Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Clay.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in the Midwest, and attended Webster University in St. Louis, MO where I started producing while studying audio engineering. Working with artists from the St Louis area like Matty Wood$, CrashJordy, Anwar, Drevegas and more, I was able to adapt my craft. Closing out my Junior year of college the program was changed, this led to me having to stay an extra year to finish up the degree. With all this, I was also being evicted from my apartment for noise complaints, so I ended up dropping out and moved to Atlanta at the end of 2019.
Moving to Atlanta, just like expected, would be my best decision. I locked in on finishing my project EverybodyHatesChris while trying to find a studio to work or intern at. This quickly turned into working with local upcoming artists like Nutso Thugn, Fluhkunxhkos, Lil $horty, and Digital Nas. I also was getting random sessions here and there around the city but nothing consistent to really be making a living off.
I started interning at FiveStarProduction for a few months, where I was working 12+ hour unpaid shifts. There I would assist sessions, clean the studio and make runs for the artists or engineers. In the downtime at this studio, I would be mixing or making beats. Some nights wouldn’t be busy and I would just sneak into the studio to cook up in the studio instead of at the front desk. After a few months of no progress towards actually running sessions, I decided to make a change. Coronavirus was starting to become a big pandemic and everything started closing, so I found a little studio to work at where I could focus on the fundamentals of recording and mixing. Coronavirus almost boosted the amount of business at the time. We were one of the only studios still open at the time, so I was recording 40-60 hrs a week and started sleeping at the studio.
Summer 2020, I started at Rare Sound Studios. Here I have been able to start running sessions and engineer there consistently. Started recording sessions for TrueStoryGee, Seddy Hendrinx and more. Also working closely with Mix Engineer “SoloMixed,” I have been focusing on more of the mixing aspect of engineering, landing a mixing credits to an artist like Gunna, 95reddo, Lotto Savage, Miss Raindrop, and various other artists across the internet. Also, I have been closely working with Thouxanbanfauni. After many sessions between Atlanta and LA, I became one of his go-to engineer’s while also producing for him as well. “Styro Stains”, off his most recent album Clairvoyance, was recorded in our first few sessions in Atlanta and came out at the end of June.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had to make a choice whether to stay in school for two more years or drop out and lock-in. I was soon evicted from my apartment in Edwardsville, IL so I just made the decision to move to Atlanta. Long shifts of interning for free while still not knowing how I’m going to eat at night.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My artist credits include: an album titled EverybodyHatesChris, and two beat tapes, Play’n With Synths and Startrak.
My production credits include: Thouxanbanfauni, CrashJordy, Matty Wood$, Nutso Thugn, and more.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My natural drive for wanting to be better and progressing through countless hours of work. I really just enjoy making music and seeing little ideas get to their fullest potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: isthatchris.com
- Email: info@stardom-records.com
- Instagram: https://twitter.com/chrisclay_
_ - Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/
chrisclay__/?hl=en - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
artist/5I5CwwAiE4dQCd2kkhvJyA
Image Credit:
Newlife.prod, Milelage, Rasheen Holland, Kasprim, Waterplus
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