In the Spring, I met the homie Mat Randol as he’d just returned from a stint in Chicago. The rapper-turned-burgeoning-sonic-engineer was returning to Portland determined to pursue his dream. A St. Johns resident since forever, Randol returned to the ranch-style home he grew up in a few blocks from Roosevelt High. Residing with his mother and grandmother, he helped out around the house, ate up all the snacks, and turned the extra bedroom into a studio where he could record and mix without racking up overhead costs.
The setup was not ideal, but Mat understands his craft. Using a combination of tools, programs, and improvisation, Randol created a space capable of delivering studio-quality sound. He was also able to offer lower rates, resulting in more business, generating income that allowed him to re-invest in his tools.
In an effort to get the word out, Mat and I teamed with photographer/videographer Matt Hayes to shoot a series of reality bits chronicling his studio sessions. I thought the resulting short film was pretty cool. Thoughts?
#MatMixedIt #NBG #WOHM