Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Ortberg.
Hi Alex, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been playing and creating music my whole life (age 5). I’ve studied drums that entire time, and have since learned multiple instruments like piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele. My undergrad is from Iowa State University, which is a BA in Music, studying classical percussion. After that I got my graduate degree from Berklee College of Music, and attended their campus in Valencia, Spain. My masters is in Contemporary Performance (Drum Set) and Production. There I learned about live sound, concert production, recording and mixing techniques, and songwriting. Since I graduated from Berklee, I have held various music-adjacent positions, such as AV Tech, private drum instructor, live sound tech, performer, and most recently, producer, engineer, and business owner. In 2020 I started my own small business, Blue Lagoon Recording Room. I provide recording, engineering, mixing, and production services to local musicians and artists from around Rochester. This year, we have moved into a bigger space to provide better services and expand our client base.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No career path in the music industry is ever a straight line, and it’s always a long process. But I’ve been fortunate enough to have a pretty good experience over the last 5 years.
The one thing I do need to work on is my skills running a business. I know music, and I know how to make it the best it can be. I do not know the best way to run a business. But I am always learning!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am first and foremost a performer, specializing in drums and percussion. However, I am also a producer and songwriter, which requires a knowledge of more than just drums. I consider myself a fairly well rounded musician, knowing how to play instruments like piano, bass, and guitar at advanced levels. I also have an in-depth knowledge of music theory. With this skill set, I am able write my own music, and help others write music (producer).
I also have become a proficient mix engineer over the 5 years I’ve been in business. I’ve been able to study with industry professionals such as Chris Lord-Alge and Andrew Scheps, and have done many hours of my own professional development to get to where I am today.
Any big plans?
We are currently in the process of remodeling our new property. We are renovating the entire main level of a house into a professional recording studio. This process will take a while, but we are hoping to have the space open by the end of the year. This new building will provide us with more space, separation from other businesses, as well as the ability to work faster and more efficiently. Ultimately, this make us able to produce more music for artists in a shorter amount of time. Not only that, but the product quality will improve as well.
Pricing:
- Studio A Hourly: $70/hr
- Studio B Hourly: $50/hr
- Per-Song Flat Rate: $700
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluelagoonrecordingroom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluelagoonrecordingroom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueLagoonRecordingRoom
