Meet Mickey Jamieson | Recording Engineer, Producer, and Artist

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

Hi Mickey, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
There wasn’t a plan B; music was always the answer. It was the only thing in my life that gave me the passionate response I have for music, even from an early age, and that passion carries into every corner of the music I make. I was having a conversation with a few other recording engineers and producers at Abbey Road this time last year, and when the question arose as to “what was your plan B,” no one had an answer. No one had a backup. If you have a backup plan in music, you’re doing it wrong. If I’m on stage or writing, it’s because I can’t communicate those feelings or experiences in any way, other than through writing and performance. If I’m behind the glass making a record for someone, as an engineer or producer, I’m the lens through which that artist can refine their art and make their voice more clearly heard. There’s something sacred about that, and I don’t think you reach that level with a backup plan. You know that feeling from the moment you first experience it, and I knew it was what I was born to do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It certainly wasn’t easy, but I’m definitely not unique in that respect. I’ve lost track of the amount of time I’ve spent in a studio at 3am, experimenting with different ways of using hardware, different ways to mic things up, and even just listening to the way a live room sounds. Practicing like that is building up a rolodex of information – you may struggle to find something that sounds or feels right, but once you do, it’s easy to come back to. The more of that you do, the more you have to pull from, and the faster you will be.

The same can be said for writing. I’ve spent more time stressed and in tears trying to find the right way to say something, than I have actually saying the right thing, the way I want to say it. It’s especially challenging when you’re working on something intimately meaningful to yourself, and at times it can tear you apart, but the beauty in songwriting is finding the best way to put your own pieces back together. Everyone does that differently. I love found sounds, layered vocals, and analog manipulation (some of the music on my upcoming album features bass made from pitch-shifted whiskey bottle quark pops, percussion made from chopped up rain drops, and even stuff as simple as field recordings). Someone writing about the same thing may be better on an acoustic guitar with a single vocal, but again, it’s how you put the pieces back together.

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?
In New York, there is an abundance of virtually everything – people to see, places to visit, and things to do never run short. This time of year, seeing the cherry blossoms is an absolute must. High bloom is winding down, but visiting the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and/or Roosevelt Island (via the sky tram, of course!) during cherry blossom season is a prerequisite to anything else. The High Line is also fantastic, offering beautiful views of both the city and all-too-rare greenery. As an avid baseball fan, we’d definitely be seeing a game at Yankee Stadium (ideally against my beloved Astros)… though, I’ve never been to Citi Field, so now may be the time! The Empire State Building will sometimes host showings of films, which in and of itself is a cool experience. As for food, I usually cook in, but if there are good shows happening, visiting a jazz club or bar can be extremely fun – my go-tos are Bar Bayeux and Ornithology.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are probably too many people to mention, but I’ll do my best to briefly mention a few of them.

I’d be remiss not talking about my parents. I was extremely lucky that they not only supported my pursuit of music, but actively helped. They hosted full band rehearsals multiple times a week from the time I was around 13 until I graduated college. During the pandemic, they let me take over their house and turn it into a full recording studio (them being out of town probably didn’t hurt that, either!). Of course, they also doubled down on my music career by helping me go to music school. My parents have done more than most would to facilitate this dream.

I also need to shout out the Wadhams Scholars I went to England with (Berklee, 2023). I was constantly pushed to be a better version of myself while at Berklee, but these amazing engineers and producers were and are among the best of our graduating class. Being around that level of excellence day in and day out not only motivated, but necessitated the highest level of performance, and I’m lucky that I got to be a part of that. I’m even more lucky to call the other nine Wadhams Scholars my friends.

Finally, Loyd Warden. He’s a teacher, mentor, and friend to so many, and helped me to become a professional musician. I’m so grateful to him for that, and that he’s asked me to stay on board as his on call engineer and bassist, even after all these years. We were in the running for five Grammy spots last year, and without him, I’m doubtful I’d have made it that far this early in my career. He’s a genius drummer, fantastic producer, and wonderful friend.

Website: https://mickeyjamieson.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mickeyjamiesonmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjamiesonmusic

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/mickeyjamiesonmusic

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mickeyjamiesonmusic

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0aQkdmaLVLW60zom8XhH5w?si=yg40XHY6RrasYBmCQEDQJg

Image Credits
First three images (performance / headshot) by Tyson Jamieson. Last three (studio shots) by Mickey Jamieson.