The Aquarian Studio Profile June 2007

Home Away From Home

by: JJ Koczan 

It's fortunate for a couple of reasons that Billy Atwell (owner, operator and founder of the Hoboken recording studio that bears his name) focuses the majority of his production work on singer-songwriters. First and foremost, he's good at it, as the "Listen" section on ampaudio.net will attest. Second, and a close second at that, is the fact that it's on the fourth floor of the building at 321 Newark St. If you're a musician in a band eager to lug your amplifiers up four floors of stairs, then maybe you should sell that heavy equipment to someone lazier and go work for Mayflower.

If you're coming in via Route 3 (or the Turnpike, for that matter) and would otherwise be headed to the Lincoln Tunnel, as I was, then you'll find Newark St. casually situated down in that mysterious part of Hoboken yet unexplored (read: everywhere but Washington St.). In all honestly, it's not hard to find the studio at all, even though it's not on the vicinage's hipster-laden main drag. Think of yourself as Cortes or some other such imperialist searching out new territory and you'll be there in no time.

A warning to those probably wiser than me anyway: You risk a towing by parking in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. I was fortunate to find my car there when I got back, but apparently that's not always the case. AMP is in the big red brick building on the left side of the street. There is a lot for "tenants" right next to it, all fenced in and cozy. Park there instead and you'll be much better off.

The AMP door was open when I arrived on the fourth floor, and I poked my head in to a kitchen/lounge area replete with couch, fridge, pictures on the wall, stove, etc. Atwell, the captain at his console, came out to greet me, and I was happy to learn that I did indeed have the right place.

Recording equipment is one thing, and the know- how/qualifications of Atwell as a producer and how he got his start recording are another, and I promise I'll get to them shortly. What's even more of a priority to mention is that, in the entranceway to his studio, Atwell has an original Super Mario Bros. arcade game. The original! Not even a remake, the real thing. The NES classic, in arcade form. I don't know when the last time you were in an arcade was, but let me tell you that the comparative lack of buttons was astounding. Unfortunately, it's busted. Repairs forthcoming, hopefully.

AMP Audio is a companion studio to Atwell's home-based operation. The idea is to record free of the distractions that would otherwise come from being at home: family, bill-paying, making a sandwich and all the other day-to-day trivialities that can put a damper on a creative process. The room is small, but has a very high ceiling. Better for acoustics.

If intimate is what you've been looking for, then a heartfelt congratulations on your discovery. Atwell's penchant for acoustic guitar-based songwriters has led him to craft a surprisingly intense recording regimen, whereby the recordee sits on a stool in the corner with a mic in front, and well, that's it. Then you record. Anyone who's recorded under such circumstances and lived to tell the tale (I haven't) could tell you about the gravity and pressure of the situation, but acting in the role of Ultimate Chillpill (good wrestling name)is Atwell himself. The man is a human good vibe machine, and what he exudes bleeds into his work. You can hear it in the work of Tree (lead singer of Hoboken's The Outside), whom Atwell recorded late last year. There's a certain natural edge to the arrangements that can only come from good times.

Of course, Atwell's experience level doesn't hurt either. After pressing his luck for years in bands and even trying out to play drums in White Zombie (you can see his drum set in the corner of the recording room, it looks great) Atwell decided his interests lie more in the other side of the process. Not to say he doesn't still create. Far from it, the multi-instrumentalist's solo CD is available through billyatwell.com, and it's that aspect of himself as a performer that allows him to establish such a rapport with the bands he records.

Having worked on soundtrack and film scoring, Atwell is as keen-eared a composer as he is a producer, and this in particular has helped him in building a reputation. The studio itself may not be the largest or most elaborate physical space, but Atwell's presence in it more than makes up for any special issues, and the work he does between recording at AMP and mixing/ arranging at home speaks volumes to his dedication and professionalism. Those curious to find out more should check out the website.

AMP Audio is located at 321 Newark St. in Hoboken. For more info/equipment lists/past client testimonials, etc., check out ampaudio.net. For more on Atwell's music, check out billyatwell.com

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Interview/feature in ENCORE: The Weekly Performance Magazine
December 20, 2007

http://encore.celebrityaccess.com/?encoreId=108&articleId=24266

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Interview/feature in CAUSTIC TRUTHS
December 13, 2007

http://caustictruths.com/blog/2007/12/13/billy-atwell-explains-his-wants-for-xmas-in-interview/

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Feature in CRAVE MAGAZINE
April 5, 2007

http://www.cravemagazine.com/Evo-News_-_file_-_print_-_sid_-_295.html

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