There aren't enough words in the english language — or any other language I'd imagine — that can describe how amazing it is to work with him. He is a producer who became a friend, a mixing engineer that formed the sound I had in my head. His skills are exemplary, whether they are related to drumming, mic placement, song structure, intention, mixing, or mastering. I can honestly say that I would have likely quit making music if not for Grant. His encouragement and support, as well as his utterly immense knowledge of how sound works, are now a vital part of my creative process. Honestly, I don't have much of an interest in working with another producer or having anyone else mix our music. Without Grant, the music stops. Without Grant, the music just doesn't sound right.
Aiwass
Working with Grant was one of the best experiences we've had as a band. He really cared about our project and the process it would take to get from concept to completion. From coming to our rehearsals and pre-production to the execution of the recording, Grant was hands-on on the entirety of the session. We wanted to record in a space that wasn't typical for recording an album, and we knew that Grant was going to be the perfect fit with his expertise in location recording. We considered him the fourth member of our band during the process, and he showed that confidence throughout our project. The mixes were great as well, and he was always accommodating to suggestions or changes we may have wanted. We will work with Grant again in the future, no question. Highly recommend.
The Trujillo Company — 4 Arrows
We've been working with Grant in different capacities for years now. Whether as a recording engineer, mix engineer, or live engineer, his ears and tastes have always shone through. His ability to add punch and flavor to drums, and space, style and psychedelic sauce to vocals is incredible. He always manages to bring something extra and unexpected to the project. On top of that, he's just an all around sweetheart, even though he'd fight that to his last breath.
King Buffalo
In an age where everybody over-produces and over-mixes everything it's very refreshing to work with someone who understands the power of subtlety. Grant is that person. He will make you sound like you and underneath it all there is a vibe that is unmistakably him.
On my first album, Promises, we did things rather simply and he made it sound great. It was raw and sounds like a first album for an artist.
On my second record, Reflections, I asked a little more of Grant. I pictured lush reverbs and huge ambient sounds. I told him I wanted it to sound like outer space. Anyone who has ever dealt with mixing big reverbs and delays knows that it is very difficult to do and it can quickly turn into a mess of "fish bowl sounds" but Grant rose to the occasion and it really made the album pop.
My point is.. I don't use anyone else for production or mixing. Grant Husselman is the guy. He knows how to get your tracks in the perfect shape for mastering which is an art in itself.
The other thing I would like to say about Grant is that he is a great producer and writer himself. He's not afraid to be creative and speak his mind about the direction of a song or an album. This makes it a bit more collaborative and that back and forth energy is what makes great records in my opinion.
Promises · Reflections
My initial introduction with Grant was in the wake of the recording sessions of my first full length album. A dear friend of mine referred his mixing work to me and I was instantly impressed and wanted to work with him if he was available. As an artist I've grown a true appreciation for the art of mixing music that I had ignored in my musical youth. Making me even more thankful to have met someone of Grant's caliber in today's day and age. Hearing Grant's ability to paint with the sounds we had captured from the sessions reminded me of records like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and other acts where the mix engineers were artists. They created space and shapes to the recordings in a way that emulated a 3 dimensional world… that made records with sonic depth and made you feel like you were in the room as it happened, that tied the delicate knot between energy and refinement in a way that made you believe that you could do it too. Grants perspective on sound makes me feel that way.
Since my debut album Grant has mixed a full length live album, an acoustic EP consisting of a live in studio performance, and currently the first round of mixes for my second full-length album. No joke, he has made me believe in Alchemy as a science by watching his process of mixing music. By the time I hand my music off to be mixed I'm almost always plagued by imposter's syndrome, nerves about the art we've been sweating over for so long and when Grant sends it back to me the sounds truly melt that all away. To be able to trust that your music will always sound drastically better than when you send it out gives me much more confidence.
Apollo · Alive and Well · Apollo (Acoustic)