Three Reasons to Get Vocal Lessons Before Heading Into the Studio

We are going to nip this right in the bud—needing vocal lessons does not make you a bad vocalist. In fact, it makes you the best kind of vocalist: one who puts product and progress before pride! Just as the best authors need editors for their novels, and the most successful therapists need a professional of their own, and every great cosmetologist needs someone else to apply their touch-up color, so do we vocalists need vocal coaches. Whether you’re doing a few gigs a month at your local brewery or you’re Lady Gaga on tour, every vocalist benefits from a vocal coach. 

1.  Studio Stamina and Spot-Training

Whether you are in the studio for a few hours or a few days, take after take of vocals can 

be taxing on anyone’s cords. Add any nerves or jitters into the mix and you may find your voice is just not as controlled as you’d like for it to be, or lasting in quality throughout the day. Then you get frustrated and start to spiral, which only makes matters worse. Many singers start to get fatigued after just a couple takes. A few great lessons can help with all of this.

As vocalists, we have to know when to “bring it,” and when to bring it back. A vocal coach will teach you about how to conserve your vocal energy for the whole session, how to make the hard stuff sound and feel easy, and what to do to give yourself rest throughout the recording process. You will learn how to give it your all while still pacing yourself. You can even select a coach that works specifically with session musicians to ensure you are getting the best expertise for the studio. Many of these coaches will work with you on the specific song(s) you plan on recording to help perfect your product and map out a vocal plan for each tune, touching on so many areas of technique so you are good to go for the whole session. Which leads us to our next point…

2. Sustainability

Coaches who have studied and trained in-depth are so knowledgeable on the human voice and its mechanics. In addition to maintaining stamina throughout the session, a vocal coach can teach you how to properly take care of your instrument long-term so that you can rely on and build a career around it. A huge part of that maintenance is dependent upon properly warming up and down (yes, down!), engaging breath rather than muscle, and other basic techniques to correct unhealthy or damaging singing. Vocal lessons can provide so many easy tools and exercises to get you on the right track.

You may have seen vocalists (or are one, yourself) who can do crazy riffs and runs, “screlt,” or add a rasp to their tone that feels so soulful, but quickly feel or sound tired, strained, or even experience pain after just an hour of gigging, or long days in the studio. We’re sure you’ve heard this a hundred times, but just in case— it should never be painful to sing. If you are experiencing pain while singing, that is a giant red flag that you could hugely benefit from just a little coaching to ensure healthy singing and avoid vocal fatigue or even injury. Remember— you don’t have to give up your unique sound and magic in order to sing healthily and sustainably, but integrating those things will take trust and patience. You’ve got this!

3. Awareness

Lastly but probably most importantly, another set of trained ears and eyes will be able to help you become more aware of your particular vocal strengths, pitfalls, and all details in between regarding your unique vocal constitution. Once you start vocal lessons, you will be shocked at how many vocal habits you have developed that you weren’t even aware of. Not only that, but your coach will show you how to lean further into your strengths and develop your weaknesses. For example:

If you tend to sound nasally on certain vowels or within a certain range, your vocal coach will help to identify those tendencies and give you tips and tricks to fix your tone that you can apply quickly in the studio. If you have a well-developed belt or chest voice but struggle to maintain a healthy mixed or floaty head voice, or if you have a gorgeous breathy tone but want to build more power and presence into your voice, your coach will be able to show you short and long-term exercises to help melt those registers together. You might find that you sound really “pinched” or strained during high notes which feels entirely out of your control, but a vocal coach may easily identify tension in your neck and shoulders and show you how to remedy that. Many of the best vocal coaches incorporate methods and solutions that seemingly have nothing to do with the voice itself; including breathing exercises, stretches and yoga or meditation, lifestyle changes, and more. Trust them, and you will get to know your instrument  a lot better. You know what they say, the first step toward change is awareness.

If you’re planning to head into the studio soon to record a single, EP, or full-length album, we at Studio 45b could not recommend quality vocal lessons enough. It’s about more than just “sounding better.” It’s about knowing yourself and your voice, and making sure it lasts you a long, long time. Afterall, it is your livelihood! Or at least it’s what brings you a ton of joy. Either way, it’s worth the investment. 

If you’re feeling convinced, Studio 45b offers a chance to connect right now with our professional vocal coach, Danielle Todd. Danielle has 17 years of experience performing, and draws from her own expertise, teachings from top industry professionals, and your specific needs as a vocalist to work on tone, vocal agility, vocal range, timbre, strength, and more. Everything from practical warm-ups, to emotional connection within your vocals, to singing through nerves, to developing the very fundamentals that define your artistic expression, Danielle will elevate your technique and artistry. Ready to chat? Reach out to book a consultation and we’ll talk about exactly what you want and need to take your musicianship to the next level.

We want you to feel healthy, confident, and prepared to come into the studio. Let’s connect today!

***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden ***

What is Mixing and Why Does My Song Need it?

You’ve made the courageous leap and decided to release some music, but you want to do it the right way. It’s a huge undertaking, from finding the right studio to planning promotional content. The creative stuff can be so fun, the prep and logistics can be overwhelming, and the more research you do on processes like distribution, mixing, and mastering, it seems the more there is to know.

There are thousands of resources claiming to teach you the “basics” of audio mixing that still leave you confused. Don’t feel stupid! There are entire degree programs dedicated to this topic, and we can’t all be experts in everything. However, if you’re going to release your music to the public and pay for the service, you should know what it is and why you need it. We’re going to answer some questions to make it all seem a little less scary. Let’s start at the beginning.

Does my song need to be mixed?

Yes. That’s an easy one, next!

Why?

A song well-mixed is like indulging in a cup of really great Ethiopian pour-over after living the last 7 years on diner drip coffee. You had no clue you were missing that kind of quality until after you got a taste of it! Still, as with coffee, there is an adjustment period while you refine your palate. Hearing that raw file (diner drip) and then hearing the first pass of a mix (Ethiopian), will reveal clear sonic differences and improvements in quality even to the most undiscerning of ears. However, it takes practice, patience, and curiosity to start to identify the subtle magic; like tasting notes in coffee.

Okay fine. Then what even is mixing?

Most basically (and vaguely, to start), mixing audio is the process of controlling several aspects of sound within and between multiple audio tracks to create an overall sense of cohesion, balance, and artistry. It requires a combination of both technical knowledge and skill, and creative intuition and awareness. Sound is a science, but it is also an art.

The basic targets of mixing sound deal with balancing levels, frequencies, and stereo image (more on this later) to provide sonic clarity to the listener, while creating something more interesting and pleasing to the ear than any raw audio file could ever be. A good audio engineer will take all of the individual audio tracks and apply all sorts of effects, filters, and techniques to make them sound more cohesive; like a family of sound rather than a bunch of strangers shoved together in the same room. This process occurs within a digital audio workstation (DAW), which consists of three components: a computer, an audio interface (a device that converts audio from mics, mic pre-amps, or a mixer into a signal for the computer), and a recording software.

The Basics:

Let’s begin our descent down the rabbit hole. Most of these definitions come straight from the Bartlett & Bartlett text “Practical Recording Techniques: The Seventh Edition.” Then, we’re going to try to break each down a little and add some context. It will be helpful to imagine your song existing in three-dimensional space; aspects of sound within your mix can move up and down, forward and backward, and side to side. Mixing audio in many ways is about sliding sounds along those different axes to create a rich and compelling sonic product.

Frequency: “The number of cycles per second of a sound wave or audio signal, measured in hertz (Hz).”

Sound waves travel quickly (high frequency/pitch) or slowly (low frequency/low pitch), or lots of speeds in between. Oftentimes in raw recorded audio, there are extra, unnecessary frequencies that “muddy” up the mix, or make it sound messy or garbled to our simple human ears/brain. To fix that, audio engineers will EQ the tracks.

Equalization (EQ): “Adjustment of frequency response to alter the tonal balance or attenuate unwanted frequencies levels.”

Stay with us. We EQ tracks to cut (remove) unwanted frequencies, or boost (increase) frequencies we like or need more of in order to make the overall mix more clear, crisp, and colorful. You can apply highpass filters (HPF) or lowpass filters (LPF) to make the best/necessary elements within tracks stand out, and get rid of the frequencies that muddy the mix. An audio engineer might apply a HPF to a guitar track to remove extra frequencies going on in the low end, and then go in more thoroughly to cut or boost specific frequencies to curate a more intentional sound.

If we are imagining our song in three-dimensional space, this is the axis that runs up and down. Soundwaves manifest as bass (low; 60-120 Hz), mid (middle; 400-2.5k Hz), and treble (high; 8k-15k Hz) frequencies.

Compressor: “A signal processor that reduces dynamic range or gain by means of automatic volume control.” Compression has to do with level, or volume control. Recording real musicians often means a wide dynamic (volume) range. A compressor automatically reduces gain (amplification) when the signal exceeds a preset level (threshold).

This is the part of mixing that happens on the axis running forward to back; think of it as someone stepping closer to you/the microphone (your ear will interpret this as louder) or away (softer).

Panning: “The act of placing or moving a sound anywhere in the stereo field of a stereo playback system.”

We experience recorded music through a stereo system, meaning there is a left and a right speaker (even in your phone). This tricks our brains into processing audio as if it’s coming from a single, center source, creating what we call a phantom image.

Before mixing, all tracks more or less sit “center.” This not only sounds flat and singular, but also auditorily confusing. Our brains struggle to isolate instruments, tracks, or interpret anything interesting going on. Panning combats that by spreading the sound sources of the tracks out along that left-to-right axis. When our brains can organize and localize the different tracks, it allows for certain instruments, embellishments, and tonal qualities to shine through that might otherwise be lost.

These components are only the beginning. There are tons of effects like reverb, chorus, echo, and more that enhance depth, mood, and tone of the song, and plenty of space for a mixing engineer to get creative and take the tune to the next level. The best way to learn more about what makes a good mix and your audio preferences, is to stay curious. Ask your audio engineer lots of questions, do your research (think podcasts, articles, books, YouTube videos), listen to different kinds of music and start to try to identify elements of the sound that you like. If you want, make your audio engineer a playlist of reference tracks with sonic elements that move the needle for you. Remember, you don’t need to know everything to start speaking the language, you just need to start speaking it.

***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden

How to Prepare Yourself for a Day of Recording

Do you get antsy thinking about heading into the studio for a day of recording? Are you the musician who does nothing but cross your fingers and hope for good vibes, or the type who obsesses over every detail of your EP before the session? A successful day of recording in the studio is all about balance. Here are some long-term insights and short-term tips to enhance your recording experience and make the best of your studio time.

Your body. As musicians, we’ve all been guilty of neglecting our bodies and just hoping they pull through for us; and it’s true— our bodies are amazingly resilient! However, meeting basic physical needs can profoundly impact your recording session and save you time, money, and stress.

• Hydration: As research advances, we’re understanding more about the best way to hydrate (guzzling three glasses of tap water right before your session won’t do what you think it will). Water takes about four hours to even reach your vocal cords! Tap water is also stripped of the minerals our cells need for true absorption. Drinking one glass of water with electrolytes or steeped with fruits/veggies high in sodium, magnesium, potassium, and/or calcium will do more for you than a gallon of tap water. Products like Gainful, LMNT, and Trace Minerals are also great. Read more here.

• Nutrition: It may seem basic, but coming into the studio properly nourished can be a game-changer for a successful recording session. What we produce is contingent on what we consume! Hydrating and anti-inflammatory foods are a great choice for vocal health, even if that means (dare we say) limiting yourself to only... a couple cups of coffee? We’ll circle back. Like we said, balance.

• Rest: Do NOT sleep on this one! Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to prepare your body and mind for recording in the studio. Vocal rest is important. Stepping into the booth after three consecutive nights of 4-hour bar gigs is less than ideal. Not getting enough sleep can affect you physically, cognitively, and put you in such an emotional funk. Which brings us to....

Your mindset. Once you prime your physical body for success (no shakes, tired vocal cords, foggy brain, etc.), you have more energy to spend on your mindset. To get excited and aligned creatively, you may find there are things you need to shed. Here is what we suggest leaving at the door of your session:

1. Other people’s expectations. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advice from a trusted team of people who know and stand behind your vision. However, we are all guilty of entertaining opinions of those who only know us through social media, or an old mentor, bandmate, or ex’s idea of what we should sound like. Your opinion, ideas, and expectations matter most in our studio. Be present and trust yourself to create the most authentic sound.

2. A self-deprecating attitude. We have all seen wildly talented musicians step into the booth and after a couple imperfect takes, spiral into self-doubt. Insecurity is a productive session’s worst enemy. We are a part of your team now, which means we are here to coach you through your doubts and questions. We believe in you! But we recognize that can only go so far. Confidence and groundedness are key.

At Studio 45b, we believe in finding the sweet spot between planning and leaving room for ideas to take off, branch out, and reroute. This may mean detaching from expectations and connecting with the heart of your project. Some questions to ask yourself before entering the session:

• What are your nonnegotiables?

• What do you want this song/project to “do?” You can think of this technically, but we also encourage you to do so abstractly. What feelings do you want it to evoke in people? Any questions you want it to raise?

• Where are you not sure that the song/project is doing what you want it to? Are there any spots that feel weak, inauthentic, or “filler?”

• If you could release two versions of this song, what would the second version sound like?

• Think of your song in terms of all of the senses. Does it have a texture or color palette? When you picture this song being played, what does the room look like that best showcases it? Who is there? Are you playing it live?

Preparing to record is all about balance. By the time you get in the studio, so much work has already gone into your project— it’s your baby! While it can feel like recording is the pinnacle of all of that hard work, remember that this is just one summit of many in your musical career.

You’re ready! Contact us to book your recording session today.


***Written by Singer/Songwriter Kayla Lunden.

Three ways to prepare yourself for a day in the Studio

We are going to keep this short and sweet! Let’s get right to it.

1. Take into consideration who you are bringing with you into the studio and why.

This is our number one point. Whoever you bring with you into the studio can really make or break the day!

First off, some people want a support system with them on their recording day. We typically tell our clients to bring in one or two people who they trust, and who understand the recording process. The less people in the studio, the better. Too many opinions can lead to disagreements, and it wastes time and your money. Make sure every single person who comes along with you is aware that you call the final shots.

Secondly, multiple people can cause distractions, or noise during recording takes, resulting in wasted time and wasted money. We find that singers, and musicians, can sometimes feel anxious, nervous or feel an immense amount of pressure in front of too many people. We always want our clients to feel relaxed enough to make a mistake, and feel confident enough to try out new ideas on the fly without feeling judged.

We suggest to bring a manager, friend, or family member that is supportive, can capture some social media posts for you.

2. Finalize lyrics and rehearse your band before hand.

It is imperative that your entire band knows their parts like the back of their hand, and that every player feels confident enough to improvise. Too many times we’ve seen singers bring in their own band that was completely under prepared. Your rhythm guitar player should know every chord change, and be well versed enough to change a chord on the fly. Your backup vocalists should be able to hear new vocal harmonies and parts on the spot. Your lead guitar player should have three or four solos completely practiced and figured out before hand, and be able to improvise on those solos on the day of.

If your band is not prepared, it will cost you money. ALSO - No matter HOW strong your band is, make sure they can all play to a metronome.

It can be worth your money to hire a session musician, so as not to waste time with a band member who might not be as quick, skilled or practiced. We can’t stress this enough - being in the studio is not the same as performing live. There are studio cats who have worked in the studio for years and know how to get the proper sound for you. Our producer, Grady James is confident in most instruments, which can save you time and money. Feel free to contact us for connections to amazing studio musicians, or to set up a call with our producer!

3. Make sure you’ve found the right fit.

It is truly a big decision taking your music into a studio. Before you head into the studio be absolutely sure that the team you are working with is producing music that you love. Take the time to research your producer, engineer, and studio. Listen to examples of their work, read testimonials, talk to the producer. Make sure that it feels right. If you don’t vibe with the team, it’ll be hard to feel comfortable in the studio. Research, research, research and take the time to ask questions. If it is a great studio, they will be happy to take the time to make you feel confident, and comfortable.

If you’d like to get to know Studio45b a little better, please set up a free consultation phone call today to see if we are the right fit!

***Written by Danielle Todd***

5 things that make a strong song - it’s not what you think!

First off, lets remember that music is subjective. What you think is a great song, some others might not like at all. Always keep that in mind when you’re writing, or entering the studio. There is only one you in this world, and your unique musical palette is what will ultimately set you aside from other artists in the industry.

Okay! Let’s get to our five points.

1. Really know the purpose of your song.

There are a lot of reasons why musicians write and record. For example, perhaps you have lost a friend and you’d like to write a song to express your emotions around your loss. Maybe you are writing a song to release specifically to country radio in the USA and compete with other A-list country artists on the charts. You could also be looking to get onto a specific editorial playlist on Spotify, or Apple music. Whatever the true purpose of the song is, understanding your song goals can really help you during the recording process and even the writing process.

Lets take the second example and expand a little more on this. If you are looking to record a #1 song in the USA, then chances are you need to fit into a certain genre of music and you need to really know that genre. It would be a good idea to research all of the #1 singles in the last couple of years so you can follow production trends, lyrical trends, and melody trends. This is not to say to copy another persons #1, but if your goal is to be on top, you need to know what’s already at the top of the mountain so you can shoot and aim for it!

Like we said, there are many reasons to write and record a song. Having a better understanding of your songs purpose will help you write, produce, mix and master it so that your song has the best chance of reaching it’s full potential.

2. Space.

It is so important in production to give your song space. There are exceptions to every rule, but in general, having room to breathe between verses, or even between phrases really allows your mind to process the message of the song, or the message of a particular line. Sometimes productions can be overwhelming and having that little break can create a moment for the listener to process what they’re hearing.

Space can also be used creatively when you’re creating tension for a strong build. For example, if there is a point in your song with an intense production, it might be a good technique to take every instrument away suddenly, and just have the vocals in the recording. A similar example of this would be Zedd and Maren Morris in “The Middle,” where in the very first chorus, it drops to just vocals and a ticking clock sound, after having a pretty full production leading up to that moment.

Space is vital to create dynamics and make the music breathable. Take a listen to your own songs and see if there are places where you can create some breathing room.

3. Creating a unique vocal production.

Vocal production can often be overlooked in a recording session. Singer/songwriters can have a tendency of writing the song, and singing it exactly the same way as the first day they wrote it when they walk into the studio to record. While you want to have some melodies set in place before entering the studio, it is incredibly beneficial to have an open mind to suggestions on vocal recording days.

Lets start with harmony. One of the Queen’s of harmony in country music is Cam. Check out her song, “Diane,” which kicks off with acapella harmony. This is both powerful on a recording, but also in a live setting. Imagine being in a theatre and having the opening song just live vocals? It’s such a moving moment in a set, and on a recording.

How about vocal call backs? One of the easiest examples of this is Motown music. For a modern version of this, check out “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. Take a listen and try to pay attention to all the detail in the backing vocals. The vocal production in this song is absolutely incredible. A vocal baseline, with vocal pads, call backs in the pre-chorus, and an absolutely untouchable lead vocal. The vocal production on this song is what makes it so catchy, memorable and different. (Okay, there’s also a ton of production on here that isn’t vocal production, but you get what we mean!)

Once the vocals are tracked, including harmony, vocal pads (oo’s and ah’s), and a strong unique lead vocal, its time to mix and master the vocals. This is the last step in vocal production and one that you do not want to skimp out on.

4. Emotional connection.

It goes without saying that your audience needs to be emotionally connected to your music. But lets take a closer look - how can your music be emotionally connected to your song?

It is crucial to find a producer that understands your song. What emotion are you trying to convey? What are the lyrics about? Are they happy, sad, inspirational? Your production should align with these emotions.

To list a few songs that emotionally connected with their lyrics, take a listen to “Happy,” by Pharrell Williams (sorry in advance, this song will now be stuck in your head for days!) But lets be honest here, can you think of a “happier” sounding song? Take the lyrics away and listen to the melody and production. That song is upbeat, exciting, cheerful and makes you want to dance. Pharrell and his team found a way to make this song explode with happy endorphins. It is a great example of how important it is for the lyrics to emotionally connect with the production.

On the flip side, Adele’s song “Someone Like You,” focuses on a sad, nostalgic breakup. Can you think of a more successful sad song in modern years? It goes without saying that Adele’s vocals are on point, and convey her emotions on every level. The imperfections in the vocal take make you feel like she is almost on the verge of tears when she is singing it. Her lyrics and subtle vocal inflections take you on a journey, taking you back to the very moment of her breakup, evoking the same emotions within you. You barely notice the piano in the background, and the subtle vocal production changes throughout the song because you’re so immersed in her story. The producer on this song knew when to step back and give Adele the space she needed to knock this song out of the park. This emotional connection is powerful.

5. Be You.

Okay, we get it. You’ve heard this before. But it’s true. You need to be authentically, loudly, fearlessly, unapologetically yourself for your music to stand out and become a work of art. Nobody in the world has the same ideas that you have floating around in your brain. You need to shine in your songwriting, vocals, and production. If you don’t set yourself apart from other artists in the industry, you will fall by the wayside. Trust yourself, your instincts and believe in your craft. You will thank yourself for it later.

Think of Lady Gaga, Adele, Zach Bryan, Cody Johnson, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton. These are all incredibly successful artists that stood up for what they believe in and didn’t waver, while paving the way for artists to follow. They made their stamp and changed the music industry.

Do it. Be you. See what happens.

6. Bonus! High quality recording.

We couldn’t let you leave without explaining the importance of hiring a team that knows their craft inside and out to help make you sound the best you possibly can. Heading into a studio can be overwhelmingly intimidating. You need to have a team on your side that believes in you and wants to help you create your unique masterpiece.

Pick a studio, engineer, producer and session musicians who are experienced, have a great track record, listen to you, and who you feel comfortable and confident working with. Don’t be afraid to speak up and call the final shots.

We are here to say that if you have an amazing song, with killer vocals and a great backing band, you need to have a high quality mix and master of this track or it will not get the recognition it deserves. Do not bring your music this far without making sure you spend the proper amount of care on polishing and refining it. It has to have a radio standard quality for anybody in the industry to give it the time of day.

Now that we’ve covered 5 points that make your song amazing, what are some points that you have to work on? Are there any other points that you would add?

We believe in you and want you to succeed. Contact us today if you feel like you are ready to start your recording process.

***Written by Danielle Todd***

Caleb Mills - Feature Artist of the Month

We’d love to introduce you to Caleb Mills!

Caleb found Studio45b through word-of-mouth, as so many artists did in the beginning days. When he initially came into our Studio, we were blown away with his voice. For such a young man, he had an incredible amount of feeling and soul radiating from each note.

It wasn’t long before we noticed his hit songwriting skills. S-U-R-V-I-V-E is a cheeky song that came to life with Grady and Caleb working alongside each other. This song catapulted Caleb on TikTok, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers overnight.

We sat down with Caleb to get the insight on his newest EP, "You Only," that he recorded right here at Studio45b.

Let’s get to it!

Studio45b: Caleb! It’s so great to chat with you. Congratulations on your new EP release. Can you tell us a little bit about the process for picking these songs, and how the EP came together?

Caleb: I honestly didn't plan for these songs to go on a project together at all. Once I had all 3 back though, I slowly connected them all, and to me they fit perfectly as a collective. 

Studio45b: Tell us about your recording experience. Did you face any challenges and how did you overcome them?

Caleb: Not really, but it is funny that initially "Me And You" was going to be a demo to pitch. I ended up loving it so much that I had to put it on the EP.

Studio45b: Good thing, because we love that song! How do you balance creative direction with commercial appeal?

Caleb: For me, I try not to think too much into commercial appeal, as long as the song isn't 5 minutes long I feel like my creativity is enough to make a song commercial. 

Studio45b: What do you think is the most challenging aspect that musicians face in todays industry?

Caleb: I think the most challenging aspect of today's industry is the immense amount of music/musicians. It is extremely competitive with so many people having the ability to release their own records. The constant demand for new music by fans is great but it takes away from a lot of artists' ability to stay relevant.

Studio45b: Tell us about your TikTok following. You've blown up! Congratulations. Are you finding that it's helping your career? Is it a good platform for you?

Caleb: Without TikTok I wouldn't have anywhere near the amount of support that I have. I tell every artist, writer, producer, etc. if they aren't on TikTok it needs to be the very next thing they do. It has furthered my career more than anything else. At times, the constant need to put out content is a lot, but in the end it's 100% worth it!

Studio45b: Tell us about the most memerable show you've played!

Caleb: The most memorable show I've ever played is probably Whiskey Jam at Winner's in Nashville. It's such an iconic place and event to play. It was so much fun and is an honor to be a part of that family. 

Studio45b: We love Whiskey Jam. Congrats on playing such a prestigious gig! What is the best piece of musical advice you've ever received?

Caleb: "You can't sing it if you don't feel it" - My Grandaddy

Studio45b: We love that! Do you have any favorite songs on the EP?

Caleb: My favorite song from the You Only EP is definitely "Keep On". It's more of a slow jam love song which is my favorite style to write. I also wrote it alone so it means a lot to me.

Studio45b: Can you share who collaborated on this album with you? Writers, producers, players, if any?

Caleb: The legend himself, Mr. Grady James, played everything on this EP other than a few acoustic guitars that I did. We produced it together, mostly me making weird noises with my mouth and him turning them into real music. My co-writers on this project were Eric Michael Taylor, Parker Leblanc, Caleb Lathrop, Ethan Wynn, and Andrew Parris.

Studio45b: Hey, I think we’ve heard of those guys! Thank you for sending them to our Studio. Lastly, we have a legendary Mexican restaurant down the street from our studio. Pedro’s has become a client favorite around here! What is your favorite thing on the menu?

Caleb: ALL OF IT! If you're recording with Grady, and he asks if you're hungry, just say yes. Pedro's is worth every penny.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Caleb. We can’t wait to see you in the Studio again soon. Congratulations on all your success!

Check out Caleb’s new EP here.

Check out Caleb’s website here.

Check out Caleb on TikTok here.