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

Hi Mark, is there something you believe many others might not?
I’ve never believed in having a backup plan.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I make records with bands and artists from all over and operate primarily out of a studio I set up awhile back called The Station House. Running my own place was something I wanted to do from about the time I got interested in recording, which I got into through playing drums and studying percussion in college. I realized at that time that I needed to develop the skills to engineer, run sessions, etc. so I started from the ground up in my hometown (Atlanta, GA) interning, then assisting, then being trusted enough to engineer and eventually contribute ideas. After about 8 years of doing that I moved to L.A. in 2003 and jumped into more engineering and mixing and just trying to work and learn anything I could. I had slowly been accumulating equipment over time and by 2007 or so I put it all together under one roof and made that my home base. I feel like I have alot of patience for people so I like to set up a relaxed and comfortable environment so folks can create and perform and not get too worked up over things and to feel like they are working with someone that is sympathetic to what they are trying to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d probably get them tickets to a D0dger’s game and wish them a good time while I get back to work.

Restaurants can be a little iffy because they don’t seem to last very long here, so I’d probably take them to a place that is part of the scenery so maybe Musso & Frank’s, Canter’s, Philippe’s, Cole’s, etc. Someone took me to Fogo de Chao one year for my birthday and that kind of blew me away.

Any kind of day time hang for me requires coffee so maybe Wood Cat or Stories in Echo Park.

Go for a walk in Elysian Park or if there’s time head on up to Big Bear

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?
The Humane Society

Website: www.markrains.net

Instagram: @stationhousestudio

Image Credits
Chris Camargo Brenda Carsey

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.