Community Highlights: Meet Dawsøn of Junxion Søund / Sound Connect

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawsøn.

Hi Dawsøn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got started in music back in high school. Music was my escape, and what began as a passion for creating quickly turned into something bigger. I was part of a group as an artist, but I was also the one who recorded everyone. I built a little home studio in my room, and before we knew it, people around the school and the island knew us for making and recording music at my house. Engineering honestly fell into my lap before I even knew what it was — but once I figured out that I could shape sound at that level, I knew that was what I wanted to do for a living.

After graduating high school in Hawaii, I tried a year of college, but my heart was set on audio. I moved to Las Vegas in 2014 and enrolled in a recording school that placed me in an internship at Camel Hump Studios. I moved through the ranks pretty quickly, learned the ropes hands-on, and eventually stepped out on my own. In 2017, I launched Junxion Søund. We went through a few different locations before settling into the space we’re in now, which has become home for a lot of artists and creatives in the city.

Things really started to shift in 2019 when I earned my first #1 with Boyz II Men. Then in 2021, I got the call to work on Kanye West’s Donda album, which led to my first Grammy. From there, I continued working with major artists while still staying deeply connected to the independent community.

Today I’m running Junxion Søund, building Sound Connect — my audio education program — and developing our own label. I’m in a place where I get to engineer, produce, teach, and help other artists and creators build careers of their own. It’s been a long journey from a bedroom studio in Hawaii, but every step has been part of shaping who I am and the work I do.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I moved to Vegas at 19 on my own — no family support, just a job, an apartment, and the goal of becoming an engineer. When I started building my studio, everything was self-funded. I saved about $5,000, quit my job for the second time, and put every dollar into the first version of what would become Junxion Søund. Around that time I met my first business partner, who helped me get things off the ground, but even then it was a huge risk. That money was supposed to hold me over after leaving my job, and I reinvested all of it into the studio.

The early years were rough. The first place I set up eventually shut down, and I had to move the studio several times — all while my only source of income was engineering sessions. Every move came with new expenses and new uncertainty. On top of that, I dealt with the usual growing pains: friendships and business relationships shifting, navigating a pandemic while relocating the studio, and trying to manage the overhead of a bigger and more professional space without losing momentum.

There were plenty of moments where it felt like everything was stacked against me, but every struggle forced me to level up. Being self-funded and building from the ground up taught me resilience, discipline, and how to survive in this industry long enough to grow in it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Junxion Søund / Sound Connect?
Junxion Søund is a full-service recording studio, creative hub, and developing label based in Las Vegas. Sound Connect is our education arm — a post-secondary audio program that trains the next generation of engineers and producers through mentorship, Pro Tools certification, and real studio externships. Together, these two brands form a full ecosystem for artists, creators, and aspiring engineers.

At Junxion Søund, we specialize in recording, mixing, and full production for artists at every level — from Grammy-winning and charting talent to independent artists building their first projects. What we’re known for is our approach: we help artists develop their sound, finish high-quality records, and actually understand the business behind their music. It’s a hands-on, collaborative environment where quality and intention come first.

Sound Connect grew out of that same mission. With students coming in from different backgrounds and levels of experience, we built a program that blends technical training with real-world studio experience. Our externship places students directly into active recording environments so they learn in a way that’s practical, relevant, and career-focused.

What sets our brands apart is that everything has been built from the ground up — fully self-funded, community-driven, and rooted in passion for both the art and the people behind it. I’m proud of the fact that we’re able to support artists through their creative journey while also helping new engineers find their place in the industry. Whether you’re booking studio time, learning audio engineering, or building a career as an artist, our goal is to make sure you leave better equipped, inspired, and confident in your craft.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The music industry is going to evolve massively over the next 5–10 years, and I think the biggest shifts will be around accessibility, independence, and technology. The barriers to entry for artists, producers, and engineers are lower than ever — but the demand for quality is getting higher. AI will play a huge role, especially in workflow, idea generation, and the technical side of editing and processing. But instead of replacing creatives, I think it’s going to separate the ones who really understand their craft from the ones relying solely on tools.

Studios are also becoming more specialized. Artists aren’t just looking for a room with equipment — they’re looking for a team, development, and a creative environment that helps them build a long-term vision. That’s why places like Junxion Søund, where we offer engineering, production, education, and artist development under one roof, are becoming the future model.

On the education side, we’re going to see a major shift away from traditional schools and toward mentorship-focused, real-world training. Programs like Sound Connect will become the norm because people want hands-on experience, not just theory.

We’ll also see more independent artists carving out major success through better understanding of royalties, publishing, and distribution. Ownership and knowledge are becoming the real currency in the music business.

Overall, I think the industry is moving toward a space where creativity, entrepreneurship, and adaptability matter more than ever. The people who can wear multiple hats, understand both the art and the business, and build community are the ones who will thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.junxionsound.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundbydawson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundbydawson/
• Twitter: https://x.com/soundbydawson

Image Credits
Studio Z, Studio X, Vocal Booth, Lobby,
Kanye West “Donda” Live stream August 5th, (Ye and Mike Dean)
DaBaby photo by Bravo
Wanya Morris (BIIM)
Grammys