Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Eichstedt.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
A lot of this started back in 2005 with a PC and a handheld camera. I found a way to record music of my bands in my bedroom so we can then listen back and enjoy for ourselves. From then on this passion only grew more and more as I wanted to hear better and better quality recordings of myself. This whole time I never thought it can be my passion and job, it was always just for fun. As time goes on and I move from band to band, I start to record more and really fall involve with it. Years go by and I move to Arlington, VA, to pursue my dream of being an Audio Engineer. There I was able to graduate from the Art Institute of Washington with a BA in Audio Production.
I gained some great knowledge there and worked my way up to President of the AES club which ran: Studio Sessions, Tutoring, Mic and Pre Amp Shootouts. It was an amazing time and look back at that time often. After graduation, I moved back to CA to marry my high school sweetheart and start our amazing family together. Since being back I’ve done Live AV for small to high scale events, worked with celebrities and done some fun and amazing work on some films. It wasn’t until about a year ago I started noodling back into music production with my partner Matt Connard with War Chariot. Since then I’ve been working with various clients and still trying to perfect my craft on my spare time, all while being a new father and working a full-time job.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Its been a bit of a rocky start since moving back. I literally packed a u-Haul with everything I owned and pulled from savings to drive five days from Arlington, VA to Pasadena, CA. when I drove I interviewed for jobs over the phone, it was a real leap when it came to moving back with no job. But I was determined to make life work out here in a city everyone says is to hard to live in. Now I have a fantastic job at Annenberg Petspace and continuing to strive to be better at what I do.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Mikestedt Media handles almost all types of media, we can do photoshoots and edit. We can take your content and make creative content for social media with programs such as After Affects and Final Cut Pro X. a lot of this you can already see in the War Chariot Instagram. I mainly focus on music production and recording/mixing/mastering. Essentially a one-stop-shop for media.
I’m proud that with such limitations I am able to provide great quality content for others to enjoy and share. What I believe sets me apart is my attention to detail and dedication to the project. I am currently in the works of writing for an artist that ill be producing late November, he needed a specific drum sound. Wo I went out to find a 1970’s pearl maple drum kit, which then needs to be restored from a beat-up rust-covered kit to a playable eye-pleasing drum set. most people may just rent or borrow a drum kit, but by me doing this I’ve become more invested into the project and gave it a personal touch.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now I am all about improving my abilities by starting small and then get bigger. A big change my be eventually doing this full time.
Contact Info:
- Website: mikestedtaudio.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: mikestedt_media
Image Credit:
Kevin Martin – @iam.kevlar
Mike Eichstedt – @mikestedt_media
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