Meet Gal Bushy | Music Producer, Studio Mixing Engineer, and Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gal Bushy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gal, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I felt limited in the environment that I was in and being entrepreneurial by nature it seemed like the logical next step.

In 2019 I had been at the commercial studio I was working at for a little over 3 years and realized that it was time for me to take on a studio of my own. I wanted to bring in bands, artists, and songwriters to produce in addition to mixing and recording. I went to the UK for a little trip and when I returned I found what is now Room 2 Studios.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started off my career as a music producer when my first serious band began working on our first record. As a guitarist and songwriter I was very influenced from the world of the great British guitarists, namely Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore, and I would bring that energy into the studio with me. Along the way I fell in love with the production process and realized that my technical mind was really enjoying the engineering aspect of things. I decided to go back to school to study audio engineering and production before working as a runner and then working my way up at various studios. Eventually I wanted to make more money and work with artists who I connected with on my terms. I felt like my potential was being hindered working under someone else and that I had outgrown the place I found myself in. With the support of my family I decided to take a leap of faith in myself and lease what is now Room 2 Studios. As someone who came from a rock n roll background, I pride myself on the vast knowledge of classic recording and production techniques I have accumulated over a lifetime of listening and studying. Applying this aspect of myself into modern pop production has been very valuable for me because I am able to offer a different perspective and an entirely different approach to a new sound. I am also a very good communicator and listener which is crucial when working in a creative and collaborative setting. A good producer must listen to the artists’ vision and leave the ego at the door.

Embarking on a creative career path is difficult. Adding in entrepreneurial endeavors into the mix will inherently make things even more difficult but to say that it’s worth it is an understatement. There is no greater satisfaction I have experienced than knowing that I built this reality with my mind and my two hands. It can be really daunting and scary taking on a business mindset when coming from a creative background but I believe that those who are resilient and determined will do whatever it takes to achieve the goals and dreams. Patience is also key. Working with urgency is important but understanding that things take time have made me less self-critical and has helped me stay grounded. Many times we give up before we allow the opportunity to present itself.

Overall I think that consistency and determination have helped me reach this point in my life and career and I am positive that this is the key to success in anything. Today I am proud that I have cultivated my own “sound” and that I have been able to bridge between my love of rock music and modern pop production. I feel like this is still only the beginning and there is much more excitement to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Alright we’ve gotta get the woowoo stuff out of the way –

Malibu, the promenade, Venice, parts of Hollywood, Mullholland look outs, a Topanga Canyon or Malibu Canyon drive onto PCH, Six Flags if they’re into that, Disney if they’re into that, the strip, city walk. But then we need to get to the real LA.

Hitting up Silverlake or Los Feliz for some live music, Harvard & Stone for a drink on the way to Thai Town. Melrose trading post/Melrose blvd shopping. Check out the Santee Alley in DTLA, walk around the open mall in Little Tokyo – go to Rakkan Ramen while there and check out the barcade. LA is all about pockets so you’ve gotta wander to find the cool stuff. Art’s district in DTLA, parts of Ventura Blvd between Studio City and Sherman Oaks, walk around WeHo (preferably after dark), KTown bar hopping and kbbq-ing, taco trucks (Reubens tacos), the Fairfax Circuit (stop at the Kibbitz Room and grab a pastry next door), LACMA and The Getty, Go Kart World in Carson for some Eurotrack madness, a roof top bar or two, and most likely a warehouse party.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Michael F*ing Dubin.

You know when life introduces you to people who will literally change your life? That’s who Mike is to me.

I met Mike while he was playing drums at a Temple I used to do live sound at during an event. At that time he was down by the water in the Marina and Room 2 Studios is in Atwater Village so the distance and our schedules prevented us from meeting up. Then covid happened and after years of talking about recording something we finally made it happen. The musical chemistry was instant and we vibed on rock n roll, guitars, drums, blues, lifestyle and about orienting your energy. Mike is a Guro, he’s training under and with the same people that trained with Bruce Lee at the Inosanto Academy – literally. Be like water. IYKYK. So Mike helped me understand these deep concepts, he helped me realize how be like water, how to fit in the cup. A year later, 3 singles I produced for him, a few other tracks I produced that he drummed on, and a whole lot of fun in between we have become more than just producer – artist dynamic duo, we are great friends. Mike is a brother to me and I am grateful for the wisdom I have gained from him and the experiences that have come with it.

Website: www.galbushy.com

Instagram: @thatbushysound or @room2stu

Twitter: @galbushy

Image Credits
All photos taken by Gal Bushy or Michael Dubin at Room 2 Studios