William Garrett - From Sweeping Floors to 10 Billion Streams

William Garrett - From Sweeping Floors to 10 Billion Streams

Author: Brian Funk March 25, 2025 Duration: 1:52:39

William Garrett is a mixing and recording engineer and producer, and studio builder and manager. He managed a studio for Sony in New York City for 15 years and was Senior Music Producer for Spotify Singles, recording and mixing more than 900 tracks that have over 10 billion streams to date. William has worked with countless artists like Jack White, Miley Cyrus, Shania Twain, John Cale, Cyndi Lauper, The National, Norah Jones, Elton John… the list goes on and on… it might have been easier to mention who he hasn't worked with! 

William shared his story from humble beginnings sweeping the floor of a studio to working with some of the greatest artists of all time. 

Listen on Apple, SpotifyYouTube

Takeaways:

  • William started his career sweeping floors in a recording studio.
  • He learned valuable lessons from observing Aerosmith and Carly Simon.
  • Sight lines in the studio are crucial for band communication.
  • Vulnerability in the creative process can derail a session.
  • The Boston music scene provided a rich environment for growth.
  • Transitioning to New York was a significant step in his career.
  • Building relationships in the industry is key to success.
  • Every session is a learning experience, regardless of the artist. Recording technology has evolved significantly over the years.
  • Creative limitations can enhance the music-making process.
  • Time constraints often lead to more focused and energetic recordings.
  • The spirit of spontaneity can lead to unique musical moments.
  • Mixing is an art that requires both skill and intuition.
  • Experimentation is key to discovering new sounds.
  • Reading the room is crucial for producers to facilitate creativity.
  • The vibe in the studio can significantly impact the outcome of a session.

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk


Brian Funk hosts the Music Production Podcast, a space where the technical meets the personal in the world of making music. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations that feel like dropping into a studio with a knowledgeable friend. As a working musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer, Brian approaches each topic with a practitioner's curiosity. Discussions flow naturally from the specifics of a piece of gear or a production technique into broader reflections on creative philosophy and the artistic process. You'll hear about the tools of the trade, but always through the lens of how they serve an idea or unlock a new way of working. The podcast thrives on informal dialogue, whether Brian is sharing his own experiences or talking with guests, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. It’s for anyone who builds songs from the ground up and thinks about the why just as much as the how. Tune in for honest, nuanced talks that go beyond simple tips and tricks, offering a deeper, more human perspective on the craft of music production.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Production Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Toru - Host of the ProducerHead Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:26
Julian Astri, aka Toru, is a music producer, educator, and the host of the ProducerHead Podcast, a show dedicated to amplifying the voices of beatmakers, producers, and creatives at every stage of their journey. Through…
Six Missing – Flow States, Ego Drops, and the Art of Letting Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:29
Today I welcome back TJ Dumser, who makes ambient meditative soundscapes under the name Six Missing. TJ is in the process of releasing his new album Without Mind in 3 sections. We spoke shortly after the first section Id…
Jxmie Blake on Rule-Breaking, Risk-Taking, and Decision-Making [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:39
Jxmie Blake is a genre-blending artist, producer, and educator whose work fuses jazz, soul, hip hop, pop, and electronic music into a bold and expressive signature sound. Known for his innovative approach to Ableton Push…
Creative Confidence and Music Production with LNA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:07
Liina Turtonen, aka LNA, is a musician, producer, and educator, who runs the LNA Does Audio Stuff YouTube Channel. Liina is an Ableton Certified Trainer and just released her book Creative Confidence and Music Production…
Rich Shivener - Living Digital Media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:02
Rich Shivener is a musician, producer, and professor. His book Living Digital Media explores how creators producer works. He documents the emotional journey creators go through and the behind the scenes experiences that…
#398: At Home Songwriting with Chad Shank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:43
Chad Shank is a songwriting teacher and music producer. Chad teaches songwriting at Berklee Online and runs At Home Songwriting, where he helps students learn how to write songs in their own authentic style and voice. Ch…
Songwriting, Creative Flow, and The Natural World with Jean-Paul Vest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:59
In this episode of The Music Production Podcast, I sit down with musician and songwriter Jean-Paul Vest, the driving force behind Last Charge of the Light Horse. We talk about the evolution of songwriting, the impact of…
Øy - Composing Live Music Using Dance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:36
Today I am speaking with Kristoffer Lislegaard and Janne Eraker of the duo Øy. Janne is a tap dancer, with contact mics attached to her shoes. Kristoffer receives the audio in his computer running sequencers, synthesizer…
Low Heat Beats on Flow, Creativity, and Sharing Your Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:58
Boyan of LowHeatBeats is a music producer and educator, whose rapidly growing YouTube channel takes us behind the scenes of his process, showing us the tools and techniques he uses to create his blend of soulful hip-hop,…