Rock On, My Man by Jack Bailey
Caleb Dorgan is a music Technology major here at Plymouth State University. He was kind enough to let me sit down and ask him some questions about his major, music in general, and music at Plymouth. In this Interview I asked Caleb what being a music producer is like, along with several other questions about his personal connections with music to his life.
What exactly does a music technician do?
A music technician basically has 2 main jobs. One is to monitor live performances, checking mic levels and eq(equalizer) levels to make sure the artist and their music can sound as good as possible live. The other side to a music technician, or producer’s, job is in the studio. The producer must mix all the different pieces of the song together using a mixing board and a digital audio work station to ensure all of the parts of the song are heard as the artist intends them to be.
What about being a producer would you enjoy the most?
“Working in the studio on the soundboard” I would like to work with artists to edit and mix their music the way the artist wants it to sound.
What made you want to become a music technician?
“I’ve been playing music for years, but I don’t like being on stage”. Caleb likes collaborating with other musicians, but doesn’t appreciate the spotlight, so he collabs in different ways.
How many instruments can you play?
Caleb plays a variety of different instruments, including guitar, saxophone (tenor), drums, piano, and ukulele. His favorite to play is guitar because of the freedom that guitar provides. “It’s a versatile instrument that can play a lot of different genres. "
What is your favorite kind of music to listen to?
“Either rap or alternative rock.” He listens to many different artists including Logic, Childish Gambino, K.A.A.N., Big Sean, Neck Deep, Sticky Fingers, With Confidence, The Story so Far, Between You and Me, All Time Low, and I the Mighty.
How do you feel about the music scene in Plymouth?
Positively. The music scene through school is thriving. Off campus not so much. Not enough shows to go to, and the shows that do come aren’t interesting.
How can the music scene off campus improve?
Local theaters can try to attract more attention with better advertisement and try to pull more relevant artists.
If you could ask any musician anything, who would it be and what would you ask?
Freddie Mercury; How were you able to control sports arenas and stadiums without the assistance of modern technology?
What about music has kept you interested in it for this long?
How much emotion can be put into; how it can tell an entire story in just 3 minutes. It can become personal to anyone who listens to it.
Favorite song to listen to and favorite song to play?
To listen to: Right now, Super Mario world by Logic. To play: Australia Street by Sticky Fingers