SECTOR SPOTLIGHT - MUSIC INDUSTRY
Katie Tavini - Mastering Engineer
Katie began working as a producer and engineer in 2009 before a piece
of advice changed everything for her. “I was looking to improve my
mixes,” she recalls. “Someone told me that if I wanted to do that I should
learn to master. Whether it was good advice or not I took it. I loved what I
discovered and never looked back.”
With a fine balance of curiosity and experience, Tavini is now a mastering engineer
with a rich and diverse client-list far bigger than any sound or scene.
“I like things with a lot of influences,” she adds. “I like not being able to place a piece of music immediately and I love working with
bands and artists who push their boundaries. I’ve found that a willingness to try and explore something new has often led to amazing
results for my clients.”
Katie is a mastering engineer who encourages, refines, expands and finishes. She loves to amplify the emotion and energy of an artist
while bringing clarity and consistency to their art. People do not hear her best work, they feel it.
“Most people don’t think about how music moves them,” admits Tavini. “They are just moved. My job is to bring all the hard work of
artists, producers and engineers together and create a platform for songs to shine. It’s the perfect job for me.”
Alex Marshall -
Cellist, Electric
Cellist and
Vocalist
Alex is a Cellist, Electric Cellist and Vocalist
with Zambian and English heritage based in
the UK. A performer, collaborator and session
musician, she works for some of the busiest
ensembles in London and across the UK, such as
Urban Soul Orchestra, Wired Strings, London
Electronic Orchestra and the Parallax Orchestra.
As a session Cellist, Alex has performed/recorded with
artists such as Paolo Nutini, Little Mix, Annie Lennox, Liam
Gallagher, Tom Odell, Mumford and Sons and Enya, as
well as performing at some of the UK’s most prestigious
venues and recording studios; the Royal Albert Hall,
Abbey Road and The O2 Arena. Alex has made several
TV and Radio appearances, including “Later... with
Jools Holland”, The Graham Norton Show, The X Factor
and the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and has also performed
at festivals such as Latitude, Secret Garden Party and
Festival No.6.
Alex studied at Leeds College of Music and
was presented with the Principal’s Award in
2014 for her dedication to the conservatoire and
remains an ambassador for the college as well as
being nominated for the UK Music Outstanding Music
Graduate Award in 2017. Alex said:
Always be ready! You never know what gig will come
in next, and you don’t know what expertise you’ll need
to secure it so make sure you have maximised your
knowledge and understanding of what you can bring to
any situation. 2. Be approachable, friendly and nice! Make
genuine connections with other people in the industry -
anything forced is never going to work in the long run
and you’ll enjoy your work much better if you have real
relationships with your colleagues, agents and partners!
Adam
Gammage -
Session Drummer
Adam has been recently
touring with Tom
Grennan, Baxter Dury,
Zuzu and Vant. Along
with playing live and recording he has also done music for
film and TV for example drums and percussion on series 4
of Peaky Blinders. Although in lockdown at the moment last
year was a busy festival run around the UK and Europe.
Adam said:
One of my highlights of last summer was playing Live at Leeds
Festival and Hit the North. It’s always difficult when playing for
multiple artists to get the diary to fit together to maximise the level
of work on offer. However this particular weekend I was in luck
when both days I got to play 6 shows with three amazing artists
Vant, Zuzu and Tom Grennan. After a lot of planning of what
was a very tight schedule both days started with an opening slot
with Vant. I had 3 kits with three sets of crew and tour managers
managing my whereabouts.
My B rig was set for a sold-out show that was an incredible start.
I then rushed off in a taxi leaving my kit with the crew to de rig.
Then off to the next venue with Zuzu to again quickly sound check
and straight onstage for my second show of the day on my C rig
that I had to leave in Liverpool the week before. The show went on
with no delays and again was an absolute belter.
I remember having so many passes and wristbands it looked like I could
have been running the place. Massive plus was more than enough
meal and drink tokens to see me through. After a quick pint and dinner
I was then off to the main stage to join everyone else who had been
loading up and setting up my A rig was a more complex set up for Tom
Grennan. After the line check and a catch-up with the band it was show
time and what a great way to end a successful day with the crowd
going absolutely crazy for Tom and his debut album. Now the drinks
tokens come in handy as it’s time to kick back and enjoy the evening
and get some sleep on the bus ready to do it all again the next day.
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Careermag for School Leavers Issue 15 | 21