Stephen Cole is a Liverpool-based producer, engineer, writer and performer with more than twenty years of experience
working across music, film and interdisciplinary arts.
As the founder of What Studio, he has developed a diverse body of work spanning independent, alternative, experimental and commercial projects.
His approach combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of the creative process and what an artist may need,
developed through years of working with 100's of artists to finish 1000's of songs
Stephen has received multiple longlist nominations from the
Music Producers Guild, including Mix Engineer of the Year and
Breakthrough Producer of the Year categories.
Alongside critical acclaim from The Wire, Pitchfork, The Quietus, and Clash Magazine, highlighting
his adventurous and innovative approach to recording and production.
His own group, a.P.A.t.T., has been described as "genre-defying" and "deliriously inventive",
reflecting an ethos that continues to inform his work as a Producer.
WATCH Film by @SketchBenjamin
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NEWS Stephen was long listed Breakthrough Producer of Year
& Mix Engineer of the Year at the Music Producers Guild
NEWS Stephen was long listed for Self Producing Artist at the Music Producers Guild
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LISTEN Full podcast series SOUND TORQUE with good guests and eveything
Talking sound. Sound Torque is a podcast exploring pro-audio from an independent, DIY perspective. Each episode features a special guest talking about all things sound, production, recording, mixing, mastering, and existing as an independent audio professional.
Hosted by The Stephens.® Stephen Kerrison Mastering and Stephen Cole of What Studio.
That's the spiel. Podcast is it aye?
Now before you puke etc... this was a really important thing for me. Lockdown happened...Remember that? And we had to do sumin'? Right? So yes, this is what I did. With brill Ste K . I certain I can safely say we both made such a bunch of friends and important and lasting connections,
often still leading to where I am now.
Look at this star studded cast
1 Andrew Hung - The More You Know
2 Joel Hamilton - Finding Better
3 Katie Tavini - Vibes Engineer
4 Gyp Buggane - It’s Not About You
5 Sharron Fortnam - Putting The Baubles On
6 Wayne Adams - Really Into Mid-Range
7 Annie Gardiner - Get It Right At Source
8 Joe Garcia - It’s All About Empathy
9 Kavus Torabi - Now Rock & Roll Has Stopped
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LISTEN WCA #430 with Stephen Cole – Data Cassettes, Recycled Magazines,
Self Sufficiency, Mini Disk 4 Track, and Music 24/7
It was an absolute joy to be talkm to Matt and be featured on the longest running audio podcast Working Class Audio
We talked Data Cassettes, Prank Calls, Slayer, Recycled Magazines, Mini Disk, all that kinda stuff.
This links to Apple Podcast but it is avaible wherever you get yours
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WATCH Studio Hang at Studio G, Brooklyn, New York,
w/ Joel Hamilton and Epitaph's Thick
I took a Studio Snoop at Studio G, Brooklyn with the legend Joel Hamilton with Epitaphs' very own 3 piece Thick for the recording of their album Loser.
I was fortunate to receive an Arts Award project grant. And as part of that funding, I created a project called
Postmusics Indoor Toboggan Sessions — an ambitious series of recordings,
collaborations and studio visits that helped shape the way I think about music production and studio managment.
I spent three weeks learing and confiming my practice. It was because of this NY trip I really inspird to indroduce a volunteer program here at What Studio
Prior, I had the pleasure of welcoming Joel onto a podcast, Sound Torque, featured above.
Today, I'm proud to call Joel a mentor. A huge thank you to Joel and the entire Studio G Brooklyn crew. I miss you all.
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WATCH POSTMUSIC Indoor Toboggan Sessions
'The Montage' POSTMUSIC Indoor Toboggan Sessions is a collaborative series produced by Stephen Cole for WhatStudio. This was helped by funding from the Arts Council of England and airtime from The Popular Music Show on BBC Radio Merseyside
Artists involved include Parabhen Lad (The Jubilee Stompers), Lisa Fawcett (Lonesaw, Pale Rider), Timba Harris (Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3), Genevieve Rosa Baker (Zombina and the Skeletones), composer, Nick Smith, Claire Welles, Dot Wav (a.P.A.t.T.), Anindya Kartika-Orr (Dyasono), Emily Megan Lansely (Stealing Sheep, Vice Moth), and Sharron Fortnam (Led Bib, North Sea Radio Orchestra, Cardiacs). All recorded over 12 ish months,
Visit ALL the POSTMUSIC Indoor Toboggan Sessions here
Read all about POSTMUSIC Indoor Toboggan Sessions in this
article by the wonderful Sun 13
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WATCH TAPE CLUB: Live filmed session series
Tape Club was a SIF-supported project delivered by What Studio, created to support seven emerging grassroots artists through
professionally produced live filmed recording sessions.
Each artist developed material specifically for a bespoke session, which was recorded live with simultaneous multi-camera filming. The recordings combined analogue and digital production techniques, using traditional tape machines alongside modern recording technology to
explore the creative possibilities of both formats.
The resulting audio and video provided each artist with high-quality promotional things to support future releases, bookings and audience development.
SIF's investment in equipment, studio infrastructure and in-kind support enabled What Studio to deliver Tape Club at a high level. Crucially, the funding ensured that everyone involved was paid fairly, including the participating artists, videographers and the wider creative team, helping to demonstrate a sustainable and equitable model for grassroots music production.
Visit ALL TAPE CLUB Sessions HERE
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NEWS NAMM Visit 26
The year I visited the unusual desination of L.A. to go to the biggest guitar centre in the world .NAMM fest.
VIddy all the stuff here.
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NEWS Studio Hang at Brixton Hill Studios
Brixton Hill Studios Snoop Big thanks to Nic and Stephen for being incredible humans. And hugs to all involved... Just a wonderful weeks session.
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WATCH POSTMUSIC Cinema Sessions (2009)
During the last 6 months of 2009, members of POSTMUSIC began creating a documentary in a disused, cold, rainy, almost-entirely-broken 1930s art deco Odeon Cinema in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, Northwest UK. In spring we found a way into the building, cleaned up the areas that were usable and set up a studio. We began inviting musicians and bands to record a live session in one of the building's many rotten rooms, corridors, roofs and balconies, as well as in the main theatre room itself. Hosted by Riuven and features performances from: Action Beat. a.P.A.t.T. Barberos. Barbieshop. Gigantes. Hot Club de Paris. Indica Ritual. Mugstar. Stig Noise. Sidney Baileys No Good Punchin' Clowns. The International. Trouble with Books. Zombina and the Skeletones. plus a spoken word from Paul Tarpy.
You can see more about POSTMUSIC HERE
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