ENGINE EARS DOC

Steve Albini has worked on thousands of recordings over his long career as an engineer.

He's known for his no-bullshit attitude and his stunning ability to capture pure sounds on analogue.

https://www.instagram.com/engineears_doc/

http://www.electricalaudio.com

an MacKaye is the ultimate DIY King, notorious for his unwavering punk rock sensibilities.

He's known for his longstanding band Fugazi, Minor Threat, The Teen Idles, The Evens and his record label Dischord Records, in DC.

Make sure to enjoy and share. xo ~ VB

This a one minute taste of an interview of Calvin Johnson of Dub Narcotic Studios in Olympia, Washington for the documentary Engine Ears.

Calvin is a musician with the band Dub Narcotic Sound System, an engineer and owner K Records in Olympia.

https://shop.krecs.com
www.violetbiggsproductions.com

The Birth of Engine Ears

In 2001, I finished my first documentary, 'Are You on the Menu?' which left me with a thirst to create more!

Music and photography have always been my saviour, my passion, and so I thought why not marry the two? When I listen to music, I decipher and appreciate nuances and feel the messages brought by the engineers, producers and artists.

We all perceive in our own way and I believe the art of recording acts as it's own stage. Feeling, the majority of people do not venture that deep when it comes to interpreting these messages, I decided to bring them to light.

My first recruit for Engine Ears was the renowned Steve Albini. Setting the stage with Steve on board helped me round up many other notable engineers and producers who have a respect and camaraderie with and for his work.

When planning the film, the music industry was deciding whether or not to abandon the analogue world, with the digital world being introduced. Same goes for my formatting. When I started the film, I had a Hi8 camera until I graduated to a DV Cam (digital video). We were all moving in that the direction. Some stay true to using analogue only formats, while others infiltrate both formats and some solely digital.
It's all a matter of preference, style and desired outcome.

Engine Ears is chalk full of wonderful artists. I chose them out of a respect for the results of their work.

When interviewing, my style is character-based more than anything.
I draw out the best in people through my enthusiastic respect for their process and enjoyment of the end result.

Throughout the film, I experimented with different recording techniques and equipment, so I could have a log to share my results with you.

I spent 4 years shooting this very amazing experience, collecting footage throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

It's been incubating for a while now, but soon Engine Ears with be born!

I hope you enjoy the ride!

xo Holly aka Violet

The Birth of Engine Ears

In 2001, I finished my first documentary, 'Are You on the Menu?' which left me with a thirst to create more!

Music and photography have always been my saviour, my passion, and so I thought why not marry the two? When I listen to music, I decipher and appreciate nuances and feel the messages brought by the engineers, producers and artists.

We all perceive in our own way and I believe the art of recording acts as it's own stage. Feeling, the majority of people do not venture that deep when it comes to interpreting these messages, I decided to bring them to light.

My first recruit for Engine Ears was the renowned Steve Albini. Setting the stage with Steve on board helped me round up many other notable engineers and producers who have a respect and camaraderie with and for his work.

When planning the film, the music industry was deciding whether or not to abandon the analogue world, with the digital world being introduced. Same goes for my formatting. When I started the film, I had a Hi8 camera until I graduated to a DV Cam (digital video). We were all moving in that the direction. Some stay true to using analogue only formats, while others infiltrate both formats and some solely digital.
It's all a matter of preference, style and desired outcome.

Engine Ears is chalk full of wonderful artists. I chose them out of a respect for the results of their work.

When interviewing, my style is character-based more than anything.
I draw out the best in people through my enthusiastic respect for their process and enjoyment of the end result.

Throughout the film, I experimented with different recording techniques and equipment, so I could have a log to share my results with you.

I spent 4 years shooting this very amazing experience, collecting footage throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

It's been incubating for a while now, but soon Engine Ears with be born!

I hope you enjoy the ride!

xo Holly aka Violet

Elisabeth Esselink aka Solex is a pop-electronica based Dutch composer. We did this interview in her record shop in Amsterdam in 2004.

She makes unique sounds with samplers adding her own original vocal overlays. She is also known as a remixer.

http://www.solex.net

Richie Hawtin is not only a renowned DJ, but also an innovative inventor and owner of two records labels; Plus8 and M-nus.

His popularity hasn't wained for decades due to his progressive attitude towards always pushing the envelope.

http://m-nus.com

In 2003 I interviewed Jim Waters at his studio Waterworks West in Tucson, AZ. Shortly after, Jim asked me to return so I could film a band from France, The Little Rabbits recording a soundtrack for a film with Vanessa Paradis.

It was a lot of fun! I stayed in Tucson for a week and made great friends with everyone in the band.

The Little Rabbits have since disbanded, however the members all still play together in various other bands.

Federico's latest endeavour is half of the experimental duo Moon Gogo.

Being a true New Orleans native, Chris Finney extended hospitality to me when I attended the 2005 Tape Op Conference in NOLA.
He has been working in studios for over 30 years as an engineer, producer, mixer and musician.
His credits include working with rockers such as Randy Newman and Dr. John to native Brass Bands.
He can also be credited for teaching students engineering basics through Tipitina's in NOLA.

Larry Crane is the owner and engineer at Jackpot! Recordings in Portland Oregon. He's also the founder of Tape Op Magazine.

Larry's help has been paramount in the production of Engine Ears!

I was doubly fortunate to get to interview Matt when he was touring with Jon Spencer as the other half of Heavy Trash.

Matt has been recording for nearly 30 years at his studio
NY Hed, located in the Lower East of New York.

http://www.nyhed.com

Front man for Pussy Galore, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Boss Hog and Heavy Trash; Spencer has been one of my favourite Rock N Roll artists for over 20 years!
In 2004, I visited Waterworks West in Tucson AZ, owned by engineer Jim Waters, who recorded a large portion of the Blues Explosion albums.

It was a dream come true to meet and interview Jon (along with Matt Vert-Ray) for Engine Ears.

After falling in love with the recordings on Peter Gabriel's Passion, Bottrill was a must have for the film. He was the first subject I interviewed for Engine Ears at Armour Studio, on my way to Tape Op Con 2003 in Portland.

He started out in Bob Lanois' suited in Hamilton, Ontario over 30 years ago. He makes himself indispensable to artists and is sought out all over the world.
What a gentle, humble and talented man!

Jim Waters is the owner of Waterworks West in Tucson, AZ where he records, produces and remixes.

Jim works with a wide range artists from such legends as Sonic Youth, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion to The Butterscotch Cathedral.
In 2003, I was fortunate enough to spend a week with him and The Little Rabbits (Nantes, France) in the studio while they recorded a soundtrack for a the French film; Atomic Circus.

Jim is know for his sense of humour and awesome work ethic!

http://www.waterworksrecording.com

I met John Parish in Tucson in 2003, he invited me to interview him in Bristol, so the next year I traveled abroad to conduct more interviews for Engine Ears.
John was so hospitable warm and knowledgable.

I am very fortunate to have him included in the film!

http://www.john-parish.com
www.violetbiggsproductions.com

A little taste of the intro for the upcoming series; Engine Ears Doc.

Enjoy xo ~VB

Don is the owner of Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia.
He's been recording as far back as the 50s.

I was fortunate enough to interview him at Inner Ear and then meet up again with him at the 2004 Tape Op Conference in New Orleans.

Don's best known for recording Fugazi and Minor Threat in their hay day.

The new website for Engine Ears is coming, but in the meantime you can find references on this channel on Instagram @engineears_doc and www.violetbiggsproductions.com