Alex Newport
Encyclopedia
Alex Newport is a Grammy-nominated record producer
, mixer
and engineer
, based in New York City.
Newport was born in Wolverhampton
, UK, in 1970 and grew up in the Midlands area.
He is currently living in New York City and is owner of Future Shock recording studio.
Newport founded the alternative noise band Fudge Tunnel
in 1989 whilst at art college in Nottingham
, and got his start in recording by working closely with producers Colin Richardson
and Iain Burgess
on Fudge Tunnel recordings, eventually going on to produce and mix the album Creep Diets (Columbia/Earache, 1992) himself .
Newport was also one half of the industrial project Nailbomb (with Max Cavalera
of Sepultura
), although Newport seems to have never taken that project seriously, feeling that the musical style was limited and disbanded the project following their only performance at the Dynamo Festival, Netherlands in 1995.
He quickly became in demand as Producer/Engineer and after moving to the US in 1995 began a string of projects with artists At The Drive-In
(In/Casino/Out
, 1997 and Vaya
, 1998) and The Mars Volta
(Tremulant, 2001), in addition to projects with Knapsack
, Samiam
and The Melvins
.
Newport was house engineer for 3 years at San Francisco’s all analog studio, Tiny Telephone, in addition to his freelance production work.
In 2008 Newport mixed the Death Cab For Cutie
track “Long Division” from their Grammy-nominated album Narrow Stairs
. He also mixed tracks from The Loud Wars by So Many Dynamos
, which was produced by Death Cab’s Chris Walla
.
He also works regularly with Tokyo’s POLYSICS
, having mixed five of their albums, and engineered and mixed their most recent "Oh No It's Heavy Polysick" (Sony Japan).
In 2009, Newport worked with British folk/punk artist Frank Turner
(Poetry of the Deed, Epitaph Records
). The album was recorded and mixed entirely to analog tape, and Newport seems to be somewhat of an analog purist, preferring to work on tape whenever possible.
In February 2011, Newport worked with Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green
, AKA City And Colour
. Newport produced City And Colour's "Little Hell" (Vagrant Records
) which was also recorded and mixed entirely on analog tape.
Artists for whom Newport has produced or mixed include:
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, mixer
Mix engineer
A mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
and engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, based in New York City.
Newport was born in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
, UK, in 1970 and grew up in the Midlands area.
He is currently living in New York City and is owner of Future Shock recording studio.
Newport founded the alternative noise band Fudge Tunnel
Fudge Tunnel
Fudge Tunnel were a band formed in Nottingham, England by Alex Newport, David Ryley and Adrian Parkin. After two critically acclaimed singles on Pigboy Records , they signed to Nottingham's Earache Records...
in 1989 whilst at art college in Nottingham
Nottingham Trent University, School of Art and Design
Founded in 1843, the School of Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom and currently has more than 2,500 students.-History:...
, and got his start in recording by working closely with producers Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums, and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres such as:*Anathema*As I Lay Dying*Behemoth*Bullet for My Valentine...
and Iain Burgess
Iain Burgess
Iain Burgess was a British record producer and audio engineer. He helped define the sound of the Chicago post-punk music scene in the 1980s and early '90s, working with a number of key underground bands, including Big Black, Naked Raygun, The Effigies, Get Smart!, Ministry, Bloodsport, Pegboy,...
on Fudge Tunnel recordings, eventually going on to produce and mix the album Creep Diets (Columbia/Earache, 1992) himself .
Newport was also one half of the industrial project Nailbomb (with Max Cavalera
Max Cavalera
Massimiliano Antonio "Max" Cavalera is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Sepultura, before forming Soulfly in the late 1990s...
of Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
), although Newport seems to have never taken that project seriously, feeling that the musical style was limited and disbanded the project following their only performance at the Dynamo Festival, Netherlands in 1995.
He quickly became in demand as Producer/Engineer and after moving to the US in 1995 began a string of projects with artists At The Drive-In
At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
(In/Casino/Out
In/Casino/Out
In/Casino/Out is the second full-length LP by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released in 1998. It was recorded as a live studio album, with the intention of better capturing the energy and sound of their live shows....
, 1997 and Vaya
Vaya
Vaya is the fourth EP by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released in 1999. The sound of the album bridges the musical gap between In/Casino/Out and their following album, Relationship of Command....
, 1998) and The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
(Tremulant, 2001), in addition to projects with Knapsack
Knapsack (band)
Knapsack was formed in 1993 by Blair Shehan and Colby Mancasola . Shehan and Mancasola were two high school friends studying at the University of California, Davis. Guitarist Jason Bokros and bassist Rod Meyer completed the lineup....
, Samiam
Samiam
-Biography:Samiam was formed in late 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman club mainstay Isocracy. Their first show was in January 1989 with Christ on Parade. They released records through New Red Archives and Hopeless Records in the US and Burning Heart Records in Europe. In the mid-'90s, the band...
and The Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
.
Newport was house engineer for 3 years at San Francisco’s all analog studio, Tiny Telephone, in addition to his freelance production work.
In 2008 Newport mixed the Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
track “Long Division” from their Grammy-nominated album Narrow Stairs
Narrow Stairs
Narrow Stairs is the sixth studio album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. It was released on May 12, 2008, in the United Kingdom and on May 13, 2008, in the United States. The first single of the album was "I Will Possess Your Heart", released on March 18, 2008. The second single was...
. He also mixed tracks from The Loud Wars by So Many Dynamos
So Many Dynamos
So Many Dynamos is a rock band from St Louis, Missouri, USA. Their music is generally classified as indie rock, combining aspects of pop, dance-punk, and math rock. They take their name from a famous palindrome. The band signed a contract with Vagrant Records in late 2008.-History:So Many Dynamos...
, which was produced by Death Cab’s Chris Walla
Chris Walla
Christopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
.
He also works regularly with Tokyo’s POLYSICS
Polysics
is a Japanese new wave and rock band from Tokyo, who dubs its unique style as "technicolor pogo punk". It was named after a brand of synthesizer, the Korg Polysix. The band started in 1997, but got their big break in 1998 at a concert in Tokyo...
, having mixed five of their albums, and engineered and mixed their most recent "Oh No It's Heavy Polysick" (Sony Japan).
In 2009, Newport worked with British folk/punk artist Frank Turner
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
(Poetry of the Deed, Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
). The album was recorded and mixed entirely to analog tape, and Newport seems to be somewhat of an analog purist, preferring to work on tape whenever possible.
In February 2011, Newport worked with Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green
Dallas Green (musician)
Dallas Green is a Canadian musician who releases music as City and Colour. He is also known for his work as the former vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Name:...
, AKA City And Colour
City and Colour
City and Colour is the recording alias for Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, who was also the guitarist and vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He plays melodic acoustic and folk music and is often accompanied by a rotating number of Canadian indie rock...
. Newport produced City And Colour's "Little Hell" (Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
) which was also recorded and mixed entirely on analog tape.
Collaborators
Artists for whom Newport has produced or mixed include:
- At The Drive-InAt the Drive-InAt the Drive-In was an American rock band from El Paso, Texas, considered part of the post-hardcore genre and active from 1993 to 2001. They were known for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 1980s hardcore scene...
- BrazilBrazil (band)Brazil was an Indiana rock band. Although the band eschews labels and are often categorized with the punk and post-hardcore music scenes, that is mostly due to association. The music itself is more akin to progressive rock with indie rock roots. The line-up as of 2006 release is Jonathon Newby,...
- City And ColourCity and ColourCity and Colour is the recording alias for Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, who was also the guitarist and vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He plays melodic acoustic and folk music and is often accompanied by a rotating number of Canadian indie rock...
- Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
(mixing) - Death of Thieves (mixing)
- Does It Offend You, Yeah (mixing)
- EskimoEskimoEskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
- The Extra GlennsThe Extra GlennsThe Extra Lens, formerly known as The Extra Glenns, are a band made up of Franklin Bruno of Nothing Painted Blue and John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. They were something of an underground legend in the '90s, recording tracks for singles and some compilations...
- FactFact (band)Fact is a Japanese post-hardcore band which formed in 1999 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Their music makes use of common hardcore punk and punk rock elements that include fast guitar riffs and a highly melodic style. Clean and screamed singing styles are both used, and gang vocals are present in...
(mixing) - Frank TurnerFrank TurnerFrank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
- Fudge TunnelFudge TunnelFudge Tunnel were a band formed in Nottingham, England by Alex Newport, David Ryley and Adrian Parkin. After two critically acclaimed singles on Pigboy Records , they signed to Nottingham's Earache Records...
- godheadSiloGodheadSilogodheadSilo was a noise rock duo from Fargo, North Dakota.The band consisted of Mike Kunka on bass and Dan Haugh on drums. The two met growing up near Fargo, North Dakota. The band originally started as a three-piece, with Phil Leitch playing guitar. Leitch left the band after their first show at...
- The Icarus LineThe Icarus LineThe Icarus Line is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California.The Icarus Line was formed out of the ashes of high school punk group Kanker Sores...
- Ikara ColtIkara ColtIkara Colt were an English four-piece art rock band, formed by art students at London Guildhall University. They had a five-year career, beginning in 1999 and ending on 17 January 2005...
- Japanese VoyeursJapanese VoyeursJapanese Voyeurs is a British alternative metal band from London, England, formed in 2007. The line up is: Romily Alice, Johnny Seymour, Tom Lamb, Rikki Waldron and Steve Wilson....
(mixing) - Johnny ForeignerJohnny ForeignerJohnny Foreigner are an indie rock trio from Birmingham, England, consisting of guitarist/lead vocalist Alexei Berrow, drummer Junior Elvis Washington Laidley and bassist Kelly Southern...
- Knapsack
- The LocustThe LocustThe Locust is a musical group from San Diego, California, United States known for their unique mix of grindcore speed and aggression, mathcore complexity, and new wave weirdness.- Style :...
- The Mars VoltaThe Mars VoltaThe Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
- Me First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
- Meet Me in St. Louis (band)Meet Me In St. Louis (band)Meet Me In St. Louis were a post-hardcore band from Guildford, Surrey. They were signed to Function Records & BSM Records in England and Denovali Records in Germany, the band's name originates from the 1944 film of the same name....
- The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
- The MelvinsThe MelvinsThe Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
- Omar Rodríguez-LópezOmar Rodriguez-LopezOmar Alfredo Rodríguez-López is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, writer, actor and film director who was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico...
- PanthersPanthers (band)Panthers is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The Village Voice described them as "groundbreaking dissonant HC with Rolling Stones swagger." Three members were previously in the hardcore band Orchid. Panthers have released four records. The most recent two, The Trick and Things Are...
- PiebaldPiebald (band)Piebald is an American alternative rock band. Piebald started as a hardcore band in Andover, Massachusetts, out of the same scene that produced legends Converge. They later moved to the Boston suburb of Somerville and became a staple of the Greater Boston indie rock scene. Two members still live in...
(mixing) - Pissed JeansPissed JeansPissed Jeans are an American noise rock/hardcore punk band from Allentown, Pennsylvania. The band claims to be influenced by 80s hardcore punk and post-hardcore bands...
- POLYSICSPolysicsis a Japanese new wave and rock band from Tokyo, who dubs its unique style as "technicolor pogo punk". It was named after a brand of synthesizer, the Korg Polysix. The band started in 1997, but got their big break in 1998 at a concert in Tokyo...
(mixing) - SamiamSamiam-Biography:Samiam was formed in late 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman club mainstay Isocracy. Their first show was in January 1989 with Christ on Parade. They released records through New Red Archives and Hopeless Records in the US and Burning Heart Records in Europe. In the mid-'90s, the band...
(mixing) - SepulturaSepulturaSepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
(mixing) - So Many DynamosSo Many DynamosSo Many Dynamos is a rock band from St Louis, Missouri, USA. Their music is generally classified as indie rock, combining aspects of pop, dance-punk, and math rock. They take their name from a famous palindrome. The band signed a contract with Vagrant Records in late 2008.-History:So Many Dynamos...
(mixing) - Two GallantsTwo GallantsTwo Gallants could refer to either:* Two Gallants , a short story by James Joyce* Two Gallants , a rock band** Two Gallants , the self-titled album by Two Gallants...