Meet Patrick Hanlin | Writer, Record Producer, Filmmaker

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

Hi Patrick, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I think a necessary ingredient in starting a business is to center it around a truly novel concept: something unique that will set you apart from other folk doing the same thing. I did a lot of research when I started my business, and one theme in particular kept coming up: find a problem in your industry and try to solve it. In approaching my business this way, I was able to find a space that was truly my own!

For my industry in music, I knew that recording studios were quite expensive; that artists were becoming increasingly more independent and no longer had major label budgets to throw around, and that video content was becoming increasingly more important to musicians. I also knew that video was generally quite expensive, and that bands needed a way to sustainably promote their music without losing their shirt every time they wanted to release a song. These days the algorithms used by platforms like Spotify heavily favor releasing singles consistently every two months, which meant that each song needed a bevy of content, making the idea of releasing multiple songs per year quite expensive.

So I looked at my skillsets and found a way to combine them in a way that would allow me to be of service to other artists and musicians. I started finding ways to merge writing, recording, and film in a way that would be authentic, attractive, and affordable. As a writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist I felt that I had intimate knowledge of the needs of other artists, and I knew that my work could feel just as creative and “artful” as the music that artists were bringing to me. This was critical in a landscape where many videographers and recording engineers were not writers or musicians. I often saw that even the most talented and expensive video creators and studio engineers would often bring a more “big box,” slick, tv-broadcast style aesthetic. In comparison I found my style to be more vintage-tuned, maybe more “authentic” or natural-feeling, using lots of tape saturation and film grain. This both set me apart from the more expensive highly produced options out there, and also allowed me to lean more into my own natural or personal style!

And, the secret sauce: since I was able to be both a writer, player, producer, engineer, filmmaker and editor, my work became much more affordable then having to hire an army of professionals to do the same job!

Over the first few years I tried out a lot of ideas, including offering photography and graphic design work (through outsourcing–I’d accrued a pretty strong network of other artists and designers while making my way through the industry), and I saw what was working and what wasn’t. When I saw something working, I leaned into it! And when it wasn’t, I didn’t try to fit that square peg into a round hole. Over time I was able to whittle down my business, focusing on the things that were really working well!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One thing I love about my business is that it allows me to feed my ADHD brain. One day I’m producing a reggae cover of “Pure Imagination” for a Sirius XM channel, the next I’m co-writing at my house with one of my favorite artists, or playing my first arena show, arranging a string section for my own band, or filming a live performance inside a castle by the sea. I get to record and produce music for some of my favorite artists, who also happen to be some of my very best friends. I’m infinitely grateful for the ways I’m able to make a living, and couldn’t imagine myself living any other kind of life than this.

My musical aesthetic is often very dramatic, and cinematic. I want immersion and escapism in my art, and try to take any potential listeners on a grand adventure, or allow them to fully sink into a vibe or mood. My writing and playing can be a bit more composed, focusing less on the chops I used to have as a musician and more on “playing the orchestra,” placing each piece like a puzzle to create a perfect fit. It’s important though that my art doesn’t get lost in more mechanical technique; an old friend and one of my favorite living guitarists Peter Lalish, who plays in one of my all-time favorite bands Lucius, has often reminded me to allow for “happy accidents” in arranging, recording, or producing a song.

I love being a record producer because it allows me to work within a very broad range of genres. Nearly all my music and recording has some sort of “indie” appeal, most often using real drums, acoustic pianos, vintage keyboards and analog synths, weird-sounding guitar pedals, classic 808 samples–hardly any of it sounds like a major, modern pop song. But it all sounds big and fat and exciting and original! I love turning a song on its head, making Stones-style rock and roll versions out of an old folksy song, or turning a Tame Impala psych-rock song into an old Motown groove. Some my original music often sounds conceptual and cinematic, as I am and always will be an ultra-super fan of film. But as a Berklee alumni (2006, I’m an old man!) I was “Whiplashed” into dialing in many different techniques and playing styles.

Though the acquiring of musical talent certainly wasn’t “easy,” it never really ever felt that difficult either, I was always just doing that thing I really loved. There wasn’t really much of a choice in it: to not work and strive to make the “best thing yet” always came as an intrinsic need. It’s probably why I can often be quite picky as a producer!

In terms of what I’d want the world to know: for me it’s always been as simple as wanting to share the things I make with as many people as I can, and wanting to work with as many amazing people as possible! I love creation and collaboration! And if that’s something you love too, please know that there absolutely is a path for you to turn that desire into an occupation!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m often merging visits with collaboration. I think a “best week ever” might include introducing my friend with some other amazing people, that may be artists or creatives, people with great stories that are easy to talk to. It might mean linking up at an incredible Boston studio like Q-Division, Zippah, or Wooly Mammoth, for some recording or filming. We’d go to unique restaurants and cocktail joints like Bespoke in Somerville or Myers+Chang in Boston. I’d definitely check to see who’s playing at Boston’s “Bowery Presents” venues like Sinclair, Royale, or Roadrunner, as well as the smaller rooms like Lizard Lounge or Mideast Club. We could trip up to New Hampshire or Vermont for hiking or camping, or find an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere and bring a pack of friends for a long weekend of campfires and outdoor hanging!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My entrepreneurial hero, biggest cheerleader, and best friend Josh Shriber is unequivocally the #1 reason why I’m able to do any of this work. There was a time when I had absolutely no idea how to press a record button or produce a band. Josh gave me the opportunity to do this full-time, even when I honestly had no idea what I was doing. He saw something in me, and gave me the tools and space needed to learn and thrive. In the simplest terms, there is absolutely no way I would be producing music without his support and encouragement.

Chris “Crickie” Thomas and his right-hand man Joe Mahoney over at Charlestown AV are also a very big reason why I’m able to do any of this! I spent so many formative years in their studio, being recorded and filmed by them. They continue to be inspirational to me–they’re amazing humans and supreme masters of their craft. They never hesitated to answer any questions I may have had with recording or film, and have always been enormously supportive of me.

Website: www.revivalhouserecords.com

Instagram: @revivalhouserecords

Facebook: /Revivalhouserecords

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AdgdIpdyKE

Other: For a sneak peek of my very own band Dead Messengers: www.deadmess.com Featuring members of Lucius, Zac Brown Band, Billy Gilman, Bombino. I’m probably most excited about the album I’m about to share, that I recorded and producer for an artist and friend Troy Ramey. Troy is an exceptional singer, songwriter, and human person. His stint on “The Voice” landed him a top 12 finish on the show, and started opening a lot of doors for his original music. Now, as a fully independent artist, troy has garnered nearly 10 million Spotify streams and over 300,000 monthly listeners. The album we’ll be releasing is maybe the best record I’ve ever produced. The level of trust and collaboration was incredible! Music’s coming soon, please get in touch if you’d like to hear a teaser, and be on the lookout for Troy’s upcoming singles!!

Image Credits
AJ Rebbechi Colette Auger