Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Herfindal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For me, it all started with singing and playing guitar in various Bay Area indie bands in the late 90’s and early 2000s. I was always the guy in the band who was good at recording, a skill acquired in part by essentially hawking over music engineers I was working with in the studio while making my own records. I learned while doing, observing and asking questions.
One of the indie recorded albums I did for an artist in the early 2000s ended up getting released by Universal Republic. This was the start of me building up my studio gear to what is now a full-service recording studio. Later, I signed a music publishing deal with one of the largest worldwide indie music publishers Peer Music in 2004 and that ended 2012. All through that time and since I’ve been landing songs or cues in various film/tv spots. In addition to songwriting, I also regularly record, engineer/produce for artists in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere.
In 2015, I opened my new recording space, unofficially referred to as “Sun Studio” – a solar-powered recording studio equipped with a dedicated live room and control room. Sweet-sounding vintage Slingerland drums and Vox or Fender guitar amps are always mic’d up. Beautiful sounding vocal microphones like Neumann and high-end pro audio gear are always at the ready. This is where I produce, mix and master for others, and it also serves a great purpose for my artist and film/tv songwriting and co-writing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve been in the music business for a long enough time to have seen big shifts in the way music is consumed and how artists are compensated. In film/tv, music licensing has also changed over time. Artists are getting less mechanical royalties in the streaming world, and lower fees for film/tv licensing. So survival as a music creator is as challenging as ever. Let’s just say there have been moments that felt like “smooth sailing” but also more than a fair share of rough patches that helped keep me focused. The cost of living in my native SF Bay Area and also here in LA is one of the hardest realities I see affecting music artists.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I record, mix and master (and sometimes sing, play guitar, bass, percussion on) upcoming releases/songs for music artists of all kinds. I’ve recorded/mixed/mastered Pop, Rock, indie, Americana, Pop RnB, Country, Folk, and Alternative.
Most of my recording clients would describe me as an easy to work with, quality mix/mastering engineer, musician and music producer. I’m proud of making great recordings and being a part of the music-making community here in Los Angeles and beyond.
I’m most proud of being able to look at music through excited kid eyes. Making great music and recordings is super gratifying work. In short, I love what I do. I think what any recording artist gets from me is a dedication to make the recording/song as great as possible. I try to inspire a chill, stress-free recording environment and free-flowing creativity.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Never underestimate the power of Youtube. Whenever I want to learn how to do something, the answer (or at least the beginning of the answer) always seems to be found here. I don’t have enough time to listen to Podcasts, but maybe one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: toddherfindalmusic.com
- Instagram: @toddherfindalmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/todd.herfindal.music/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-herfindal-0111053a/
Image Credits
Stacy Herfindal, Bevin Hamilton, Connor Maguire
