In an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Senior Mastering Engineer, Leon Zervos, has mastered platinum and gold selling albums totaling over 100 million in sales, including a multitude of Grammy and Aria Award winning works.
Expect a night of fascinating stories, insights into running your own studio business and lifting the lid off the so called “Black Art” of Mastering.
Here’s an opportunity where you can ask all you ever wanted to know about mastering and how we go about it, and also mingle with some of the most talented crew in the country at the panel event and BBQ provided.
The panel will cover:
how to best set up a new studio business in the current economic climate
best way(s) to take a new business to the next level and get momentum working back in your favour
share the strategies that have allowed him to not only stay in business in a commercial facility, but thrive in it during a time where others are down sizing or getting out of the business all together
the best way to get clients and maintain relationships in an ever-competitive market
the myth of “work / life balance”.
mixing and mastering technical approach and workflow practice(s)
RØDE Microphones ran a session in Studio 1 with Jack Prest for one of their endorsed artists. Jack recorded ‘Battle Ax’ – which is an experimental classical/fusion viola player with the assistance of RØDE microphones and their technicians.
A$AP Twelvyy recorded for 3 days with Tom Garnett from the Warner tenancy room (Studio 8). A$AP was on tour here for a few weeks and brought along Kid Laroi to track vocals on a collaboration.
MusicNSW and 301 hosted the Levels Masterclass series in the studios on the 18th of May. This featured 4 x studios with over 50 students working across songwriting, production and mixing techniques with Milan Ring, Mookhi, Sparrows and Rebel Yell.
SIMA and ABC Classics hosted a live album recording for Julien Wilson‘s jazz quartet in Studio 1. There were over 110+ in attendance, with Owen Butcher facilitating a live record and stream to ABC radio.
“Thank you so much for a seamlessly successful event for our Sydney Symphony Vanguard members program. I was so impressed by your professionalism, friendliness and accommodation of all of our requests. The event was well staffed and the team went out of their way to make us feel at home. […] It was a huge honour to hold an event in such an iconic space and we are so grateful for your hospitality at all stages of event planning.”
Leon Zervos has been working on new releases for The Veronicas, Jess Mauboy, Stan Walker, Jungle Giants, Montaigne, Slum Sociable, Cyrus, Sahara Beck, JEFFE, Fergus James and Dawn Avenue (Mexico).
Steve Smart has mastered music for Dean Lewis, Vance Joy, Spookyland, No Frills Twins, Oh Reach, Lakyn, RedHook, Abi Tucker, Danielle Spencer, Dande and the Lion, PLANET, and Ivey.
Andrew Edgson has worked on tracks for The Lulu Raes, The Laurels, Yeevs, Foreign Architects, Merpire, Black Aces, The Paddy Cakes, Noah Dillon, Jack Botts and Fatin Husna (Malaysia).
Ben Feggans has been mastering for Luboku, Oh My My, Emma Hewitt, Love Deluxe, Nick Cunningham and remixes for Alison Wonderland and Owl Eyes.
Congratulations to all of this year’s ARIA nominees, with a special shout out to our incredible clients and their teams that have been nominated including Amy Shark, Esoterik, Adam Eckersley & Brooke McClymont, Jessica Mauboy and Jimmy Barnes. Additional kudos to our Studios 301 team who have worked on their releases.
Our Nominated Clients And Works As Follows:
https://studios301.com/our-work/love-monster/
Apple Music Album Of The Year / Best Female Artist / Best Pop Release Wonderlick Recording Company Mastered by Leon Zervos
https://studios301.com/our-work/my-astral-plane/
Best Urban Release Flight Deck/Mushroom Group Mastered by Leon Zervos
https://studios301.com/our-work/adam-brooke/
Best Country Album Lost Highway Australia / Universal Music Australia Mastered by Leon Zervos “Be like you” and “Awake” vocal engineered by Stefan Du Randt
Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album “Texas Girl At the Funeral of Her Father”recorded at Studios 301 Engineered by Owen Butcher, Assistant Engineer Tom Garnett
August was our biggest month this year in the studios!
Katy Perry at Studios 301 Sydney
Zedd at Studios 301 Sydney
We were visited by global pop sensation Katy Perry and renowned DJ/Producer Zedd on the Australian leg of Katy’s ‘Witness World Tour.’ Katyand Zedd locked out Studios 1 and 2 for 10 days, recording some new material and working with our senior engineer, Simon Cohen and assistant team. Both artists got to hang out with our new studio puppy, what a treat!
While on tour, Katy Perry’s band members Tony Royster Jr & Chris Paytonhit a midnight session with MXXWLL and Deutsch Duke. Our engineers Stefan Du Randt and Jack Garzonio say it’s one of the best sessions they’ve ever been a part of.
US R&B artist Pleasure P (Pretty Ricky) hit the studio with producer Willstah to work on music for the upcoming season of VH1 TV series Love & Hip Hop.
Guy Sebastian and Jess Mauboy hung out in the studio with over 10 local and international songwriters and producers for a 4 day writing camp. Other writers and artists included Graace, The Orphanage, Thief, Tushar and JOY.
Jess Mauboy
Delta Goodrem with studio puppy @sircharlesbarkley_
Australian songstress Delta Goodrem locked out our flagship room studio 1 for 3 days, bringing her whole band for a jam session! Delta invited some lucky fans to come and watch her rehearse in the studio, and laid down some tracks for a new release with our engineer Stefan Du Randt.
David Campbell and Chong Lim have been busy recording a project with our very own engineer, Jack Prest. Stay tuned for more updates on this new project.
ARIA Award Winning singer-songwriters Amy Shark and Samantha Jade spent the day writing and collaborating in Studio 1, with the help of our engineer Jack Garzonio.
Leon Zervos mastered Amy’s most recent album ‘Love Monster’ which debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts.
Amy Shark and Samantha Jade
Masterclasses
Anna Laverty Masterclass
August saw the launch of our masterclass brand with two great sessions. Anna Laverty and Simon Cohen ran masterclasses on production and mixing, both of which sold out within days. We had a huge waiting list of applicants eager to attend, so due to popular demand we will be running a series of future masterclasses.
Steve Smart mastered soundtracks for the original animated Netflix series Beat Bugs 2 and Motown Magic, featuring music from The Beatles & Motown catalogue. He also mastered live albums for Gang of Youths MTV Unplugged, and Paul Kelly Live at the Opera House.
Leon Zervos has been working on releases for Starley (Central Station Records), GLADES (Warner), Owl Eyes (Liberation), ALTA (Soothsayer), Harper Finn (NZ) and Cyrus (Sony).
Andrew Edgson mastered music for The Kite String Tangle (Warner) and Thelma Plum (Warner)
Ben Feggans worked on tracks for SAATSUMA (Grenadilla Sounds) and Jordi Ireland (Casablanca Records).
UPDATE: The 12th annual AIR Awards were held on Thursday 26th July in Adelaide to highlight and recognise the growth and development of Australia’s independent recording sector.
Studios 301 would like to extend a big congratulations to all of the nominees, and give a special shout out to our amazing independent clients who were up for awards this year.
Extra special congratulations to winners on the night The Jungle Giants (‘Quiet Ferocity’ album mastered by Leon Zervos) who tied for the Best Independent Album or EP with Methyl Ethel (‘Everything Is Forgotten’ album).
The Jungle Giants – Used To Be In Love (OFFICIAL)
Below are the nominations for AIR AWARDS worked on by our team.
Projects our team have worked on include music by Amy Shark, Jessica Mauboy, Starley, Illy, Tash Sultana, Thundamentals, Bernard Fanning, The Preatures, Pete Murray, Kasey Chambers, David Campbell, The McClymonts and Sleepmakeswaves.
We look forward to the winners being announced at The 31st ARIA Awards in Sydney on November 28.
Below is a full list of award nominations worked on by the Studios 301 team.
2017 ARIA AWARD NOMINATED ARTISTS
Apple Music Album Of The Year
Amy Shark for “Night Thinker” (Wonderlick Recording Company) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Illy for “Two Degrees” (ONETWO/Warner Music Australia) – Vocal Production by Simon Cohen
Best Male Artist
Illy for “Two Degrees” (ONETWO/Warner Music Australia) – Vocal Production by Simon Cohen
Best Female Artist
Amy Shark for “Night Thinker” (Wonderlick Recording Company) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Jessica Mauboy “The Secret Daughter (Songs from the Original TV Series” (Sony Music Australia) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Breakthrough Artist
Amy Shark for “Night Thinker” (Wonderlick Recording Company) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Tash Sultana for “Notion” (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music Australia) – Singles “Jungle” and “Synergy” mastered by Steve Smart
Best Pop Release
Amy Shark for “Night Thinker” (Wonderlick Recording Company) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Jessica Mauboy for “Fallin’’ (Sony Music Australia) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Best Urban Album
Thundamentals for “Everyone We Know” (High Depth/Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia) – Vocal Production by Simon Cohen, Mastered by Leon Zervos excluding singles “Never Say Never” and “Think About It (feat. Peta & The Wolves)”
Illy for “Two Degrees” (ONETWO/Warner Music Australia) – Vocal Production by Simon Cohen
Best Rock Album
The Preatures for “Girlhood” (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia) – Additional Vocal Recording & Production by Jack Prest
Best Independent Release
Tash Sultana for “Notion” (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music Australia) – Singles “Synergy” and “Jungle mastered by Steve Smart
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Bernard Fanning for “Brutal Dawn” (Dew Process) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Pete Murray for “Camacho” (Sony Music Australia) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Best Country Album
Kasey Chambers for “Dragonfly” (Essence Music/Warner Music Australia) – Mastered by Steve Smart, Vocal Recording/ Production on “Romeo and Juliet” – Owen Butcher
The McClymonts for “Endless” (Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album
Sleepmakeswaves for “Made of Breath Only” (Bird’s Robe Records/MGM) – Mastered by Leon Zervos, Assitant Engineer; Dan Frizza.
Best Blues & Roots Album
Tash Sultana for “Notion” (Lonely Lands Records/Sony Music) – Singles “Jungle” and “Synergy” Mastered by Steve Smart
PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS
Apple Music Song Of The Year
Illy for ‘Catch 22 (feat. Anne-Marie)’ (ONETWO/Warner Music Australia) – Vocal Produced by Simon Cohen
Jessica Mauboy for “Fallin” (Sony Music Australia) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Starley for ‘Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)’ (Tinted Records/Universal) – Mixed by Simon Cohen
2017 FINE ARTS AWARDS
Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album
Australian Cast Recording feat. David Campbell “Dream Lover” (Sony Music) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
Jessica Mauboy “The Secret Daughter (Songs from the Original TV Series)” (Sony Music) – Mastered by Leon Zervos
In a career spanning over three decades, Leon Zervos has mastered a swag of Grammy and Aria Award winning music with album sales totalling over 100 million. Moving to New York City in the early 90’s, Leon worked as a senior engineer at renowned mastering houses Sterling Sound and Masterdisk.
In 2009 he relocated back to Sydney Australia, where his career began, to rejoin the Studios 301 team as a Senior Mastering Engineer.
Staying busy, Leon has most recently mastered music for the likes of Cold Chisel, The McClymonts, Pete Murray, Jessica Mauboy, Bernard Fanning, Thundamentals, sleepmakeswaves, The Jungle Giants and Amy Shark to name a few. If you care to peruse his discography further, it’s just like looking through a collection of your favourite albums spanning the last 30 years. There’s no doubt you’ve heard many a tune mastered by Leon, you just may not have known it at the time.
SANTANA – Shaman
https://studios301.com/our-work/shaman/
Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2002, Shaman was the follow-up album to Santana’s Grammy Award winning Supernatural. Continuing from where Supernatural left off, guest features included Musiq, a 16 year-old Michelle Branch, Chad Kroeger, Seal, Macy Gray and Dido.
Words from Leon:
“This was such a great album to work on. The label was ARISTA run by LA Reid at the time, and the A&R was Josh Sarubin. The album came in on multiple formats, from one inch and half inch tape to files on discs and drives. There were many different producers, mixing engineers and studios, so putting it all together as one album was the key to it sounding great. ‘Shaman’ has amazing artists on it; Citizen Cope, Seal, Placido Domingo to name a few. Big hits on the album were “The Game of Love ” featuring Michelle Branch and “Nothing at All” featuring Musiq. I had been a big fan of Santana, so this album was a joy to work on. ‘Shaman’ debuted at No.1 and went on to achieve multiple platinum status.
I also mastered the surround release of the big album ‘Supernatural’ mixed by Elliot Mazer. Elliot is known for producing CSN&Y, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and many more, so being in the studio with Elliot was very cool indeed”.
MAROON 5 – Songs About Jane
https://studios301.com/our-work/songs-about-jane/
Maroon 5’s debut album, Songs About Jane, boasted five charting singles including hits “Harder to Breathe”, “This Love” and “She Will Be Loved”. The album sold over 10 million copies worldwide, peaked at No.1 on the Australian albums’ chart and projected the band into stardom. While Maroon 5 is very much a singles act these days, Songs About Jane stands as their most complete album with cohesive storytelling that’s weaved through every track.
Words from Leon:
“This was a huge album. I remember traveling after its release and everywhere I went I heard this album playing. Great music, great band. The A&R for this album was James Diener from the then new label, Octone Records”
MUSE – The Resistance (5.1 surround sound mix)
https://studios301.com/our-work/the-resistance/
Released on 15 September 2009, The Resistance topped the album charts in 19 countries and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It also won the Grammy award for Best Rock Album in 2011. Critics praised The Resistance for it’s genre-breaking scope and Matthew Bellamy’s stellar arrangement of classical-inspired instrumentation. The version mastered by Leon Zervos was a limited 5000 copy release, which included a DVD containing a 5.1 surround sound mix of The Resistance and a longer version of “Unnatural Selection”.
Words from Leon:
“I mastered the surround version of the album with the band. I remember what a great bunch of guys they were. The mixes were fantastic and the end result in surround was spectacular”.
If you weren’t living under a rock in the year 2000, you’ve heard mega hit “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo. Debuting at No.1 in the UK, the revivalist disco track became the 16th best-selling single of 2000, and a top 10 charting hit in thirteen countries. The track took French house to its highest peak; a peak that despite the current revival movement, has yet to even come close to what it was in the late 90’s/early 2000’s.
Words from Leon:
“Lady by Modjo” was a smash hit. The A&R was Mark Davenport from MCA, and the song still sounds amazing with a great melody and groove”.
*NSYNC – NSYNC
https://studios301.com/our-work/nsync/
In 1996, *NSYNC were shipped off to Sweden to record their first single at Cheiron Studios with Denniz Pop and Max Martin. In 1998, their debut self-titled album (introducing us to Justin Timberlake), was released worldwide during the boy band era that was 1995 – 2005. NSYNC peaked at No.2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and spent a total of thirty weeks in the top 10. Fun fact: when NSYNC blew up in 1998, it was four years before American Idol hit the airwaves, five years before MySpace and iTunes launched, and seven years before any of us watched our first cat video on YouTube.
Words from Leon:
“I mastered the US and worldwide release of the ‘NSYNC’ album. I could tell it was going to be big with so many potential singles on the album. The A&R was Dave Novik from BMG-RCA. Dave had some massive hits as an A&R Manager – a highly respected man”.
Voted the ‘No.1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time’ by VH1, the “Macarena” spent 14 weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, which remains one of the longest runs in history atop the Hot 100. The Spanish pop duo, Los Del Rio, had been together for three decades by the time they wrote “Macarena” in 1992. However it took four years and several different versions before a remix with English language verses became the worldwide dance phenomenon.
Words from Leon:
“What a worldwide hit this song was! It had hit written all over it and I remember it being used in the Democratic National Convention in 1996!!The A&R was Carmen Cacciatore and Dave Novik from BMG-RCA”.
POWDERFINGER – Golden Rule
https://studios301.com/our-work/golden-rule/
Golden Rule is the seventh album by Powderfinger, produced by Nick DiDia, and released on in November 2009. It went 2 x platinum in Australia, and was No.1 on the Australian Albums chart. Golden Rule is a departure from Powderfinger’s signature sound with unusual instrumentation, dramatic angular structures, dissonant strings nestling between harder riffs and experimental harmonies. However it still maintains the band’s knack for producing classic rock songs.
Words by Leon:
“A great band and album produced by Nick DiDia. Powderfinger have so many great songs on this album”.
Welcome To Wherever You Are established a new grunge and alternative direction for INXS, incorporating sitars, a 60-piece orchestra, and a more “raw” sound to their music. It peaked at No.1 on the UK charts; the first Australian band to do so since AC/DC’s Back in Black. Michael Hutchence and the band often commented in interviews that this was their favourite album, even more so than Kick.
Words from Leon:
“INXS were a huge act all over the world. This album was amazing. I really enjoyed working on this one and still love it. It doesn’t seem that long ago…!”
AVRIL LAVIGNE – Let Go
Avril Lavigne’s Let Go was the biggest pop debut of 2002 going 6 x platinum. The No. 21 top-selling album of the decade, it launched Lavigne’s career as a “pop punk princess”, and contributed to the rise of female fronted punk-influenced pop music.
Words from Leon:
“I mastered a single called “Complicated’ and it just blew up. Soon after I mastered the album, it went on to be huge worldwide. Great mixes by Tom Lord Alge from South Beach in Miami”.
AEROSMITH – Nine Lives
https://studios301.com/our-work/nine-lives/
Produced by Aerosmith and Kevin Shirley, Nine Lives peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200. One of its singles, “Pink”, won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance with its harmonica-spiked, bluesy feel, and ended up as the album’s biggest hit. The horn-driven lead single “Falling in Love” and power ballad “Hole in My Soul”, also charted.
Words by Leon:
“This is one of my all time favorite albums I worked on. It was done before and after the holidays in 1996, it sounds amazing. Produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley at Avatar in New York. Steven Tyler was a gentleman”.
MOBB DEEP – The Infamous
https://studios301.com/our-work/the-infamous/
Embedded with hyper-visual lyricism, dark soundscapes, gritty narratives and hard beats, The Infamous marked Mobb Deep’s transition from a relatively unknown rap duo to a commercial success. Upon its release, it debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and No. 3 on the US R&B / Hip Hop albums chart. Featuring guest appearances by Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Q-Tip, who also contributed to the production.
Words by Leon:
“This was a groundbreaking album for East Coast Rap. Rob from Mobb Deep along with Matty and Schott from Loud records were there for the mastering. It still sounds fresh today”.
THE BLACK CROWES – By Your Side
https://studios301.com/our-work/by-your-side/
With the release of By Your Side, The Black Crowes regained commercial and critical ground, with the album reverting to the soulful rock swagger of the band’s best-selling debut, Shake Your Money Maker. Released in early 1999 on Columbia Records, By Your Side debuted at its peak position of No. 26 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Words by Leon:
“I mastered the album ‘By Your Side’ and all the catalogue albums for a new release. This band is so underrated . The perfect combination of rock and soul. The band were such a great bunch of guys and amazing musicians”.
To prog metal enthusiasts, Dream Theatre need no introduction. For their fourth album the band took a far more commercial and “radio-friendly” approach to their usual offering. The fans and critics shared mixed opinions, some called it a “sell-out” and “trimmed-down”, while others hailed it as Dream Theater’s finest moment.Falling Into Infinityis the band’s first and only album to feature keyboardist Derek Sherinian, following the departure of Kevin Moore in 1994.
Words by Leon:
“I mastered many projects for Dream Theater. What an amazing bunch of musicians. Produced by Kevin Shirley. Being a drummer myself it’s great to know and have worked with Mike Portnoy – he is amazing”.
Capitol Punishment is the debut and sole album released by late rapper Big Pun. His lyrical prowess mixed with a newness embodied the sound of 90’s hip-hop. With critical and commercial success, Capitol Punishment was the first solo Latin hip hop record to go platinum. It peaked at No.5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, No.1 on the Top R&B Albums chart, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards.
Words by Leon:
“Big Pun was so original. Nobody was like him. So this album was one of a kind. Pun was at the mastering along with Sean C from Loud Records”.
LOU BEGA – A Little Bit of Mambo
Propelled by the success of the smash single “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)”, A Little Bit of Mambowent platinum in over ten countries. On VH1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders, Lou Bega remarked, “I knew it wouldn’t swim in the middle because it was too different from all the stuff that was outside, so I’m quite happy with it. Mambo makes you happy, Latin music makes you happy; it’s sexual, it’s erotic, energetic, I think that’s the point.”
Malaysian superstar Anuar Zain works on his first album in five years at Studios 301.
After a five year-long wait, fans of award-winning Malaysian singer and multi-award winner Anuar Zain are finally being gifted with a brand new album. Released on Oct 1st this is the crooners 5th studio self-titled album, mixed by 301’s very own Guy Gray in Studio 1 and mastered by Leon Zervos.
Malaysia’s much-loved entertainer made his new project a truly international affair by working on several of the songs with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra as well calling on a select handful of Indonesian and Malaysian composers. Anuar Zain dedicates this album to his fans and music lovers.
In the studio: Guy Gray, Owen Butcher, Anuar Zain and Leon Zervos.
Anuar had this to say about the album:
“every album produced is in line with my team and my experience. Alhamdulillah, with the experience gained in producing albums… we are much wiser now in our selections and we hope that we are able to continue producing better albums in the years to come. Other than the quality of album recording, we also focused very much on the production…”
“In making this album we have been working patiently, and carefully handpicked the best people to work alongside us. Contributions of beautiful songs came from many different talented parties hence taking us more time than usual in the song selection process.”
The album will be available at stores across Malaysia, and on Spotify and iTunes.
Watch the music video for the single here.
Anuar Zain – Andainya Takdir
For details on Anuar’s album and tour, visit www.mydin.com.my, or Anuar’s Instagram or Facebook account (@anuarzainnetwork).
