Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffery Banks
Hi Jeffery, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born on base (NC) but raised all my life in Southern Maryland. Not much musical influence there to start off with. However, every summer I would visit my family in Memphis or Chicago; two of the most cultured places in the country. That”s where I was exploited to music videos, dancing, unreleased artist. etc. Growing up in Maryland was a melting pot of emerging hip-hop music. The “backpackers” was strong in my school. We’re debating over Wayne, Jay-Z, Common, Kanye, Lupe, etc. the mid to late 2000s was to me the highlight of hip-hop and got more inclusive when the greatest freshman classes started to surface. I was a consumer of the music until I heard beats by 9th Wonder. I use to be one of those people commenting under the instrumentals practicing my bars a lot. Then I heard a beat by Nicolay and my whole world changed. I was convinced for multiple reasons that I had to do music, telling myself that I can make this music and make it better.
Yeah… that’s till I got seriously involved and had to learn everything I didn’t know lol. We’re talking DAW, microphone types, audio interface, etc. Everything that was easily accessible now I tried to make sense of it as a freshman in high school. I took a trip to Colorado to visit family. I had a cousin who use to make beats on Sony Acid and had a turntable. I slept 3 days in his studio room teaching myself how to make beats and put together 5 tracks and an album cover. My first ever musical project. From then on its stories upon stories to how I got here today with my own home studio.
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?
I wish it was. I had a roller coaster getting to where I’m at now. I tried teaching myself Audacity since that was the only free DAW at the time. Took me sometime to realize it kinda wasn’t. Used a free version of Mixcraft, Worked on free trials of Fruity Loops (means you can’t save any work). Learning how to use Reason by myself (my gawd). Got blessed with some music startup equipment. Finally going to school for music production and learning Pro Tools right when Avid allowed people to use interfaces other than their own ( I had an Avid MBox at the time but bought a Presonus FireStudio Project). Got my first copy of Pro Tools after they ditched the whole LE concept. Made my first couple of tracks with a group I met in college and where I met Masego. He actually features on a track I produced back in my college years. More on that another time. Ended up failing my Master’s Degree Portfolio for my Recording Arts & Tech degree at MTSU and bouncing back. It’s honestly too much to flesh out without having an 1-2 hour long conversation. Let’s just say it’s been a long time coming and a lot of people are waiting for me to blow up. I’m trying man lol if not for me and least for them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m honestly 2 sides. Employee Professional and Artist Creative. 50% of my work is live audio technician, mixing & mastering, home studio consultation and teacher. The other 50% is my self produced music and close clientele work. I have some interesting music coming out over the next couple of months-years which is going to represent a culmination of my growth and experiences. Beyond that, I’m getting into more video work and kind of bringing attention to that as possible minor career of mine. What I’m most proud of is my dedication to this craft and having a strong knowledge of it in my field. I never wanted to be one of those creatives where I know enough to make the art but couldn’t explain it. This is what sets me apart from my competition. I know the gear, I know the theory, I know some of the science, I know the art, I’ve done it all songwriting to mastering. Sometimes I get overwhelmed just trying to explain to somebody the RIGHT way of this passion, especially with all the incorrect YouTube videos and information out there. For example, a 180 degree phase cycle is not a polarity flip. How many people actually know and can explain that though.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best thing about Houston is the sheer amount of creatives out there. I told FYVE once that I could build an empire out in Houston because of the sheer amount of people looking for the professionalism and experience in the craft. I could offer a lot and possibly make a career shift in just mixing & mastering alone. The scale is much different compared to living in a city like the DMV (DC, MD, VA). Everything is just government, news, and broadcast. No one appreciates creative imagery unless it’s commissioned for buildings and companies.
The least thing I like about the city is the mentality people have. It’s crabs in a bucket, on a desolated ship with one life boat out there. Instead of creating harmonious relationships, there’s always someone trying to 1up you so they can get ahead when there’s no reason to play survival. The world hasn’t ended. . .yet.
Pricing:
- $150 for a Mix & Master (per song)
- $50 for Mastering (per song)
- $100 for Exclusive Production
Contact Info:
- Website: http://courtesyofthebrew.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hibrustea/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MellowXBrew
Image Credits:
Jeffery Banks
