For episode 609, Matt talks with Eric M Lichter — multi-instrumentalist, producer, and owner of Dirt Floor Recording in Connecticut, where he’s been in business for twenty years. Eric came up singing in chorus, spent time on Martha’s Vineyard playing the Hot Tin Roof and landing in Carly Simon’s living room with Danny Kortchmar and Jerry Marotta in the liner notes, then moved to New York, recorded at Sear Sound on a Polygram AR’s dime, and eventually landed back in Connecticut to open a studio on a wing and a prayer in 2006. They talk about the Ed Wood approach to recording — get the vibe before the moment is gone — why he leaves the beauty marks in, pitching a studio to 90-year-old landlords, keeping a tight ship with bankers hours, vetting clients for energy, a proposal-based pricing model, and the Caribou Ranch mentality that has everyone leaving with fresh eggs from the chickens out back. In This Episode, We Discuss: Twenty Years of Dirt Floor Recording in ConnecticutGrowing Up in a Sports-First Town and Finding His Voice in ChorusThe Soccer Coach Who Changed His LifeJohn Mayer, Keith Richards, and Goose — Connecticut’s Quiet Music SceneThe Hot Tin Roof on Martha’s Vineyard — and Carly Simon’s Living RoomDanny Kortchmar, Jerry Marotta, and Reading the Credits as a KidNew York City, Polygram, and Recording at Sear SoundFailing Guitar 101 in College and Trusting the Natural ThingThe Troubadour Years — Singer-Songwriter on the RoadWatching His Brother Make a Record With Jerry Marotta at JarysvilleDiscovering Tape Op and Saying Out Loud “I’m Going to Be in That Magazine”Starting Dirt Floor in Chester, Connecticut in 2006The Ed Wood Approach: Getting the Vibe Before the Moment Is GoneBeauty Marks — Why He Leaves the Imperfections InWhy Real Music Is Winning Against AIKids Discovering Van Halen and AC/DC on Their OwnEthan Johns, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner — Who Inspired HimThe Rented House That Became Dirt Floor’s Current HomePitching a Studio to 90-Year-Old Landlords — and Winning Them OverKeeping Overhead Low — The Case for Renting vs. OwningVetting Artists: Why He Turns Down Projects That Drain the RoomBankers Hours: 9:30 to 5:30 and Going HomeOther Engineers Working Nights — The Studio Humming When He’s Not TherePricing by Proposal — Hourly, Day Rate, and Full Project BudgetThe Caribou Ranch Mentality — Full Hospitality for Artists Who StayEverybody Leaves With Eggs — The Dirt Floor Signature In This Episode, We Discuss: Twenty Years of Dirt Floor Recording in ConnecticutGrowing Up in a Sports-First Town and Finding His Voice in ChorusThe Soccer Coach Who Changed His LifeJohn Mayer, Keith Richards, and Goose — Connecticut’s Quiet Music SceneThe Hot Tin Roof on Martha’s Vineyard — and Carly Simon’s Living RoomDanny Kortchmar, Jerry Marotta, and Reading the Credits as a KidNew York City, Polygram, and Recording at Sear SoundFailing Guitar 101 in College and Trusting the Natural ThingThe Troubadour Years — Singer-Songwriter on the RoadWatching His Brother Make a Record With Jerry Marotta at JarysvilleDiscovering Tape Op and Saying Out Loud “I’m Going to Be in That Magazine”Starting Dirt Floor in Chester, Connecticut in 2006The Ed Wood Approach: Getting the Vibe Before the Moment Is GoneBeauty Marks — Why He Leaves the Imperfections InWhy Real Music Is Winning Against AIKids Discovering Van Halen and AC/DC on Their OwnEthan Johns, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner — Who Inspired HimThe Rented House That Became Dirt Floor’s Current HomePitching a Studio to 90-Year-Old Landlords — and Winning Them OverKeeping Overhead Low — The Case for Renting vs. OwningVetting Artists: Why He Turns Down Projects That Drain the RoomBankers Hours: 9:30 to 5:30 and Going HomeOther Engineers Working Nights — The Studio Humming When He’s Not TherePricing by Proposal — Hourly, Day Rate, and Full Project BudgetThe Caribou Ranch Mentality — Full Hospitality for Artists Who StayEverybody Leaves With Eggs — The Dirt Floor Signature Matt’s RANT!: Getting the Job Done! Links and Show Notes: Dirt Floor RecordingWCA #363 with Chaz RootWCA #341 with Cynthia DanielsWCA #552 with Daniel HolterWCA #575 with Michael BeinhornTape Op Magazine Credits: Guest: Eric M LichterHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
