Why I'm Building Tone Farmers: Cultivating Montana's Musical Landscape
My journey in music production began with recording my dad, a professional jazz guitarist. After finishing recording engineering school, I took on my first real project: recording two albums with him - a Christmas record and a collection of jazz standards and originals. What happened in those sessions taught me the most important lesson about recording that no school could teach.
The magic wasn't in the microphone choices or the signal chain - though those matter. It was about creating an environment where my dad felt completely comfortable, where he could just be himself and play. Those ended up being some of his favorite recordings of his career. Not because of any technical wizardry, but because we captured real, honest performances.
That project shaped my entire philosophy about music. While technical excellence matters, what truly matters is creating spaces where artists can deliver their most authentic performances - whether that's in the studio or on stage. The most expensive equipment in the world won't save a stiff, uncomfortable performance. But when artists feel at home, when they can focus entirely on their music without technical distractions - that's when the magic happens.
Today, nothing makes me prouder than when artists lose themselves in their performance, when they're so comfortable they forget about the cameras rolling or the audience watching. Those are the moments that make great recordings and unforgettable live shows. That's why I'm building Tone Farmers.
The Gap in Rural Music Communities
Here in Montana, I've learned that most artists aren't held back by their talent - they're held back by environments that don't let them truly perform. The magic isn't about having the most expensive equipment; it's about creating spaces where artists feel free to be themselves, to take risks, to connect authentically with their audience.
In our historic building in Livingston, we face some interesting challenges. Sometimes a train rumbles by, or a diesel truck idles outside. But these "limitations" have taught us something valuable: these moments often become part of what makes a performance special. Instead of fighting against our environment, we've learned to embrace it, to let these distinctly Montana elements become part of our musical landscape.
Building Something Different
Through Tone Farmers, we're creating more than just a record label - we're building a supportive community where artists can develop into compelling performers. Here's what that means in practice:
- Focus on Live Performance
- Intimate Homegrown Sessions that create meaningful connections between artists and audiences
- Performance development programs that build confidence and stage presence
- Understanding that great live shows are the foundation of sustainable careers
- Technical Excellence in Service of Art
- Professional recording and documentation without the pressure of a major label
- Focus on capturing genuine performances over technical perfection
- Adapting our approach to each artist's unique voice
- Community and Education
- Regular workshops and performance opportunities
- Resource sharing between artists
- Building sustainable careers in Montana's music scene
- Creating meaningful connections between artists and audiences
Join the Journey
This is just the beginning of cultivating Montana's musical landscape. I'll be sharing insights about performance development, artist growth, and building sustainable music communities in rural settings. You'll get an inside look at what it takes to create compelling live performances and authentic recordings while maintaining the human connection that makes music special.
Our space might not be the most technically perfect - there's that occasional train rumbling by - but it's a place where real music happens. Where artists feel comfortable enough to take risks, to be vulnerable, to create genuine connections with their audience.
If you're interested in the future of rural music communities, or curious about what it takes to build something different in this industry, subscribe to my newsletter for regular updates about the journey. For artists interested in being part of Tone Farmers, visit tonefarmers.com to learn about our community and opportunities.