We recently connected with Raul (Riff) Cuellar and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Raul (Riff) with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I come from a family with a strong legacy of hard work and resilience. My parents, who have been the driving force in my life, dedicated themselves to providing a better life for me and my sisters by migrating all around the world. Growing up, I had the privilege of witnessing my dad’s unwavering commitment, putting in long hours each day to make our dreams a reality. I also had the opportunity to see my mom’s incredible adaptability as she navigated foreign environments, even when she couldn’t speak the language or find familiar reminders of home.
These experiences have left an indelible mark on my personality and work ethic. My parents, their relentless pursuit of a better life for our family, and their ability to thrive in challenging situations are the beacons I constantly chase for my own fortitude and work ethic. Their dedication and resilience have become an integral part of my identity, motivating me to approach my work with the same level of determination and adaptability that they exemplified throughout their lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My journey has been quite a ride. I was born in Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico, and my family’s constant migration around the world exposed me to a diverse range of music. My mother had a strong affinity for traditional Mexican music, so it wasn’t uncommon to find her jamming to Vicente Fernandez or Paquita Del Barrio. In contrast, my dad was deeply into classic rock, with a love for bands like The Beatles, Mána, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Pink Floyd, just to name a few.
As someone who never felt rooted in any one place due to our constant travels, I found solace and belonging in punk music. Punk’s emphasis on community and the feeling of being an outcast resonated with me, and it provided a sense of home. I started playing in bands at a young age, which quickly led to touring the country and booking shows in my hometown. This period allowed me to build a strong network within the music scene.
After high school, I decided to pursue my passion further and attended a school for audio engineering. I gained valuable knowledge and eventually secured a job at Blue Microphones, where I worked on their pro line of microphones. Following that, I embarked on my journey at Palmquist Studios, where I steadily worked my way up to the position of a house engineer. It was there that I had the privilege of working with bands like Bad Suns, CHON, Mutemath, and many others.
But life took some unexpected turns, and I found myself working in retail to make ends meet. Determined to continue pursuing my passion for music production, I co-founded my first studio, Spot 8816 in Whittier, CA, where I began honing my unique sound. I balanced my time between full-time audio work and retail to fuel my creative endeavors. Eventually, I had the opportunity to work with producer Kyle Black from West Alley Recording, and it was during this time that Voyage reached out for an interview, which was incredibly humbling.
However, as COVID-19 hit, the dynamics of my partnership with Kyle shifted, prompting me to strike out on my own. I decided to open a new studio, this time solely under my ownership, allowing me to have full control over my work. After an extensive search, I realized that commercial facilities might not be the best fit for the bands I worked with, so I made a bold decision. I poured every penny I had saved over the last six years from my retail job into creating my own studio.
In July 2022, Riff Audio LLC officially opened its doors in Burbank, CA. We primarily focus on punk and hardcore music but have also ventured into all genres from singer-songwriter projects and modern pop music. The driving idea behind Riff Audio is to bridge the gap for artists, offering them the best possible experience within their budgets. We’ve been honored to work with some incredible bands such as NOFX, Circle Jerks, Non Servium, Papa Roach, Jeris Johnson, HUNNY, Zeta, NIIS, and many more.
Our mission is to provide artists with a top-notch studio experience, drawing inspiration from legendary studios like The Blasting Room, Palmquist Studios, Buzzbomb, and many other’s work. The control room and live room at Riff Audio were professionally designed by none other than John H. Brandt, known for his contributions to some of the world’s best studios, including The Blasting Room. The response from our community has been overwhelming, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.
We’ve got some exciting projects in the pipeline, but for now, they remain confidential. I invite everyone to follow us on social media @riff.audio to stay updated on the incredible things we have in store!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’d be happy to share the three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey:
1 – Patience: One of the most crucial qualities I’ve developed is patience. Early on, I often found myself in a rut, comparing my work to others and feeling like I should be at a different stage in my career. Over time, I learned that comparing myself to more established producers and engineers wasn’t productive. Instead, I focused on my own growth and development. I realized that I might not have been ready to work with certain bands or artists at the time, and that’s okay. Patience has taught me that everything I’ve ever wanted will come my way when the timing is right. It’s a valuable lesson in letting go of the need for immediate success and trusting the journey.
2 – Attention to Detail: Paying attention to the details is a skill that has greatly impacted my career. In the competitive world of music production, there will always be someone with more experience or clout. However, what sets you apart is your ability to notice and address the finer points that others might overlook. For instance, taking the time to understand a vocalist’s perspective, such as their eye level, helps me set up the vocal microphone precisely to their needs. Small gestures like offering room-temperature and cold water for artists can make their experience in the studio exceptional. These seemingly minor details create a more comfortable and welcoming environment, ultimately fostering stronger relationships within the music community.
3 – Do More with Less: Over the years, I’ve realized the importance of making the most of the tools and resources at hand. I’ve fallen into the trap of thinking that I needed the latest and greatest equipment or software to improve my studio work. However, the truth is that I already possessed the essential tools necessary for high-quality production. Instead of constantly seeking upgrades, I focused on understanding every nuance of the tools I had. This mindset shift not only saved me from unnecessary expenses but also empowered me to become more resourceful and creative in my work. Learning to do more with less has been a game-changer in my career.
These qualities and skills have been instrumental in my journey and have helped me navigate the challenges and opportunities that have come my way in the world of music production.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always excited to collaborate with individuals who share the same passion and drive for music as I do. I’m looking for people who are unapologetically dedicated to their craft and are eager to unlock their full potential. Music, to me, is the most vulnerable and powerful form of expression, and I’m here to support artists who can’t imagine a life without it.
I believe in creating a community where there’s no room for competition, but instead, a culture of mutual support and encouragement. I’ve been fortunate to build strong and lasting friendships through music, and I’m committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie in everything I do.
So, if you’re an artist, musician, or anyone in the music industry who is looking for a supportive and collaborative environment, Riff Audio is here with open arms. Feel free to connect with us through our social media channels, particularly @riff.audio, and let’s explore the possibilities of working together to create something amazing. Whether it’s recording, producing, or any aspect of music production, we’re here to elevate and assist you on your musical journey, even beyond the studio session.
Contact Info:
- Website: riffaudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riff.audio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raul.cuellar.52
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raul-cuellar-43b02095/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQnvdHC4bzEoydthKQu8iUg
Image Credits
please visit my website for all credits: https://riffaudio.com/discography
