Meet Nick Breton of Truth Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Breton.

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Nick Breton, I grew up in Park City, Utah and I’ve always <b>loved</b> music. I started buying recording equipment in high school and experimenting with producing and recording in our barn behind my house. My initial goal was to open a record label + talent management company and own studio equipment my clients would use to create their music. When I moved to Los Angeles, I took an audio engineering course to learn more about engineering and producing. Luck fell my way when I met Glenn Gonda, supervisor for my engineering course and we came together to start Truth Studios. Our goal was to become THE studio in Los Angeles for all things Hip-Hop/Rap. Glenn had a few groups he was already engineering for and he brought them over to my apartment where I had a small studio in the back bedroom. We ran sessions out of there for over 3 years and a lot of magic came out of that little room. We helped foster a community of upcoming rappers, producers, managers and other creatives. As business was blooming, I met Dominic Shiner who became my mentor, teaching me more in depth about recording equipment, techniques, and business operations. The apartment was eventually outgrown and the studio was relocated to 310 N Stanley Ave in West Hollywood, now most famously known for being <i>the recording studio across the street from Erewhon</i> (LOL). We’re actually most famously known as the studio with the legendary Polaroid wall. The transition from bedroom to business was incredibly challenging, I was losing money every month and sold my car to keep the dream alive. Fortunately, we connected with some incredible people along the way and we were able to get the business off the ground. From Addy Papa & Gavin Sheppard (two Toronto legends), Polyester the Saint, JP (J. Kelr), Pat Corcoran (Chance the Rapper, Noname, Cam O’bi & many others), Chris Classick & Elton/L10 (Chicago Legends), Tim Larew & Goodwin (Boston Legends). Dom Maker (producer/Mount Kimbie), Lalah Hathaway, Nick Barili (Hardknock TV), Matt McNeal (legend), TaeBeast, Nick Grant, C.S. Armstrong, Chuck Inglish & Asher Roth! Can’t forget Matt McNeal, Drew Corria, Tick from RedBull Records & The Bennett Brothers! All have contributed so much to building Truth Studios to what it is today. I picked up another mentor via buying a microphone from him off Ebay! Carl ! Carl helped me learn to mix by sending files back and forward (he lives in the UK and after 10 years, we’ve still never met or even seen each other!). I cherish all of these people and their contributions that make this place such a special creative community. Everyone who’s been to the studio and brought other people in to help it grow or stay alive through the difficult times… It really is an exceptional and unimaginable path taken to be here now. Over the years, I’ve been a photographer, videographer, blogger, social media manager, engineer, producer, songwriter, manager, executive producer, record label, podcast host and by the end of the summer add Record Store owner to the list. 310 Record Market will open this September and bring another new era to 310 N Stanley Ave. As you can see from the cliff notes, it’s been a constant evolution to survive here in LA.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has always been challenging. From constantly living in debt to buy better equipment and improve the construction of the studio, as well as weathering the cycles of the ever changing music industry in the past 15 years. Then there is helping people with their music careers that never made good on their end of the bargain. I’ve given my last dollars to a lot of people that stepped over me to move forward and acted like I did them wrong. Calling it heartbreaking doesn’t do the sadness justice. I have many physical health problems from continuously overworking. My personal life seems to be constantly put on hold to take sessions. It was not uncommon for me to wake up at 4am to a call that someone needs to retrieve show tracks for a tour that starts that same day. The list of challenges is very, very long… Covid was unfathomable! I actually had a heart attack in March of 2022 between sessions and filming two podcast episodes with Gavin & Tick. I went out to a Grammy party with Tick the same night but I couldn’t stand on my feet for more than an hour. When two of my favorite artists in the world (Reggie & Amarah) were scheduled to have a session that I was going to engineer – I was being loaded into an ambulance while calling them to explain how to open up the studio. Obsession comes with many costs.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Truth Studios?
There are a lot of options for recording studios in Los Angeles but, I can promise you we care the most about making our clients leave with a memory they well never forget and a quality that will stand the test of time. We specialize in artist development. We help clients of all calibers grow to be the most successful versions of themselves. From educating clients about gear, recording techniques, helping them connect with other artists/producers/creatives, mixing at a world class level and delivering masters that will sound phenomenal forever. The passion, knowledge, determination and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done to the best possible result we can collectively imagine. We’re most proud that the brand continues to earn respect of new clients as well as continuing to work with long-term clients for over 15 years! When we connect with a client, there’s a good chance we’ll work together for the lifetime of their career. It’s a real honor to have that level of trust from our clients and a genuine thrill to make music any day of the week. We’d love for this interview to show anyone reading that we care deeply about music, supporting artists and creative folks in all walks and have open doors to come visit or join our community. We want to help bring LA back to the spotlight of real human made music and the exciting cultural hub it’s been so many times in the past. If you’re looking for a team that gets the job done with no bullshit, we’re here for you.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I mentioned a number of people in a previous question who all deserve credit for this place being what it is. Dominic Shiner, who I mentioned earlier, and I have recently formed a production partnership. We’ve recently upgraded the studio in ways that go beyond buying gear that looks attractive. We’ve designed the functionality to suit how modern music is made, maximizing creative workflow and making it FUN – how it should be – to make music! Honestly, every artist that comes in to make music with us, that tells a friend, peer or fellow creator about us – that keeps us going. It’s a tough business, the music business is undoubtably the worst industry in the world but when you have a community that’s out there helping you thrive it makes all the difference. I’m sure there’s a number of people I forgot to bring up because there’s been so many people that came together and made this place as special as it is. From Family members, past relationships, friends, clients, my fiancé Kate, Mitch & Billy Kapler, Geoff, Counterstryke and D Prosper, Ant Marshall, the legendary Mojoe – so so so many people have played a role in making this happen. That’s the real gift, the love and continued support over 15+ years.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.truthstudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/truthstudios
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/truthstudiostv

Image Credits
Nick Breton