Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Sisler.
Hi Austin, 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?
I’ve always had a love for music. From nerding out to my father’s eclectic 70s and 80s rock collection as a kid, to learning guitar and piano, to playing in several bands throughout high school and college, I took every opportunity to explore my creative side.
But once I set foot in a recording studio for the first time, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! After graduating from the Sound Recording Program at Texas State University, I teamed up with long-time mentor and friend Alex Ballentine, Owner & Founder of Eastside Music School in Austin, TX, to bring our own recording studio to life. After months of rewiring and reimagining, we opened Eastside Music Studios (EMS), where I’m now the Chief Engineer and part-owner.
At EMS, I love to take sounds and push them to their sonic limit. Whether I am helping an artist record their next album or working on a podcast or film, I am passionate about helping creatives bring their visions to life while exploring new and unique techniques. I get to work with so many talented and inspiring people and I feel very lucky to do what I love every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Eastside Music Studios didn’t get to where it is today without a few roadblocks. It hasn’t always been easy, but always worth it! The biggest struggle is building our reputation within the creative community as a new studio. For any new business, it takes time to make your mark. We’re working hard to put out great work and make sure our clients are happy because with each happy client, our reputation grows stronger.
And of course, the pandemic has been a major struggle. With venues shutting down as a result of COVID, musicians have fewer gigs, which means many don’t have the funds for studio time. Not to mention the health concerns of being in close spaces together to record music.
Just like everyone else, we learned how to adapt to online music lessons at the school and remote sessions with artists. We are slowly returning back to where we want to be!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Eastside Music Studios is a boutique recording studio in the heart of downtown Austin. If you’ve seen all the cool new shopping opening up on east 5th street (like Whole Foods, Target, Hop Doddy, etc…), that’s where we are at! Right on the corner of 5th and I35 in the 501 production building. From hourly rates up to entire project packages, we help our clients get the sound they’re after. We do custom music, voice-over/ADR work, sound design, podcasts, and mixing.
We’re known for treating each and every project with the utmost care and attentiveness. Our most important client is the client that we’re working with at the moment. Whether it’s your first time sharing your music or you’re releasing a feature film, we want to work with you every step of the way to make your vision come to life. We want our clients to know that no matter where they are at in their careers, their work is important.
We are proud of the outstanding musicians and creators who have come through our studio to perfect their work and share it with the world. They inspire us every day!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in a military family where we moved a lot. I’m grateful for this experience because it made me very adaptable. I enjoy meeting new people and can find something in common with almost anyone. I love to travel to new places, try new things, and learn something new, no matter how random. My family is also a huge UT family, which influenced my love for UT football and this amazing city.
I think my upbringing played a role in my love for music because music is something you can bring with you wherever you go.
Contact Info:
- Email: recording@eastsidemusic.com
- Website: https://eastsidemusic.com/recording-studio-austin-texas/
- Instagram: @eastsidemusicstudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Eastsidemusic
Image Credits
Shane Ware, Rachel Kay
