Easy 5 page guide with my best tips for home recording and remote collaboration.
🚫 Avoid poor quality recording
💻 DAW setup tips
📝 Export and label tracks correctly
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Make art that moves hearts
Music Production For contemporary folk/indie/americana artists
Portfolio
Lindsay Foote
Producer, guitars, mandolin, resonator, banjo
- NYC 00:00
- Won't Do Me Any Good 00:00
- Resting Place 00:00
Dione Taylor
Producer, Co-Writer, guitars, mandolin, resonator, banjo
- How Many times 00:00
- Running Down The Line 00:00
- One More Shot 00:00
Aviva Chernick
Co-producer, guitars, mandolin, resonator, banjo
- Min Hameitzar 00:00
- Esta Montanya 00:00
- La Serena 00:00
Jadea Kelly
Producer, guitars, mandolin, resonator, banjo
- Any Old Boat 00:00
- 10 Roses 00:00
Before and After
Toggle between demo and production to hear the transformation.
Song 1
Demo Production
Song 2
Demo Production
Song 3
Demo Production
Testimonials
“Working beside and creating music with Joel is an incredible experience. His perseverance with and dedication to bringing your musical vision into reality is what every artist dreams of in a producer. Joel’s energy and vibe creates a safe and open space for imagination, artistry… and wicked fun! I’m excited and extremely proud of the ‘sound’ that we created on my upcoming album.”
Dione Taylor
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
“Joel is a one-of-a-kind musician, and he takes great care in his ability to create. His warm, unique approach to music is unmatched. He’s able to fill the space and add layers effortlessly.”
Jessica Mitchell
Singer/songwriter
“Joel produced my EP, and he helped me take the project to an entirely new level.
He has amazing musical instincts, and all of his playing, production, and arrangement ideas were perfect. On top of his musicality, he truly listened to me and took to heart what I wanted to do with the project. I felt comfortable sharing my ideas and concerns with him, and because of this the end product felt like a true collaboration.
Joel brings out the best in whoever he works with, and I can’t imagine having a better experience with a producer. On top of everything, the whole process was so much fun!! And I’m truly proud of the work we did together.”
Lindsay Foote
Singer-Songwriter
“Having toured, performed and recorded with Joel, I can sincerely attest to his professionalism, open heart and emotional musical ear. He sits, listens and encourages authenticity always. It has always been a great pleasure working with him, as a producer and a good friend.”
Jadea Kelly
Singer/Songwriter
“Joel has a phenomenal ear which, married with his imagination, and skill as a musician and producer, brings songs into their full beauty. He helps the songs be realized exactly the way they were meant to be heard all along.”
Aviva Chernick
Recording Artist
“I have had the pleasure of working with Joel in a wide range of musical settings. His depth as a musician, combined with his artistic vision, make him a very unique and effective producer. Whether it is helping an artist realize an arrangement, playing guitar parts to augment a recording or helping to manage timelines/budgets, Joel has a comprehensive range of skills that are mandatory for modern music production. I cannot recommend working with Joel enough. From writing and arranging, to playing and tracking, Joel truly has it all.”
Justin Gray
Producer/Mastering Engineer
“Joel brings bullseye instincts, huge ears and exacting standards to every project he’s involved in…every note is there for a reason, every sound makes perfect sense and everyone is happy at the end of the session. Work with him and you’ll see what I mean.”
Andrea Koziol
Singer/songwriter
Singer/songwriter
How it Works
Transform your idea into your masterpiece
GET IN TOUCH!
- Clarify your goals and vision
- Determine your budget
- Make a plan
PRE-PRODUCTION
- Choose the songs to record
- Refine the arrangements.
- Record scratch tracks
PRODUCTION
- Fill out your songs with all the instruments I play (guitars, resonator, mandolin, banjo) and optionally some of the best session musicians around.
- Experiment with production sounds, textures, and the “sonic universe” for your songs
- Record final vocals
POST-PRODUCTION
- Mix and master to your song
- Release!
Awards for productions
BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(NOMINEE 2021 JUNO AWARDS)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR WINNER
(2020 BLUES AND ROOTS RADIO)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(NOMINEE 2020 MAPLE BLUES AWARDS
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
(NOMINEE 2020 MAPLE BLUES AWARDS)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
(NOMINEE 2020 MAPLE BLUES AWARDs)
WORLD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(NOMINEE 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards)
TOP 25 JAZZ ALBUMS OF 2020
(JazzFM)
Bio
Joel Schwartz is a seasoned guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and award winning producer.
With 20 years of experience as a professional musician, he produces recordings for contemporary folk, Americana, roots, blues, and indie-rock musicians.
Joel has toured and/or recorded with: Birds of Chicago, Amelia Curran, Matthew and Jill Barber, Great Lake Swimmers, Royal Wood, Jessica Mitchell, Aviva Chernick, Andrea Koziol, Dione Taylor, Lydia Persaud, Jadea Kelly and many others.
The recordings he’s played on and produced have won, or been nominated for numerous awards including the Junos, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Folk Music Awards, Ontario Folk Music Awards, Maple Blues Awards, and Blues and Roots Radio Awards.
Joel proudly endorses K&K pickups and Neunaber pedals.
With 20 years of experience as a professional musician, he produces recordings for contemporary folk, Americana, roots, blues, and indie-rock musicians.
Joel has toured and/or recorded with: Birds of Chicago, Amelia Curran, Matthew and Jill Barber, Great Lake Swimmers, Royal Wood, Jessica Mitchell, Aviva Chernick, Andrea Koziol, Dione Taylor, Lydia Persaud, Jadea Kelly and many others.
The recordings he’s played on and produced have won, or been nominated for numerous awards including the Junos, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Folk Music Awards, Ontario Folk Music Awards, Maple Blues Awards, and Blues and Roots Radio Awards.
Joel proudly endorses K&K pickups and Neunaber pedals.
Free Guides
Home Recording Checklist
5 page guide with my best tips for singer songwriters recording at home.
- Get the most out of your gear
- DAW setup tips
- Export and label tracks correctly
Make art that moves hearts
