We had the good fortune of connecting with Mack Woodward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mack, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When you start a career in music, you have to be willing to offer 100% of yourself all the time. Just be available. Make a name for yourself as a reliable, hard working member of the industry. What will happen is that 3 – 5 years later, you will be able to pick and choose what work you want to take, simply because you are in demand. The work life balance solves itself, in a way, if that’s what you want.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been a professional in the music industry for 16 years now. I started out as an intern, cleaning toilets, making coffee, doing food runs and answering phones. I worked hard and was able to work my way into the studios and observe. I would set up mics, work the patch bay, do anything the artist or engineer needed me to do as far as small tasks in sessions. I eventually met Elvis “Blac Elvis” Williams, and wound up with a gig as his personal recording engineer. We worked together for about 5 years and had an amazing time. The time together got us Grammy Certifications for Usher (“Lil Freak”) and Beyonce (“Ego”), in addition to working on numerous other amazing projects. Once I felt my ears were tuned enough, I was ready to jump into mixing songs.  It took a couple years still to hone my skills mixing songs and win the confidence of artists and producers to hire me, but I truly believe the time spent interning, assisting and recording made me an ideal candidate for any project. Additionally, it’s nice to be able to do everything from the ground up myself on my own projects- I have no regrets from any part of my journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My wife and daughter and I are big foodies – so here we go: a list of restaurants and bars in no particular order. Forza Storico, Vino Storico, Barcelona Wine Bar, Mamak Malaysian, Nakato Japanese Restaurant, Bartaco, Southbound, Gwen Tajz, Falling Rabbit, and Hopstixx Brewery are options off the top of my head.  There’s so much great food in Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Juanita, has been an incredible support in my ups and downs with my career. Recently, she was accepted into PA School at Morehouse School of Medicine. I’m incredibly proud of her for not giving up or exploring a “Plan B” – she set her mind to it and did it. She’s doing brilliantly now, and shooting for a career in Cardiology.

Website: www.hemingwaymusicco.com

Instagram: @mackwoodward

Other: In addition to mixing, I co-write and produce music with Calo Vance, a producer/ DJ and great friend of mine. You can his music on Spotify at @calovance and Soundcloud at @calovance or @hemingwaymusic

Image Credits
Image #2, credit TimaFei – linktr.ee/TimaFei

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