work in all genres, but most people come to me for either indie rock or psychedelic inspired rock. I won a Grammy for my work in mastering Grupo Fantasma’s “El Existial” and have a Grammy nomination for my work on the deluxe version of The Black Puma’s self titled debut album. Some of the more well known artists I’ve worked with are Explosions in the Sky, The Black Angels, Bill Callahan, Molly Burch and The Black Pumas. My studio is unique in the old school analog approach, but still keeping things fresh and modern. Every project deserves it’s own custom approach and sound, which should be unique and self identifying.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was always drawn equally to imagination and how things work. This gave me a unique approach to creating something new and interesting as well as unorthodox problem solving. I wasn’t always an accomplished musician, but I enjoyed listening to music and really enjoyed manipulating music like sculptor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cacophonyrecorders.com
Image Credits
Courtney Chavenelle – portrait
Nicolas Tilley – studio space
