Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark “Keitel” Lowe.
Mark “Keitel”, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have consistently been involved with music production and audio engineering since I first started exploring this art during my high school years, when my brother was becoming a reputable rapper in our hometown of Tucson, AZ. Since very limited technology was available to us at the time–in an era when home studios were not yet common–it became a necessity for us to create our own means of recording. My first investment was a $170 Behringer mic, an MPC2000XL (on a maxed out Guitar Center credit card), a free version of CoolEdit software, and my mom’s vinyl collection.
Having spent a couple of years familiarizing myself with making beats and recording, I had become so passionate that I knew I wanted to pursue this as a career and lifestyle.
After considering various schools, I enrolled at The Los Angeles Recording School in 2004. Within the first days of the academic program, I knew this was my calling; not surprisingly, I excelled in the curriculum and graduated at the top of my class.
Equipped with a home studio, I continued evolving as an audio engineer and producer, while also interning at Blakeslee Recording Studio and working part-time at Guitar Center, where I acquired my first paying gig recording and mixing for a local artist. This project led to the artist being signed to Interscope Records, which in turn propelled me to start marketing myself as a freelance audio engineer & producer for hire.
Since then, I have been working full-time from my own recording studios, as well as co-hosting a radio show, working as a ProTools Operator for “The Voice” (season 6), and more. I currently own and operate Lowe Key Studios in Los Angeles, CA, and also do professional mixing and mastering for clients worldwide.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
While I’m fortunate to have been self-employed for over a decade, there have definitely been many challenges along the way. As with many freelancers, inconsistent income had been problematic at certain points. Even worse–I once lost my entire recording studio to a fire caused by a neighbor’s negligence, and then was wrongfully charged with multiple counts of arson. I fought this case while being practically homeless and struggling to rebuild my studio. The Year long debacle took a tremendous toll, however I was victorious and all charges were dropped.
Another major struggle has been learning how to best navigate what I call the “vultures of the music industry”–those with highly unethical business practices who take advantage of engineers working hard to further their careers. Countless times I’ve been pressured to work without pay and have received broken promises only to never be compensated or credited.
Lowe Key Studios – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Since 2017 I’ve owned and operated Lowe Key Studios, which I designed and constructed within a large commercial warehouse in south Los Angeles. Our two studios are constantly booked with up-and-coming as well as established artists and producers. I personally specialize in production, recording, and mixing.
Highly reputable among artists of various genres, I am known for the perfectionism and extreme attention to detail I put into every record I work on. I’m known for delivering high-quality results for every service I provide.
Some of the skills I’ve developed over the past 15 years that set me apart include my speed and efficiency, my networking, and maintaining a strong rapport with my clientele.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, the concept of success is very multi-faceted. Success exists in the form of finishing a song and debuting your work to the world… in the form of being able to contribute to another artists work, especially when seeing how pleased a client is as they leave the studio… in getting to work with truly talented and hard working artists, Producers, musicians, etc. as well as mixing songs that include some of the worlds biggest artist & Producers (such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab Soul, Jay Rock, Zacari, Boogie, Reason, Mozzy, Rich the Kid, Paul Wall, Scoopdeville, Sada Baby, Rapsody, Too Short, Bas, Vince Staples, Kalan FRFR, and more.
… and in simple things like carrying out the step-by-step journey and seeing growth on a daily basis.
Pricing:
- Studio Time with Engineer is 50/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LoweKeyStudios.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @KeitelJR
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