Andrew
K. Spence Film Composer l producer
I musician I Andrew Spence Studios
History: Remember the music from the film
'Rum Diary' - then you've heard the work of Andrew Spence. In addition
to performing trumpet, playing the Hammond organ, piano and voice
(2 Grammy Submissions), Spence arranged and produced and is also
credited as one of the mixers on the CD. In 1997 SONY released his
song, Mystic Karma. Spence's scores have graced indie to top A-
and B-List films to include: music production and soundscapes for
Sam Raimi's, 'Drag Me To Hell', Priest (co-production with Christopher
Young), music producer and musician for the Johnny Depp film, 'The
Rum Diary', to the massive 'stylistic' orchestral score for the
internationally released 'The Millennium Bug' - to name a few. Andrew
is also busy as a music producer for new up and coming Artist from
Disney's NBT (Ladina Spence) with her single, 'Leave The Lights
On', Nickelodeon (Amber Montana) through to European successes with
DJ Antoine, featuring Ladina Spence on the song, 'Without You'.
Working with Natalie Cole on the film, 'Black Tulip' Andrew is equally
at home in Jazz, Pop or Blues and has arranging and mixing chops
with a musicial sensitivity to move between genres. Andrew works
out of his music studio complex based in Los Angeles, CA. Combining
his skills as a performer (Glady's knight, Jose Carreras, Frank
Sinatra, Louie Bellson, The Drifters, Joe Cocker) and having studied
classical and jazz with experience in many styles, Andrew easily
translates his musicianship into arranging, production and mixing.
Spence's hands on experience for 20+ years as mixer was inspired
by a master classs with Bruce Swedien (Quincy Jones's engineer on
'Thriller').
Spence worked on Oscar-winning documentary Icarus project. He also produced music for Natalie Cole for the film Black Tulip.
"I think
chords are amazing, just one variation can put us in a blues, rock
or jazz feel, its good to be open to 'new harmonic concepts,' says
Spence.
Andrew has transferred his arranging skills from the film medium
to music production. "Same techniques used in film apply, adding
color and bringing drama to a production. A song can tell the story
through good lyrics and an emotional orchestration, be it a jazz
ballad, rock, hip hop or pop."
Andrew who has collaborated with top mixers like Grammy-winner Rafa
Sardina, sums up his mixing philosophy: "I listen to what the
artist wants and offer a sonic concept to achieve those goals. Technology
is on our side. I hear an Analog vibe coming through my mixes -
achieved through a combination of Analog outboard gear and Digital
analog emulation plug ins. In the end the mix starts with great
EARS!"
What words of wisdom does Andrew have about the current music industry
landscape? "It is a fast paced & dynamic industry. There
are so many new ways of getting your music heard and monetized.
At the end, it all starts with a great artist, great songs and production.
Radio and marketing is still key to getting your music out to the
masses." Andrew has co-written with many artists - he likes
to show young artists how to get more out of their songs by writing
together or finding the best material for them. "Not all great
singers are songwriters. Everyone needs good material."
Andrew's favorite
studio gear includes "Summit Audio EQP 200B Tube Equalizer,
Peluso P-49 Tube Mic and UAD Apollo interface!"
When asked to describe the process of artist development, Andrew
simply says: "Believe in your talent. It all has to start with
great music. And never give up as the break you have been working
so hard for is just around the corner! "
AWARDS include:
Schlitz Jazz Award (from Joe Zawinul), 2012 SESAC award for music
for the film 'PRIEST', 2 Grammy submissions (2012) for his trumpet
and mixing work on Johnny Depp's 'The Rum Diary' and as re-recording
mixer on short film, "SMILF', (Sundance 2015 jury award winner)
