Featured Artist - Stuart Brawley

Stuart is a rare all-in-one talent, able to seamlessly switch from writer to producer to engineer. He is also a gifted musician, arranger and orchestrator, and prides himself on being a chameleon, comfortable working with rock bands like Aerosmith or classical singers like Josh Groban. His private recording studio - The Backyard - is located in Sherman Oaks, California. This cozy facility is loaded with latest digital recording technology along with an eclectic array of analog modules and vintage instruments.

Stuart got his musical start early, studying both piano and violin lessons at the age of three. He attended a nationally renowned high school Performing Arts program, was awarded a music scholarship at the University of Toronto, and finished his schooling at Canada’s famed Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College. After a two year long apprenticeship at Canada’s legendary Sounds Interchange Studios, Stuart moved on to Los Angeles, working with top producers, engineers and artists at the world renowned Record Plant Studios. Shortly thereafter, he began his career as a freelance producer, songwriter, engineer, and musician.

Stuart has engineered or mixed records for Michael Jackson, Don Henley, NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Brandy, Nick Lachey, Seal, Celine Dion, Avion, The Mooney Suzuki, The Matrix, and many more. He has written and/or produced songs for Don Henley, Teddy Geiger, Darren Hayes, Brandy, Emmy Rossum, Jason Reeves, AVION, Nick Lachey, Outmatch, Jump5 and many more. Most notably, Stuart co-wrote Don Henley’s single “Taking You Home,” which received a BMI award for being one of the most played songs of 2000. In 2005, Stuart co-wrote and produced “Seven Days Without You” which went Top 20 on Billboard for AVION, and was subsequently released by Teddy Geiger on Columbia Records.

Last year Stuart wrote and produced all of Emmy Rossum’s (The Phantom Of The Opera, The Day After Tomorrow, Mystic River), debut album for GEFFEN. The 3 song “sneak peak,” released on iTunes, charted at #2, and the full album received critical acclaim for its eclectic vocal arrangements and personal songs.

2008 saw the release of Jason Reeves' (Colbie Caillat collaborator) debut album for Warner, for which Stuart wrote and produced 2 songs. Right now, Stuart has a Top 40 radio hit with Lenka’s (EPIC) “The Show,” and is currently in the studio with Aaron Barnhart (Bonded Records/UMG), and producing his first artist -- Jenna Beck -- on his own label. Upcoming projects include Kelly Sweet (Razor and Tie,) and Emmy Rossum's (Geffen) follow up release.

What does Stuart look for in a studio monitor?
“I expect my near fields to be honest...don't make it sound so good that the real world is a let down. At the same time, I need them to have clarity, depth, and an accurate low end, especially given the less-than-perfect room in which I work.”

For more information on Stuart Brawley, visit his Myspace Music page.