Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase West.
Chase, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been playing and writing music since I was a kid. I was always that kid with my head in the clouds just looking for a way to express the chaos going on in my brain. Music created that outlet. I started playing in bands when I was about 12 and have kept that alive to this day. I found that I really liked writing and composing music by myself, but needed a way to be able to listen to compositions in real time as I was trying to write. I found the trusty Tascam four-track cassette recorder. As time progressed, I moved up to larger and more technical applications, and eventually started using one of the first versions of Pro Tools through shareware. I had a knack for it. I attended HCC for Audio Production and learned from some of the best working engineers in the city. I met the co-founder of Audio Realm in 2015 when my band at the time had won a free recording session. He and I hit it off and began making music together, purely for fun. We recorded out of his small studio and created some great mixes that ended up getting us signed to a label in Nashville. We worked there for a while on our debut EP at OmniSound Studios. After returning from Nashville with our new tips and tricks, we decided to open up our own standalone facility and took a leap of faith. Since that day, we have become a well known and respected studio in the Houston area and are constantly getting to meet and work with some of our idols and most respected colleagues.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road? Let’s just say that I’m surprised I haven’t needed knee replacements after all of the potholes I’ve tripped in. It’s pretty simple. The road to success will never be smooth. It takes sacrifice, loss, passion, drive, intuition, and intelligence. Especially in this industry. It’s not easy to maintain a family, social life, or even friends when your goals require so much of you. Ever since opening this studio, I’ve experienced some of the most trying times of my life. I’ve experienced true loss, betrayal, and short bouts of untamable depression. But it’s worth it. Nothing worth having is ever easy. If it were, then everybody would be living their dreams.
Audio Realm Studios LLC – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Audio Realm Studios is a fully analog/digital facility that specializes in recording musicians, bands, radio commercials, commercial voiceover, and audiobooks. We’re known for having one of the most chill vibes in the Houston area and for putting the music before our egos. Our clients are a part of our musical family. We’d like for every one of them to make it big and go the extra mile to help them achieve that. While we have to pay our bills, we don’t stare at the clock, making artists nervous and unable to achieve their creative flow, which is critical in any recording.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is relative. For some, it’s a spouse, 2.3 kids, a dog, and a nice vehicle. For some, it’s just making it through another day when all you wanna do is curl up and die. For me, it’s all of the above. The life of an artist is riddled with depression, self-doubt, insecurity, and harsh realizations about the world around us. Success for me would be to watch my work as a musician, engineer, or producer go on to help others. Whether it be through one of our artists becoming a mega sensation or through a song I wrote that lets someone on the edge know that they aren’t alone. So, yeah. If I’ve helped even one person achieve something they never thought possible, then I’m the most successful man I know,
Pricing:
- Basic Hourly Recording: $65/Hour
- EP Recording Package (10 Hours): $550
- LP Recording Package (20 Hours): $1,000
- Radio Commercials (30 Seconds): Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Address: 407 S 2nd St. Ste. C
Richmond, TX 77469 - Website: www.audiorealmstudios.com
- Phone: 8323033323
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @audiorealmstudiosllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudioRealmStudios/
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
