Sound Factory

February 6th, 2010 | By Rob Franklin

Madison has a rich and deep music performance history. The Steve Miller Band, Garbage, The Original Funky Drummer Clyde Stubblefield, even Otis Redding’s death has a Madison tie. One of the biggest strengths that Madison also offers is a history of great recording studios. 608 recently sat down with Jake Johnson and Bill Maynard from Paradyme Productions (www.paradymeproductions. com), Mark Whitcomb from DNA Studios (www.dnamusiclabs. com) and Mike Zirkel and Beau Sorenson from Smart Studios (www.smartgeeks.com) to get a look at what the studios are currently working on as well as their thoughts on the continuing emergence of Madison Hip-Hop as a fixture in the general Madison music scene.

608: WHEN DID YOU OPEN?

Jake (Paradyme): 2005 is when the actual studio opened, but I had done freelance work since 1996.

Mark (DNA): We opened up shop in 2001, with Brian Daley and myself.

Mike (Smart): We started things in 1983.

608: DID YOU INTEND ON HIP-HOP BEING PART OF YOUR STUDIO PLAN?

Jake (Paradyme): Yeah, I did a lot of beat making, so it was one of my initial intentions. I was working with Catic Contentions , KC, Vice Versa, Hollow Point and a couple of other acts, so I worked with Hip- Hop just as much as other genres.

Mark (DNA): I won’t say that it was planned. But we always knew that we wanted to deal with Madison music. Brian was actually working with Kato back then so we always knew that we were open to working with all genres. We just wanted to be able to provide quality service to folks here in town.

Mike (Smart): You know, the studio never intended to be any one thing. Once some of the rock stuff began to take off we were labeled as the rock studio. But overall, we’re just a studio.

608: WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS THAT YOU’VE WORKED WITH?

Jake (Paradyme): There’s Skully D, A.N.T., Felicia Alima, D.L.O., Rob Dz, Sajida, Urban Legend, Elements Of Change, DJ Freek-A-Style, Ricci Fisher.

Mark (DNA): Rob Dz, F. Stokes, Bi- Polar Bear, Jo Flowroshus, T-Dubb, Mr. Grass, Grown Man, Kalo, Natty Nation, Nama Rumpa and Weapons Of Mass Defunktion.

Mike (Smart): Smokes is doing some cool stuff right now. We also did the Cougar record, we’ve got Mike George doing something and we’ve done some work with dumate. Of course, there’s Garbage, Nirvana, Death Cab For Cutie and Fall Out Boy.

608: WHAT IS THE UPSIDE OF HIP-HOP IN MADISON?

Jake (Paradyme): I think that there’s more support for alternative Hip-Hop here, meaning stuff that’s not mainstream and is more thought-provoking.

Bill (Paradyme): I’d say people are wide on musical styles here. Hip- Hop has developed into a cultural phenomenon, and I think people here are becoming more open to it.

Mark (DNA): Honestly, it’s an inexpensive way for artists to communicate. As opposed to other genres, it takes less time to put out a Hip-Hop product. And in comparison to major cities, it’s pretty sweet because the artists here have great business sense because they pretty much have to in order to get ahead.

Mike (Smart): I think the fact that it’s surfacing more on the mainstream level speaks volumes compared to 10 years ago.

Beau (Smart): Yeah man, I mean, Madison is the center spot in the Midwest. You can go to Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee so that’s huge for the scene because more artists are passing through which gives credibility to the scene. It’s more open, like there is no Rhymesayers or label controlling the scene so I think that is allowing people to start making their own marks and working on the same teams or at least collaborating.

608: WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?

Jake (Paradyme): Lack of support. I just don’t think there are enough venues for Hip-Hop artists to really get a head of steam going. Plus I don’t see a lot of all ages Hip-Hop shows.

Bill (Paradyme): Yeah, sometimes I think people forget that making music is about having fun. It starts with the kids man!

Mark (DNA): I’d agree, there is no consistent venue. Once in a while you get a big show like a Brother Ali show or a Ludacris or Ghostface show, but nothing really consistent. It’s way too spread out.

Beau (Smart): I think a lot of the downside is on the city’s side, meaning the way that things become labeled and decisions are made by the few in control. Like Madison has no club where you can always see Hip-Hop, not just like once or twice a month.

608: WHAT IS YOUR FORECAST FOR MADISON HIP-HOP IN 2010?

Jake (Paradyme): I listen to the radio and I’m kinda disappointed, maybe I’ve lost touch… but I think Hip-Hop cover bands will take off!

Bill (Paradyme): I think more live music in Hip-Hop shows, just more artistry. I think Hip-Hop artists will connect more which will allow someone to break from here.

Mark (DNA): People are gonna come together more. Established and new artists are going to work more to make sure that true school Hip- Hop survives. I think one of our clients, Sweez, will have a big year. He’s from Florida. One of our engineers, Vaughn Freitag, is producing a lot of the project and it’s sounding pretty sick.

Mike (Smart): I think Madison’s decision makers will finally be able to co-exist and work with Madison’s storytellers and that 608 Magazine will propel Madison Hip-Hop into an awesome place!

Beau (Smart): I think 2010 will be a positive movement toward citywide acceptance for Hip-Hop. I also think Smokes is that dude. He’s got a plan and it’s impressive. He’s got his s**t together!

Photos courtesy of  DNA, Smart & Paradyme Studios