Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Bartling.
Hi Adam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born into a musical family in a tiny village in western Nebraska. My mother plays the piano and sings, while my father plays the guitar and sings. As a young child, I attended various events where they would perform together. They were a great duo, and I loved watching them play together. I even begged them for a set of drums so that I could join in. One Christmas when I was 4 or 5 years old, my wish was finally granted and I woke up to find drums under the tree. I immediately started jamming with my parents.
As I grew older, I became completely fascinated and obsessed with music. I was particularly drawn to the perfect sound of music on the radio, but I couldn’t quite understand how it was made. So, I convinced my parents and my brother, who had joined us on bass, to experiment with me recording music. We tried various recording techniques over the years, and after many failures, we finally finished a homemade album to give to our friends and family in 2004. It may not have been the most professional-sounding album, but we are still very proud of it. Even our dog, Jake, made the cover!
After high school graduation, I went to college in Colorado and enrolled in audio courses. During this time, I met some guys who were looking for a drummer in a heavy metal band. I was nervous about trying out, but it turned out to be a good decision. We had a successful run of about two or three years. Being in this band exposed me to a lot of new creative ideas and techniques. We even had unlimited access to a recording studio in my school, where I learned a lot about the technical aspects of recording music. Between two releases in this band and an EP that I produced as a final school project, my musical experience was growing. Unfortunately, the end of college put an end to this band, and I moved away.
Later on, back home in Nebraska, after not making the cut as a drummer in a metalcore band, I decided to try scream vocals. It clicked, and a new passion was born. I became the frontman of a band called Dolly Hit Dollie. Being in this band was more beneficial to me than any audio courses I had taken in college. We even traveled to Long Island, New York, to record a “real” album. This trip was the turning point. All the pieces and questions I had about producing music seemed to fall into place during this week of recording.
Upon returning home, I made a decision to embark on a new journey and establish my own business and pursue my dream of becoming a successful music producer. Although I’ve had to change my business name a few times, I ultimately settled on Razortoe Productions.
I’m currently in a “rebuilding” phase with my studio. I’ve taken a few years off to focus on my family, personal music, and personal growth, but I am excited to start a new chapter here in the Twin Cities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any worthwhile endeavor, music production can become incredibly costly. Budgeting appropriately is a crucial factor in achieving success. Throughout the years, I’ve wasted money on various audio gear, software, plug-ins, and even spaces to work in. There were many times I overspent on things I didn’t need, trying to achieve results I could have accomplished on my own with a little more patience. But the knowledge I gained through those mistakes has proved invaluable.
There’s also an incredible amount of trial-and-error in recording and producing processes. The most difficult aspect is trying to achieve that “perfect” outcome while balancing the need for efficiency. This struggle can create an endless loop of self-doubt, disappointment, and sometimes even anxiety and depression. There are a million ways to capture, mix, and master audio and video, and there are always elements to tweak, so finding the balance can seem overwhelming. Sometimes, you just have to let it be “good enough” and remember you are always your own worst critic.
Relocation has posed the most significant obstacle. In the past decade, I’ve moved across state lines three times. I’ve had to rebuild a reputation and client base from scratch each time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multimedia producer who’s spent most of my career creating music for myself and my clients. My mission is to embrace diverse ideas and genres. I never dictate my clients’ outcomes; instead, I collaborate and learn with them to bring their vision to life. Keeping my rates low is crucial to me because I believe it fosters trust beyond just recording music.
Music has always been a safe haven for me, and I strive to share this feeling with my clients and allow them to be themselves through the exciting process of producing to create something beautiful that stands the test of time.
In addition to music production, I offer assistance with podcasts and other audio projects, as well as video production. Recently, I’ve expanded my services to include media digitization.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
When I first entered this business, I was a risk-taker at heart. I would pursue every possible strategy to achieve my goals. However, this overly-aggressive approach often backfired. I found myself constantly paying off debt and had to learn more effective money management skills.
Today, I still believe in the power of determination and the ability to achieve anything you set your mind to. But I’ve gained wisdom over the years and have learned to discern which risks are worth taking.
If you have an idea that seems achievable and has the potential for a return, I believe you can find creative ways to meet the goal. However, if a risk appears to be driven solely by excitement and impulse without a clear plan for a return, I find it wise to let the idea settle a bit before acting. But taking risks to some degree is the only way to step out of your comfort zone and grow.
Pricing:
- 10-Track Album, Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered – $1,750
- 5-Track Album, Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered – $1,000
- $300 per Audio Track (up to 10 hours, $30/hr after 10 hours)
- Video Production – Priced per Project
- Media Digitalization – Priced per Project
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/razortoeproductions
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/razortoeproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/razortoeproductions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RazortoeProductionsOfficial
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/w2nMltjHfDa2XEatCC
