Meet Shawn “e.s.s.” Branchedor | Recording, Mixing Engineer & Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn “e.s.s.” Branchedor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn “E.S.S.”, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The moment I realized I wanted to become a creative specifically in music, I was 11 years old in Port St. Lucie, FL. I remember listening to the radio and with every song that came on, I was always curious about the process on how songs were made from start to finish. I didn’t know anything at all at this time but I was deeply intrigued, “how are songs created??”.

Throughout 4th and 5th grade, I started writing raps in a composition book and collaborating on songs with friends because I always had respect for Rap & Hip-Hop music. I had passed-down CD’s from my older family members which was what inspired me greatly at the time. I didn’t understand or go through the process of song construction and recording music until middle school when my cousin allowed me to record in his home studio. Fast forward to high school, I was in a Rap group, as a rapper, engineer and music producer for the group and other local talent around the city.

This gave me a great deal of experience to be confident enough to pivot into audio production for others. Making my own music was dope, but I felt that helping others bring their creative visions to life is what was more fulfilling to me. Working a 9 to 5 is also not bad, but it wasn’t for me. Having jobs at department stores trying to push credit cards and customer service call centers had me restless. Every time I was at work, all I could think about was how I wasn’t in the studio working on music. It wasn’t until 2015 when I moved to Tallahassee, FL that I pivoted to pursuing a career in audio engineering & music production. Every day I get the blessing of working on music, which I know is my calling. Audio engineering & music production is demanding job, but when you love it, it never feels like a job.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Working full-time as an independent audio engineer and producer via Eternal Stellar Sounds, each day consists of working with recording studios, musicians, creatives, and other music business professionals to meet their sonic goals. What sets me apart from other engineers that I actually care about every piece I work with. I believe in collaboration and allowing those I work with to express themselves as best as possible without them worrying about the quality of the sound. I got where I am today because of self-discipline, consistency, and belief in what I wanted accomplish, no matter how long it would take for me to see it through. It wasn’t easy, but was worth it. All in all, my entire goal is to provide superb quality music to the culture, nothing less.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our itinerary for the week would include a brunch at Roc South Cuisine, coffee and empanada runs in between outings at Golden Drop Cafe, studio session sit ins, scooter and bike rides on the beltline, barhopping along the beltline, catch a local foodie festival, Saturday farmers market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely would like to give a shoutouts to Adrian Dickey & Travis Bush of Goldie Sound Productions (Tallahassee, FL) for helping me see & unlock my own potential to excel as professional in music. I was given the opportunity to intern there in 2017 with no audio degree and didn’t take it for granted. From that internship, I was able to build skills in recording, mixing, and music production, as well as learn the ins and outs of the audio business after 3 years.

Website: https://mixedbyess.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prodbyess/

Twitter: https://www.x.com/prodbyess/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@prodbyess

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rvkakdWzy13oQbZiQaJjq?si=5KvWpR1BRd-FGpdNEmO5SA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/e-s-s/1723011058

Image Credits
In-Studio Shots by Chris Dvon @chrisdvon

Outdoor Shots by Ario @shootario