Kayla and Matt Smile
A love of music got Matt Smile into the recording studio, and it’s what keeps him there still.
“My love for music has been strong since I was about 4 years old. I played in bands and always had so much fun in the recording studio. My brother and I invested in some entry level gear to record our own music in our basement back in 2012. Before we knew it, we had a full schedule of local bands and friends wanting their music recorded. I met my wife, Kayla, in that little home studio. In 2019, the same year we got married, we opened our own recording studio together on the legendary State Street called Audioasis.
“It took everything we had to get the doors open. Just when it seemed we were starting to get steady business, COVID-19 came along and shut the whole world down. We were worried we may not survive the pandemic, but here we are five years later and still going strong,” Smile says.
Since that opening, he has worked with John Legend, Lewis Capaldi, Bebe Rexha, James Arthur, Talk and Dove Cameron. These were made possible by a local legend and talented musician, Dave Eggar.
“We are blessed to call him a friend and mentor. The number of opportunities he has brought to the Tri-Cities is something worth celebrating.
“I think it’s crucial to have the right studio/producer that can listen to an artist and understand what they are trying to convey with their song. What emotion are they trying to get across? What sounds complement that emotion? How can I add to this production and bring out the best in the artists without changing their vision and maintaining the overall message of the track,” Smile says.
Smile works with artists locally and remotely and enjoys the collaboration. It’s even part of what the name Audioasis means to him. The two root words Audio and Oasis are sharing the “O,” because they are all about bringing people together for a shared goal.
“I love seeing more people create, and I think it’s an overall good thing for business. I have some clients that record from home and send me files to mix and master or add extra instruments remotely. Some of these people are even in other parts of the world.
“Something that has always stood out to me is our ability to seamlessly switch genres and tap into the vision of the artist we are working with. We have been blessed to work with so many artists in all stages in their careers from beginners to A-listers, from classical to pop and everything in between. I also play several instruments and can provide full productions without the artist having to play any instruments if that’s what they need. We have had some people bring just a journal entry and want to turn it into a song. We can meet you where you are at and help you finish the job with style. On top of that, we provide more than just audio recording. We also specialize in videography, photography and more.
“I’m sure everyone has heard somebody say, ‘They don’t make music like they used to,’ or something to that effect about the current state of music compared to the ‘Good Ole Days,’ but in my opinion, music is very much on the rise still and the possibilities are just getting more endless. I think technology is only giving us more tools to make interesting sounds with, and it’s up to all of us creatives to discover new ways to utilize what we have in the toolbox and make something impactful. We stay current by not getting stuck in the ways we’ve done things in the past and keep learning daily,” Smile says.
His advice to anyone who wants to work in the recording world, “Do it because you love it. Don’t waste this one life you’ve been given; create and make something meaningful. The world needs to hear what you have to say. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The path to this industry is much easier if you have a network of friends/mentors you can call on for help or advice. We are all in this together.
“Our long-term goal is to look back on the music we’ve made and feel that we helped make a positive impact on the artists we’ve worked with and the listeners. Music has saved my life many times. I’m only hoping to see other people helped as well. In an ever-evolving industry, the one constant is passion. As long as that is driving the music, it will always be a beautiful thing,” he says.
For more information, visit audioasis.online.
