by guest contributor, Eoin Donovan
Austin Gardea and I chatted about his experiences with Zig Productions, located in the basement of the Arlington Museum of Art. Since the museum was closed for exhibition installation at the time of our interview, we booked a study room in the Arlington Public Library. Just a one-minute walk from the museum on the third floor, we began our discussion.
We discussed Austin’s early career, how he got involved with Zig Productions, and an exciting project he calls Umix Interactive Music. We discussed creating community, the chemistry between new and old contacts, come-as-you-are drum circles, interactive art, and what makes live performances memorable.
– Eoin Donovan
An Interview with Austin Gardea
UMIX
Noticing the Immersive Van Gogh art experience in Dallas inspired Austin. “What could I do to make music interactive?” Gardea asked.
From the start of our conversation, it was undeniable that his excitement was focused on his latest pursuit. The Umix Interactive Music Experience is something to be excited about – especially for those that don’t believe they are musically inclined. In its current iteration (as of this interview), seven to eight people connect by manipulating sounds through MIDI controllers. The system allows Umix users to adjust their headphone mix without affecting anyone else’s experience, musically, in case they just wanted to tune in.
Austin tested the concept initially with friends but was recently able to test this idea in front of new audiences at 500x Gallery. One of his friends recommended that he stay open to keeping up with emerging technologies beyond MIDI controllers to complement different ways people can create. Austin’s current goal is to host Umix Interactive Music Experience at least once a month to excite new audiences.
AUSTIN BEHIND THE SCENES
Austin’s music experience began at eleven when he learned guitar. As time went on, Austin got better and expanded his network with musicians. In high school, he discovered the world of recording, so he acquired Ableton Live and a recording interface that he shared with a friend of his. For these recordings, Austin played guitar and bass while his friend played drums.
Austin set up a home recording studio where he creates demos and mixes his work. At his studio, he uses small studio monitors, a 2-channel interface, and an Ableton Push MIDI device. The Push is one of Austin’s favorite tools since it has the adaptability of any sound while being operated like a bass guitar. Austin plays bass, guitar, and keyboard. When writing, he typically programs the drums and keyboard sounds.
A typical writing session for Austin starts with fleshing his ideas out. From there, Austin records other musicians riffing over the ideas until they come up with something that sounds good. Austin typically has other parts in mind but highly values the first instinct of outside perspectives when collaborating.
Next, he arranges the collaborated parts with his original ideas in his home studio. The song reaches completion at this point so Austin re-records and mixes everything. Once the work is mixed, he will bring his work up to Zig Productions for a critical listen.
ZIG AND BEYOND
Austin has been present with Zig Productions since the beginning. Austin’s friend, Cameron Gomez, introduced Austin to Billy Herzig, owner of Zig Productions. Cameron played drums for Billy and the artist Tori Martin, and he invited Austin to rehearse with them. The lineup consisted of Tori Martin on vocals, Billy Herzig on guitar, Cameron on drums, and Austin on bass. Prior to Austin joining the group, they would play as a three-piece with upright bass, acoustic guitar, and no drums.
At this point, Zig Productions was still being built in the basement of the Arlington Museum of Art. When it was finished, Billy invited Austin to record in a professional capacity. With Austin’s prior recording experience, it only took him a few months of sessions before he was ready to start recording on his own. Having Billy as a thoughtful resource, Austin also had the opportunity to work in other studios. Austin recorded his project, ALG, and another group called Mahoganie at The Cove Studios.
Because the studio’s location inside the museum, Austin and the AMA staff became well-acquainted. After years of interaction while loading equipment in and out of the building, Austin feels very welcome by their support, which has made work for him comfortable and enjoyable. Working in the heart of the museum has made a positive impact on Austin’s work.
“Having to walk through (the museum) to get to the studio is like walking into a cool office that you work at,” he said. “Seeing the middle school and high school exhibits [is] always awesome because you see young, talented folks and what they can do, and that’s really inspiring. Just seeing the variety of things… different mediums that they do is really awesome and inspiring. [I need to] step my game up with my craft.”
More Information
Austin’s Website
austingardea.com
Umix Interactive Music Experience Teaser
youtu.be/Z-sv-zdBctw
More information about Billy Herzig: zigworld.com, plus read Eoin’s story
