Meet Sam Chassy

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

Sam, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

For much of my life, confidence and self-esteem were things I struggled to develop. Despite having the privilege of learning and working in incredible environments and with talented people in music, audio engineering, and life otherwise, I never really felt secure in myself. Most of that has stemmed from my struggles with addiction, which started when I was a kid and has been a constant battle ever since. There were times when it felt like my self-worth was completely eroded by those struggles, and even now, there are moments when I still feel the pull of that uncertainty.

But the turning point for me came a few years ago when I started working on myself in a much more intentional way. After years of therapy, and most significantly, after finding an incredible anonymous 12-step program, I began to see the possibility of real change. I’ve learned how to realign myself with my core values and to be open with others, rather than keeping things bottled up or hidden. That openness has allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level, and most importantly, to lean on the people in my support network—people who help remind me of my worth when I forget it.

Through this process, I’ve also learned the value of making amends. I’ve worked hard to repair relationships that I’ve damaged over the years, and that has been both humbling and empowering. It’s taught me that I don’t have to be defined by my past mistakes. In fact, the only way to truly heal and move forward is to not regret the past, nor shut the door on it, but to take responsibility for it and grow from it.

This journey has allowed me to develop a much stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence. I don’t have to wait for validation from others anymore; I’ve learned to rely on my own values and actions to shape how I feel about myself. I approach my work with that same mindset—whether it’s in my role as a mastering engineer or as a business owner. I know that the confidence I now feel isn’t perfect or unshakeable, but it’s enough for me to take risks, make decisions with clarity, and pursue my goals with a sense of purpose.

At the end of the day, it’s about being honest with myself, accepting my flaws and strengths, and doing the work to keep improving—whether in my personal life or in my career. It’s a lifelong process, but it’s one that’s brought me the confidence and self-esteem I was always searching for, and that’s something I continue to build on every day.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up as the child of a foreign service officer, I was fortunate enough to live in diverse corners of the world—Conakry, Guinea; Pretoria, South Africa; and Tegucigalpa, Honduras—and traveling everywhere in-between before moving back to Buffalo, New York to finish middle and high school. Living among and experiencing a myriad of cultures and how they fit together is what has informed my deep reverence for the ability of a diverse, often even conflicted, array of ideas to merge, creating something accepted and appreciated by a greater sum than its parts. I firmly believe this transcendental ability is nowhere better exemplified and appreciated by humanity than through music.

Since I was a child, music has always been my way of processing the world and my experience within it. Whether through playing instruments, writing songs, or collaborating with others in performance. After deciding to purse a music and sound recording degree while attending university, I realized that I was drawn to the technical side of music production. I found myself more fascinated with the process of taking a song—raw and unrefined—and turning it into a record that can live on for years to come.

After graduation, I moved back to Nashville, Tennessee where I had done a study away program and internship at the legendary Blackbird Studio my junior year. I began to freelance as an audio engineer and worked as an assistant at a few other incredible recording and mastering studios. The more I worked in all aspects of music production for major label names to indie artists, and after finding an incredible mentor, I realized that my purpose in life and skillset lies in mastering, the final step in making a record.

I’ve learned that mastering isn’t just about achieving sonic perfection. It’s about preserving the artist’s vision and making sure their work is heard exactly as they intended, no matter where it plays or for whom. It is never just about the technical skill using my tools to enhance final mixes or make things competitively loud; it is about understanding and respecting that chaos that every artist goes through to create something meaningful and then giving that creation its best chance to be appreciated by the world, which is what excites and pushes me to continue to hone my craft every day.

This certainly wasn’t a sudden realization, but has been a process of learning, experimenting, and absorbing lessons from every engineer, every artist, and every record I’ve worked on and listened to. Once I realized my true calling, I started my own business to take that destiny into my own hands. At Mind’s Eye Mastering, my work is to help artists finalize their vision and give their music a voice that resonates beyond their mind’s eye. My purpose is to ensure that their music gets the attention it deserves, and that the journey it takes to reach listeners is as flawless and impactful as possible.

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

First, networking is crucial. Living in Nashville, which is full of incredible people in all aspects of the music industry, and I’ve learned that reaching out to those whose work I admire—coming from an honest place of curiosity and connection—has opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Follow-up is key, too; making lists and keeping track of who you want to connect with has made a huge difference for me.

Second, having a mentor has been invaluable. I was lucky enough to find someone more experienced than me who not only showed me the ropes of running a business but also instilled strong core values around success, giving back, and keeping perspective. My mentor has been a constant resource, whether it’s for business advice or life guidance, and that kind of support is priceless.

Lastly, staying open to learning new things is essential. Whether it’s a new approach to working, a different perspective on business, or even something you don’t necessarily like, being willing to explore and understand why can open up new opportunities and connections. The world is always changing, and you have to adapt to grow.

If you’re early on in your journey, my advice would be to focus on these three areas. Put yourself out there, learn from others, and always keep growing. The more you connect with people, stay curious, and find mentors who can guide you, the more you’ll be able to develop your craft and make real progress.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is anyone who is dedicated to making the best possible sounding record, regardless of genre or style. I’m also most interested in building long-lasting relationships with clients who have steady or ongoing work to send my way, and who value consistency and quality in the mastering process.

As a mastering engineer, I work with and am always open to a variety of clients, whether it’s a self-produced band/artist, a mixing engineer, a producer, or a label representative. What matters most is that the client values the perspective I can bring to realizing their vision. You can’t spell masterpiece without master. I’m looking for clients who are ready to embrace that and trust my process to elevate their music to its highest potential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindseyemastering.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindseyemastering

Image Credits

I took all the photos! My logo is by Zane Pendergast