HEY, here's my life story
(pretty much)

MEET ROAN O'REILLY
PRODUCER, ENGINEER, MUSICIAN

   I was born and raised in Athens. My love of recording music began when I was 14 years old. The moment I learned how to arm a track to record in the free software I had, my world opened up. 

In off periods in high school I'd drive home and record demos with what was available to me, slowly building a collection of gear over time.  I also love Dungeons and Dragons and will talk about it any chance I get.

   The Nuçi's Space Camp Amped program was one of the main driving forces in my youth that made me into the person I am. What I learned in the program inspired me to start playing in bands around town at just 13, to get comfortable in all sorts of studio environments, and it fostered a love for the process of writing music with all the talented musicians that I'm lucky to be surrounded by in Athens!

  I started interning at a studio called Gifthorse in the summer of 2020 when I was 17. At that point, some of my favorite bands in town had recorded or were actively recording there! I assisted in the engineering of some really fun records and learned a lot from my friends Alec, Steve, and Matt. Eventually, after a year or so of interning there, I enrolled in the Tweed Recording Audio Production program.

   At Tweed, I learned just how much I didn't yet know about recording, mixing, and mastering. Going in with some prior experience with pro tools, electronic signal flow, and musical theory definitely helped in the beginning. I knew sort of what I was doing and was just given the keys (or rather a key fob) to a studio filled with some real top-of-the-line stuff to play with! Over the 18 week program, I learned a ton about the process and business. I also made great friends along the way!

   The week after graduating from Tweed was my first set of sessions by myself at Gifthorse. This was the first time I was specifically hired as the only engineer/producer on a project! Exciting stuff! I continued to work in that capacity for a while, helping other people achieve their vision as best I could through producing, mixing, and mastering. Steve and I, with the help of others along the way, built all sorts of sound paneling and revamped/rewired the studio to fit our needs! That was a super fun process that also taught me a ton.

   In summer of 2023, I was able to return to Camp Amped, this time as an instructor. To me, it's the most important thing I've ever had an opportunity to do! Creating an environment where kids feel comfortable learning and expressing themselves musically has fundamentally changed the way that I view making music as an adult.

  The same month I started instructing, my cousin Seamus took his own life after a long battle with depression. Another beautiful soul, stifled by a restrictive culture surrounding topics like mental health and suicide. I only wish that every town could have a place like Nuçi's.

   All told, it was an eventful summer. Now I'm moving my recording prospects closer to home and taking a break from most session work for now till the end of the year. When I've settled into a new home, and in turn a new home-studio, I plan to start recording bands again! This time, primarily to 1/2" and 1/4" tape. Stay tuned.