AMPAUDIO.NET

Welcome to the website of Atwell Music Productions and AMP Audio!!!
AMP and AMP Audio Studio were officially launched in September of 2005 by producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Billy Atwell. Atwell has long been recording and producing scores for theater and film, modern dance and various singer/songwriter projects. He has also run the gamut of styles and sounds performing internationally with various bands and in musical theater productions for the past 20 years. Opening a production company and recording facility has been a much sought after goal and a most logical progression in his creative endeavors.
"People have been telling me to do my own thing for years and now I am. I feel fortunate to execute most everything I hear in my head without all of the frustrations and head patting that comes with being in a band. I've always liked collaborations when the chemistry and respect is at it's peak, when it hasn't been stained by time and extraneous circumstances. Considering not a lot of people listen to instrumental music, certain outlets for my compositions are somewhat marginalized. However if you put my sonic aesthetic behind a commanding and distinct singer/songwriter, sparks will fly."
As the demand and interest for his particular style of production grew, Atwell needed a more professional environment to work in despite producing such complex tapestries as in.time.of.silence's "RAIN e.p." entirely in his apartment's bathroom and spare bedroom.
"No matter how mind-blowing the production and bandwidth is on that, it became hard to move forward without a real studio. Previous clients weren't so uptight about it because I was still delivering the goods. The proof was in the pudding. Besides, having the AMP Audio facility helps keep the thinly veiled riff-raff out of my house, cupboards and cable box. Always a good thing!"
Initially invited in as an in-house mastering service for producer/guitarist Rod Shepard's Xanthi Music Studio, Atwell now uses AMP Audio as a means to focus specifically on the development and production of singer/songwriters. Having a tracking room for vocals and the artist's instrument of choice has opened the gate for Atwell to be a contender in an industry where "the next big thing" is certainly not "the next new thing."
"I like to be a little more involved in the recording and writing process than just sitting on the couch saying, 'Sounds great! Keep going!' or 'That sucked! Do it again!' (laughs). Though I wouldn't dismiss working as a mirror and sounding board in a band situation, the target of AMP is towards singer/songwriters who may or may not have a solid idea for the recording and arranging of their songs. Perhaps they lack the finances required for the musicians to fill in the gaps? By working with me the artist gets a collaborator who not only wears a number of hats in a cost-efficient fashion, but also possesses an ear that isn't squeamish about working with folks influenced by Patsy Cline, Black Flag, Pink Floyd or Hassan Hakmoun."
And what about clients? What constitutes a likely win/win situation with a budding or accomplished tunesmith?
"I'm actively seeking artists that aren't afraid to create something new, something entirely their own. Quit coddling your archetype and reinvent yourself for God's sake! (laughs) I'm quite comfortable channeling disparate sounds into a coherent, refreshing body of work. Unless the artist is hell bent on replicating some "live performance" replay, I'd rather take the time together to assemble a collection of audio snapshots. Something like little postcards from a road trip.
"These days it seems more people would rather rock out on their iPod at Starbucks than slap hands in the front row of a show. I am more than happy to supply some very picturesque audio for those that like to tune out on the subway, in their car, or in their solitude during the wee hours of the night. What with music more portable than ever, my interest in pushing a soundtrack type of production value has become pretty timely. Everyone's day has a score to it.
"The work I do with my clients is hopefully about inventiveness, challenges and an exclusively fun time as well. If someone comes to me wanting to be the next so-and-so, I could probably clone them with half my studio tied behind my back. But it won't really excite me. If given the trust and more importantly the chance to try my hand, those that dare will win. I give nothing less than 300% in these situations because I just can't help it. The experience is literally like chasing down a dream and grabbing it with my own hands."
AMP Audio Facility is located in scenic Hoboken, NJ, just across the Hudson River from New York City. The studio can easily be reached by the PATH train, NJ Transit bus lines and Interstate 95. AMP is also quite close to Newark International Airport should you be an artist from Iceland. Services are offered at a competitive rate and in the form of package deals.
"I look forward to hearing from you!"
-Billy Atwell
AMP Audio, Hoboken, NJ