Nick James - Study with Tchad Blake

My name is Nick James Boettcher and I have been a full-time guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, band leader, touring musician, sideman, frontman, soloist, duoist, trioist, and just about every combination of musician you can be. My goal has forever been to be first and foremost, an artist, and to be everyone's favorite secret weapon (when it comes to music.) That leads us to the next level of how I can bring the music of the artists I know and love to life. Producing Records.

With encouragement from incredible mentors, I have gone head first into production and engineering. Over the past couple years I have been building my studio and developing my skill set so I can bring the musical vision of my community to life, building greater opportunities for artists to showcase their work and grow their careers.

This brings us up to speed. . . and those of you who know me, know how I HATE to ask, but I NEED HELP.

Recently I have been offered the opportunity to study Mix Engineering with one of the TOP mix engineers OF ALL TIME. Not only one of the best, but my personal favorite, TCHAD BLAKE!!

Most of you will have no idea who that is, and that's ok. It's fun to google him. I discovered him by noticing that many of my favorite sounding records all had one thing in common. . .Tchad Blake was the mix engineer. From The Black Keys to Fiona Apple to Peter Gabriel to Tom Waits to Robert Plant to Los Lobos to Paul Simon. . . It can't be a coincidence. A compelling mix can take a work of sonic art and place you inside. It can move you to dance, laugh, cry. . . adding dimension, excitement, intimacy, power, breath. It's truly amazing how important this segment of the creative musical process is.

When I heard he was doing a week-long in-person clinic through Mix With The Masters, I casually applied, not thinking much of it. . . but lo and behold. . . I was accepted to attend the workshop at Studios La Fabrique in Avignon, France!! Simply amazing! Only one problem. . . IT'S EXPENSIVE. That's where I need your help.

I am trying to cover my costs to make this happen. I'd like to say this is my dream, but it's not. I mean, it's incredibly dreamy, but that's not what I want out of this experience.

I WANT TO USE THIS EDUCATION TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE'S DREAMS HAPPEN!!

I want nothing more than to return from France with an expansive new skill set to GET TO WORK making records for ARTISTS. MIXING records in a way that brings life and excitement to songs. I want to work with artists to move their listeners to a new sonic space. That's what I really want. Between gigs and tours to be in the sound waves, crafting someone's art to be as effective as it can be so that they can get their vision to their listeners. I'll expand on this as the campaign goes on . . but I think you get the idea.

I'm asking for anything you can muster up. This is for my career and my future, and to make records.

Here's to all the music we get to make!

Forever grateful,

Nick James