Meet Alex Koch

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex Koch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alex , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
For me, the purpose is in the process itself. I live in the process every day by consistently taking small steps toward larger goals. Whether those steps involve mixing a song, communicating with clients, or organizing the studio, they are all part of how I view and appreciate my lifestyle as a professional. When things fall apart or don’t go according to plan, there are many times where the easy choice may be to give up. I persevere, however, knowing that I accept and find meaning in, yes, the successes, but also the hardships, monotony, and tedium that independent musicians and producers can face.

I’ll give you an example: A few weeks ago, I had to gut my whole studio and rewire it to make room for some new equipment. This is a process I was unfamiliar with. At one point I was in my room, behind my desk, surrounded by hundreds of cables. I was completely lost in the mess, and I had a bit of an emotional breakdown. I was amid several projects for various clients and I didn’t know how I was going to get this whole thing worked out. It made me question my purpose. Why was I putting myself through this? When I eventually saw past the chatter in my mind, I was able to step away from the noise and realize the end result was just steps away. All the work I was putting in was serving my higher purpose by advancing my studio to new heights. It has been about a month and I’m so grateful I went through that process. The enthusiasm I still have toward learning the craft of production is a process that doesn’t really end unless you let it end.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a musician at heart who turned into an audio and recording enthusiast at around the age of 15.  I ventured out into recording and that led me out to Los Angeles at the ripe age of 20 to immerse myself in the music world out here.  I started gigging and playing in bands as a guitarist and bassist. I was also learning production and recording local acts while going to school at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.  After working in some commercial studios as an assistant engineer I soon realized I wanted to invest the time and energy into building up my own studio instead of working at someone else’s.  

I’m thrilled to share that Digital Dust LLC, my music production venture, has recently marked its 10-year anniversary. It’s been one hell of a journey, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on the path it’s taken over the last decade.

The story began when I helped an artist hit his crowdfunding goal for his album. Half of the funds he raised went straight into building my studio and launching Digital Dust LLC. While I already had a solid collection of instruments and equipment, this financial boost allowed me to invest in high-end analog equipment, such as mic preamps, compressors, EQs, and a new mic collection. With these tools, I was able to take the sonic experience to a whole new level, and that led to more projects and collaborations with diverse artists.  In the beginning, I was working out of my home studio located in Koreatown. These days, I am located in a commercial space over in the San Fernando Valley.

Over the years,  I’ve continued to expand my collection of sounds and hone my skills. I can confidently say that I now possess everything I need to bring the sounds in my head to life and to create precisely what my clients desire.
My day-to-day activities vary, but I’m grateful to be consistently booked with work that should keep me busy until the new year. I’m presently collaborating with a handful of artists across a spectrum of genres, which keeps the work exciting. There’s a 90s alternative rock project, another with a psych and throwback vibe, one with a John Mayer singer-songwriter feel, and an avant-garde experimental venture. There’s an alternative indie project with a Lana Del Rey style vibe (shout-out to Perry Pollaci, George Bell, Tim Hayn,  Bakin For Boomer, and Brklynn).
I’m also working with artists who are more focused on production and beats. I’ve been working with an artist named GAL with a modern sound influenced by artists like Kanye and Doja Cat. There’s also a young soul singer named Love Moor with a distinctive and powerful voice. And my collaboration with Laneo Cinco, a young producer and artist, always introduces me to new sounds and a different approach to music. We even recently filmed a podcast at Digital Dust with another artist/friend named Vitra, and we’re considering making it an ongoing project.
On a personal note, I’m excited to share that I’ll be releasing a meditation album under the name ‘llull.’ It’s 28 minutes of instrumental music created on my collection of analog synths and is currently in the mastering stage. Additionally, I just released a music video for one of my own songs under my artist name, Detective 47, featuring Fatlip from the legendary group The Pharcyde. It was a significant step for me because it meant overcoming my fear of putting myself out there on vocals, which taught me a lot about self-expression through words and art, a journey many of the artists I work with are familiar with.

Recently, I became a service provider for Mikey Shiloh’s online label, Hrdrv, which has been an exciting experience. Their forward-thinking approach to an online record label looks promising for the future of the industry.
Finally, I’m collaborating with Director Ian Mattingly and the Mattingly Boys on scoring their latest indie film, ‘Paper Crowns.’ It’s been a great experience so far, allowing me to work on spaghetti western-style guitars and themes that add a unique flavor to the project.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1.  Putting in the Hours and Time:

There are no shortcuts in this field, despite numerous offers promising otherwise.  Mastery of your gear and equipment is paramount.  If you’re a musician, ensure you practice regularly; if you’re a mixer, spend time refining your skills with both software and analog gear.  While Youtube tutorials are valuable, the real results come from hands-on experimentation and practice, allowing you to learn from mistakes and refine your craft.  

  1. Intervals:

In both music and life, everything unfolds through a series of intervals.  Just as there are 12 notes in the western scale, musical ideas progress from one note to the next-an interval.  It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with a large project, but breaking it down in simple intervals helps maintain focus.  Recently, while working on a film score, I found myself overthinking the entire project.  Stepping back and approaching it one scene at a time allowed me to regain control.  Whether it’s composing music or navigating life, success often comes from taking one step at a time-moving from one chord to the next, or one note to the next.  

  1. Service:

In the world of music production, it’s essential to recognize that we are in a service industry.  This perspective was instilled in me by a mentor at a young age and has been a game changer ever since.  I’ve learned to discard the role of a critic and focus on serving the artist.  Working with diverse individuals, I understand that my role is to help them create a piece of art they can be proud of for a lifetime.  Whether I’m contributing as a musician or in the production process, it’s about serving the song.  If adjustments are needed, it’s not a reflection on me; it’s an opportunity to refine my work until the artist is satisfied.  Ultimately, my goal is to ensure they take home a piece of art that resonates with them on a personal level.  

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I recently randomly saw a tweet that says “If you want to make any kind of art for a living, here’s the good & bad news: There’s really no work/life balance or time management. You’ll likely drown in your passion & the work that comes w/it. But if you stay down, eventually you’ll learn to breathe under water.”

This is one of the most honest quotes I’ve read and find it to be true. I’ve struggled to find balance; I’m working on time management but the truth is probably in the above quote. I just think I’ve learned how to breathe underwater, but I am trying to find a gentler way. As of this moment, it’s just not my time. I’ve come to accept the sacrifice as part of my calling.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Richard Gargingalao

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