Take a chunk of your day today to read through this lengthy, and insightful, interview with Jeremy Ferguson – aka Battle Tapes Recording. Getting insight on his history, his preferred gear and how he properly serves a song in the studio is a damn good read. I particularly loved this quote about working with young people:
I definitely enjoy working with younger people and helping them sort it out, because that’s where I came from. Some of the best records I’ve ever heard were made by people in their early 20s. Your inhibitions are low; you’re just making this interesting music that you’re just now figuring out. Pet Sounds, Talking Book, Innervisions, Highway 61 Revisited, and Rubber Soul were made by young people. Not that old people can’t make great music; I just think older people end up with that scope of textures and experience that lend to a broader picture, but it never has the energy and excitement it has when you’re young. If a band is young and plays well, it’s easy to make them sound cool. You put up some microphones, press record, and make sure they’re comfortable. You’re not dealing with the fact that their back hurts and their bills are due.
Not only is it great insight into his process but also a nice reminder to the “non-youth†on how to make a more immediately grabbing experience.
Jeremy Ferguson is a staple of the Nashville community and I’m glad to see Tape Op giving him some of the recognition he deserves.