United Recording: Matt Linesch Produces/Engineers Mike Mangione & The Union
Pictured in Studio B at United Recording are (L-R) Josh Collazo, drums: Tom Mangione, guitar; Matt Linesch, producer/engineer; Mike Mangione, guitar/vocals; and Seth Ford-Young, bass. Photo by David Goggin.
Prolific producer and recording engineer Matt “Linny” Linesch takes the helm at United Recording in Hollywood for the fifth album from Chicago’s Mike Mangione & The Union. Linesch has been tracking the band in United’s renowned Studio B, while overdubbing in his adjacent private studio at United.
Linesch, well known for his work with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, met bandleader Mike Mangione through his Magnetic Zeros family. Linesch’s traditional approach to making records, coupled with a young “Los Angeles” groomed ear, made him a perfect fit for weaving together the sounds of Mike Mangione’s album.
“I took a listen to their new songs,” Linesch recalls, “and I immediately heard excitement — they were very prepared and ready to start recording. It’s been a lot of fun working with them, a creative process where we’ve really been able to try new things. The songs are unfolding by themselves, which is always the best case scenario.”
Mike and Tom Mangione grew up playing together in Chicago. With roots in folk and blues, the brothers began writing and touring in 2004. Over the years, they have added other musicians and instruments, including violin, cello, upright bass and drums, eventually developing the orchestral folk sound they are known for.
Mike Mangione explained, “What is amazing about United is the great vibe, and you have this amazing history, and there are great artists working in the other studios, really inspiring artists. The United people really welcome you and make you feel comfortable so that you can relax, and do what you’re here to do – create music and not worry about distractions that can come with other studios.”
Matt Linesch added, “I’ve been working with drummer Josh and bass player Seth for four years with Edward Sharpe. To have them as part of the process was really great, because I know what their creativity is like, I know how they play; I know where I can push them in certain directions. I also know their instincts. A lot of the time, it’s a matter of knowing when to give opinions and direction, and other times to sit back and kind of lead the horse to water and let them work it out. Tracking was a really seamless, fun weekend, and now we’re starting with overdubbing. We have an incredible place to start from, a really great foundation. Yeah!”
About United Recording
United Recording was founded in 1957 by the legendary recording engineer and electronics inventor Bill Putnam with the backing of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The studios were acquired and renamed Ocean Way Recording in 1977, and after acquisition in 2013 by Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., were re-launched under the original name in 2014. United Recording, one of the world’s most recognized music recording studios, with more awards than any other recording enterprise, is responsible for record sales of more than one billion units.
Learn more at: http://www.unitedrecordingstudios.com/