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The art of song: Sound engineering, or, building a space shuttle

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David James rests at the console of Mudshark Studios. Photo by Hannah Rose Gray

This is the last in a three-part series focusing on musicians as they navigate what it means to produce music during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the first three-part series 'The Art of Song' was released following artists as they navigated the song-writing process.Ìý

Those who drive out of Flagstaff towards the Grand Canyon may notice a red house set against a backdrop of the San Francisco Peaks. It is the home of Mudshark Recording Studio, where musicians like The Grateful Dead, The Doors and other wild bands have recorded albums since 1974 when it first opened its doors. David James inherited the studio in the mid-2010s after the passing of original owner Phil Gall. Since then, James has operated Mudshark as a nonprofit to continue its musical history. With more than 20 years of audio engineering experience working with bands like The Beatles, Duran Duran and even David Bowie, it almost seemed like fate. Now, James is busier than ever mixing, mastering and helping others achieve their dreams during COVID.

VeloValo

VeloValo is in one of the local bands working with Mudshark Studios during the pandemic. Photo byÌýTrevar James Lawson



Margarita Cruz holds anÌýMFAÌýin Creative Writing from Northern Arizona University. She serves on the Northern Arizona Book Festival board and as editor-in-chief forÌýThin Air Magazine.ÌýHer work has been featured inÌýThe TunnelsÌýandÌýSusquehanna Review,Ìýamong others.



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