56. He Taught Himself to Produce, Mix, and Master: Julian Martinez of Midnight Spies

Julian Martinez taught himself to produce, mix, and master music from his bedroom, and now he's finishing a debut album that sounds like it came out of a professional studio.The guitarist, songwriter, and producer behind Houston-born duo Midnight Spies has spent the better part of the last half decade writing, tracking, mixing, and learning how to do it all himself. He and bassist Matt Newton started the project during the pandemic, taught themselves production from scratch, and now they’re finishing a debut album that spans new wave, synth pop, Brit pop, and funk, all without a label, a big budget, or a plan to slow down. Julian sat down with Julian Jones to talk about the grind behind the sound, what it’s like to chase a dream that doesn’t pay yet, and why playing White Oak Music Hall felt like arriving 10 years early.In this conversation, we get into:How Midnight Spies blend The Cure, Bleachers, and Prince into one cohesive soundWriting an album over five years and why the EP came out of it sidewaysLearning to produce, mix, and master your own music from scratchWhy music moves in 25-year cycles and what that means for bands right nowThe imposter syndrome that inspired their single “The Owl Sees All”About Julian Martinez / Midnight Spies:Midnight Spies is a new wave and synth pop duo from Houston (now Austin), TX, formed by guitarist/producer Julian Martinez and bassist/vocalist Matthew Newton. Their sound draws from The Police, Bleachers, 1975, and 80s Brit pop. Their debut album is expected later in 2026.Connect with Midnight Spies:Linktree: linktr.ee/midnightspiesMusic Mentioned in this Episode:Songs:If It’s Happening Again — Midnight SpiesPlay It Like New York — Midnight SpiesIn This House — Midnight SpiesThe Owl Sees All — Midnight SpiesSex on Fire — Kings of LeonGet Better — BleachersSomebody Else — The 1975Sex — The 1975Chocolate — The 1975If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) — The 1975It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You) — The 1975Female Robbery — The NeighbourhoodMy Love — Justin TimberlakeToxic — Britney SpearsEspresso — Sabrina CarpenterThe Chain — Fleetwood MacMr. Brightside — The KillersVoodoo Child — Jimi HendrixAlbums & Projects:Midnight Spies EP — Midnight SpiesOnly by the Night — Kings of LeonCarrie & Lowell — Sufjan StevensFutureSex/LoveSounds — Justin TimberlakeMaster of Reality — Black SabbathParanoid — Black SabbathArtists & Bands:Midnight SpiesKings of LeonBleachers / Jack AntonoffThe 1975The NeighbourhoodThe CureThe PoliceBlue NileSufjan StevensJustin TimberlakeKendrick LamarThe StrokesQueens of the Stone AgeFoo FightersImagine DragonsFleetwood MacThe KillersMy Chemical RomancePrimusBlack SabbathRushJimi HendrixStevie Ray VaughanLed ZeppelinPrinceMadonnaBritney SpearsTame ImpalaOlivia RodrigoSabrina CarpenterNellyPharrell / The NeptunesTaylor SwiftBruno MarsAdeleAmy WinehouseLogicMagnolia ParkThe ParadoxJunkyard CatNew ShopDaft PunkJoy WaveKing DiamondThe MisfitsThe Clash-------------Follow the OFFICIAL "loves music" playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX"loves music" playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the "loves music" podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://a.co/d/0hzWNkiDThis podcast is managed by Wildwave Podcasting: https://www.wildwavepodcasting.com