Production Expert Podcast

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career.Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 2 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career.Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.In This Episode:Career Journey into Audio Production - How Matt Lawrence got started in the audio industry, the path that led to Grammy recognition, and the formative experiences that shaped his career as a mixer and producerWork on Influential Records - Overview of Matt's extensive discography and the iconic projects he's contributed to over the past 20 years in mixing and productionThe Evolution of the Music Industry (2006-2026) - How the music industry has transformed over the past two decades, changes in recording technology, distribution, and the business model for artists and labelsThe Role of Studios in Modern Music Production - What studios look like in 2026, how the role of physical recording spaces has changed, and why certain aspects of professional studios remain invaluableArtists Navigating the Current Landscape - The challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in 2026, from recording and production to promotion and distributionRecord Labels and Industry Structure - How record labels are adapting to the modern music ecosystem, their changing role, and what sustainable relationships look like between labels, artists, and production professionalsTechnology and Production Innovation - Advancements in recording technology, production tools, and mixing techniques that have emerged over Matt's 20-year careerProfessional Insights from Industry Veterans - Lessons learned, perspectives on what it takes to succeed in professional audio, and honest assessment of the current state of music productionAbout Our Guest:Matt Lawrence: Matt Lawrence is a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer with an extensive career spanning over two decades in professional music production. His work has touched some of the most influential records released over the past 20 years, earning him recognition and respect throughout the music industry. With deep experience working across multiple genres and with diverse artists and labels, Lawrence brings authentic perspective on how the music industry operates and the evolution of music production in the modern era.About Our Host:Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).Resources & Links MentionedMatt Lawrence - Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineerGenelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unioSubscribe & FollowSubscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAll major podcast platformsFollow us:Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]SponsorshipThis episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode with Matt Lawrence exploring the music industry landscape of 2026 and his insights on studios, artists, and labels.

"Behind some of the world's greatest hits lies a great question: does constraint breed genius? In this Podcast Edition, Drummer Steven Gilchrist (Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M) and Grammy winning engineer Liam Nolan (Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas) sit down with our Host Ashea to reveal the behind-the-scenes of Adele's 'Hello,' the meticulous process behind the legendary Drumopolis project with Tony Visconti, and what it really takes to engineer records that resonate globally.In This Episode:Inside the Adele 'Hello' sessions: The mic chain that captured one of the biggest vocal performances of the decade (U47, Neve 1081, 1176)How Tony Visconti designed Drumopolis: capturing '70s legend with modern flexibility across 29 microphonesThe Decca tree, room mics, and why a tea towel on the snare matters (vintage tone with intention)Why recording vibe, comfort, and 'reading the room' is non-negotiable—and what that looks like in practiceAnalog vs. digital: the tape machine, commitment, and why limitations can raise the stakes for performanceManaging expectations: why clients listening on car stereos ask for mixes that don't exist, and how to set boundariesDemocratizing music production: why tools like Drumopolis matter beyond the studioWorking with Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas & will.i.am: lessons from sessions with global superstarsAbout Our GuestsLiam NolanLiam Nolan is a recording and mix engineer who has recently transitioned to freelance work after years at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick. Over his career, he's engineered sessions with some of the world's biggest artists, including Adele, Stormzy, Rihanna, AJ Tracey, the Black Eyed Peas, and will.i.am. He was the engineer on Adele's Grammy-winning 'Hello,' credited for his work in a writing session that became chart history. His approach prioritizes artist comfort, technical precision, and understanding the unique sonic demands of each session. He specializes in capturing vocal performances and crafting the sonic identity of records at one of the world's most legendary facilities.Instagram: @liamjnolan | Website: mixedbyliamnolan.comSteven GilchristSteven Gilchrist is an accomplished drummer, percussionist, producer, and engineer. He's performed with legendary artists including Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M. As the owner and operator of Brixton Hill Studios, he works as a session drummer, producer, and engineer. Under his name Stephen Evens, he's currently working on his fifth record, all of which (except the first) have been recorded to tape. He collaborated with Tony Visconti on the Drumopolis project for Toontrack, providing his Ludwig drum kit and his mother's Premier snare for the sound design. Steven is a strong advocate for analog recording, commitment in the studio, and the philosophy that limitation breeds creativity.Instagram: @thestephenevens | Brixton Hill Studios: brixtonhillstudios.comAbout Our HostAsheaAshea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. Her production and mixing credits include work with Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, and SVT1 (Sweden). Through the Production Expert Podcast, she brings industry insiders together to explore the craft, process, and philosophy behind the world's greatest records.Website: asheamusicofficial.com Instagram: @iamasheaFeatured In This Podcast: Metropolis Studios: metropolisstudios.comToontrack Drumopolis SDX: toontrack.comBrixton Hill Studios: brixtonrecording.comGenelec UNIO Monitoring: genelec.com/unioSource Elements Suite: sourceelem