Taylor Hales of Electrical Audio

No Wristbands! We Drink For Free

Taylor Hales is the studio manager and recording & mixing engineer at the world-famous Electrical Audio recording studio. He also fills a bunch of other roles at the studio. We talked with Taylor about how he got his start in music and his internship at Electrical Audio. He filled us in on the inner workings at the studio. And he shared many stories about his employer, co-worker and friend, Steve Albini. This was a very emotional episode and we are so grateful to Taylor for sharing this with us.

Time stamps:

3:45: How did you first meet Steve and start working at Electrical Audio?

8:45: How often does an intern actually get hired here?

9:45: What was your life like leading up to working at Electrical Audio?

11:55: At what point did you decide that you wanted to make your passion your career?

15:18: Was your start at Electrical Audio what you expected?

17:16: Did you pick people's brains while you were interning?

18:26: What was day one like here as an intern?

20:07: What does a studio manager do at Electrical Audio?

25:07: Was your intention with the internship to get to stay forever?

28:34: Have you thought about what it was about you that led to you getting a job there?

29:45: It seems like your experience with Steve was different than how people viewed him

32:18: Have you learned anything about Steve that has surprised you since he passed?

34:45: How did Steve's disdain for money translate into how you helped him run a studio?

36:09: What are some of your favorite albums Steve produced?

40:21: What are some of the things you've taken away from Steve with how you record a band?

43:11: Did Steve actually think producing was an important job?

46:45: What are some magic moments you've had at Electrical Audio?

48:45: How do you honor Steve moving forward?

52:38: From a recording engineer perspective, what are some of the things that Steve made a lasting impression on?

55: What is it about Steve and Chicago that fit so well together?

57: When you think about Chicago music, what do you think about?

58: Have you become an audio snob from working at Electrical Audio, and do you have a favorite Chicago venue?

61:43: Deep dish or thin crust fan?

62:35: What happens with Shellac moving forward?

63:36: What is your go to cheap drink?

64:35: Anything you think people should know about Steve that we haven't talked about?