My Safari Pedals Road Trip: Final Stop in LA

Hey Y'all!

My incredibly fabulous Safari Pedals road trip has been a blast but is sadly coming to an end. This week, I’m excited to give you the scoop on my final stop: LA, and what I learned while filming the new Safari Pedals video series, "Abi On The Road".

LA Highlights: Smoothies and Studio Adventures

Obviously (besides exploring the vibe-ullar music scene) my LA highlight was buying a slightly overpriced smoothie from Erewhon hehe, and yes it was the Hailey Bieber Smoothie. Please don’t judge me, thanks!!!

Santa Monica: A Creative Kickoff

My first content excursion was in Santa Monica, where I had a blast chatting and filming with Engineer Thomas Warren (Dominic Fike, Charli XCX, Sam Smith) and Zev, Producer and Founder of The Kitchen Studios. 

Thomas’s approach to mixing was incredibly fascinating. He trained under producers rather than engineers. He emphasizes respecting the producer’s rough mix, building on what they’ve already done rather than just trying to make it "sound better”. We also discussed how being based in California AKA the music capital of the world, influences his sonics. He said the ever-evolving music scene forces him to stay current with what's hot musically and to keep up with all the up-and-coming artists and producers.

The LA Music Scene: Insights from Zev

Zev and I discussed how his background as an instrumentalist and his experience in Hip Hop and R&B gave him an edge in the LA music scene. It allowed him to work on records and handle sound design and loop making for Hip Hop projects. He also noted that being based in LA introduced him to electronic music production and heavier sonic processing.

Key Takeaways: Versatility and Evolution

My takeaway from my chats with both Thomas and Zev really drove home the importance of being versatile and ever evolving. How staying current with trends, and embracing new genres are crucial for success in the dynamic world of music. The versatility allows you to blend various influences and approaches, while being ever evolving ensures you remain relevant in an industry that is so fast paced.

A Revolutionary Experience with Jeff Ellis Worldwide

My final LA stop was at the famous and fabulous EastWest Studios to chat with Grammy Award-winning Engineer Jeff Ellis Worldwide (Frank Ocean, The Neighborhood, Doja Cat) and his legendary dog, Murphy Whitefoot Worldwide.

Jeff and I discussed his unique “Principle-Based” approach to mixing, which revolves around a set of principles rather than following preconceived notions of “how a mix should sound”. For example, instead of defaulting to throwing an SSL Master Bus compressor on the stereo bus just because it's common practice, he evaluates whether Master Bus compression even serves the song’s aesthetic at all. It may be actually harming the song's aesthetic: throwing off the pocket of the drums, and squashing the song for no reason.

We also discussed how Jeff views himself as the conductor of an orchestra when he mixes on his console, guiding the different elements and "players" of the mix. Instead of adhering to mix rules like "My vocal must peak at X dB," he focuses on what the song needs at each moment. Meaning the vocals may be super loud in one part of the song and very quiet in another- if that is what the song NEEDS. This provides him with maximum fluidity ultimately serving the song rather than fitting it into predefined mix rules.

These insights were revolutionary for me, especially as a young producer. It inspired me to set out on my own sonic journey and focus on becoming a music free thinker. Rather than following established mix norms and production "rules"—like the common SSL Master Bus Compressor on the stereo bus. Jeff showed me the value of questioning conventions and focusing on what best serves the song.

Conclusion: A 10/10 Slay

All in all, LA was a 10/10 slay, and I look forward to my next visit!!! Traveling and exploring the music scene across the US has inspired me and sparked excitement to get back to my studio and integrate all the knowledge and techniques I've learned. For any young producers or engineers hesitant to step out of their comfort zone and travel—DO THE THANG. It will broaden your musical horizons and expand your worldview, making it a definite slay in my book!!!

Thanks for tuning in!
Will catch y’all next blog!