Staff profile
Daniel Rejmer
Daniel is our bearded and knit-loving wunderkid, on the fast rise to exciting things. Get to know his likes, dislikes, curious opnions on 1980s Hollywood blockbusters involving planes, and so on, as he dives into the unknown world of MILC staff profiles...
A) A few important starters:
MILC: First of all, how did you start out in the music industry?
Daniel: I had no idea what to do after high school, and because I'd been playing guitar since I was 10 I thought something in music would be good. I ended up studying sound production, got bored after 3 months and left to go work at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne. At Sing Sing I got to assist a whole range of amazing producers and engineers, Tom Lord-Alge, Mark Howard, Nick Launay and a load more... Was a great place to cut my teeth so to speak!
MILC: And what led you to the welcoming doormats of the Miloco group?
Daniel: I was getting itchy feet in Melbourne and needed to get out and see the world a bit more... I moved to London just to see what would happen career wise... Miloco happened!
MILC: And where do you want your career in music to take you? World domination? A rice-maracas gig on the next Jason Donovan album? Tell us...
Daniel: I go where the money is!
MILC: You've been hooking up with some pretty cool bands and artists of late. Would you care to let us know who you've been working with?
Daniel: I've really been enjoying working with the bands that have come my way recently... just did a mix for Little Comets in the Engine Room, that seems to be doing well... also just did a bit of engineering for Golden Silvers with Lexxx producing in the Garden... also did a couple of mixes for a Mystery Jets EP... and some other odds and ends, some stuff with M Craft... lots of different but exciting stuff!
MILC: On your sharp ascent to engineering glory, you must be looking towards various producers and other contemporaries to draw inspiration from. Care to drop a few names who have had a creative influence on you?
Daniel: I really like when people don't try to copy what everyone else is doing! And not making the same sounding records as everyone else! I would list Daniel Lanois, Tchad Blake, Flood, Alan Moulder and Phil Spector as my favorite producers... what these guys all have in common is that what they've done has pretty much always been interesting. As far as newer producers that I rate... I'd really put Lexxx (Alex Dromgoole) up there! And I almost always love Valgier Sigardson's work!
MILC: You've been doing a fair bit of work recently in Miloco's classic Garden studio in Shoreditch. What is it about this room which has so consistently over the years appealed to bands and producers as a great tracking space?
Daniel: The live room is just undeniably great! Gear makes up a good part of it... but if the room doesn't sound any good you're pretty much stuffed... the Garden's live room kicks some serious butt... especially for drums!
Favourite music section:
MILC: Any musical tips (biased or otherwise) for the brand new year that is 2009?
Daniel: Golden Silvers... biased of course... Lexxx really has done a stellar job on this!
Ben Frost... Iceland based musician/composer... if his new record is anywhere near as good as his last then it'll be nothing short of amazing!
MILC: And on which albums of 2008 do you look back on with the fondest of memories?
Daniel: I think one of my favorite releases of last year was M83's Saturdays = Youth... I actually love all of their past releases... but this one's pretty special!
MILC: Which track in the entire history of music, are you the most goddamn relieved not to have any involvement in making? (this of course shouldn't really be in the 'Favourite Music Section' but hey...)
Daniel: That's easy...
Kenny Loggins: 'Highway To The Danger Zone'
Followed by a close second, Berlin: 'Take My Breath Away'
No coincidence that they're both from my favorite film of all time... Top Gun!
So bad... SO SO BAD!!!
MILC: Similarly, is there any track which whenever you hear, and whatever mood you are in, actually does turn you lime, emerald, grassy, or any other shades of green?
Daniel: The Ronettes - 'Be My Baby'
BOOM BOOM BOOM KAH... BOOM BOOM BOOM KAH!!!
Need I say more!?!?!
Technical stuff:
MILC: What piece(s) of gear have you come across recently which you'd recommend to fellow engineers and producers, and why?
Daniel: Yamaha DX-7... Oh so bad... oh so good!
Yamaha SPX-90... oh so bad... oh so good!!!
MILC: Staff knob of the month. Of all the switches, buttons, effects and tools at your disposal during recent Miloco sessions, which single one has given you most satisfaction?
Daniel: Valve 47 through the Telefunken V76 on vocals...
Normally I don't like valves on valves, but this combo has been pretty outstanding recently!
MILC: Besides knobs and your previous recommendations, what other pieces of Miloco gear are floating your boat currently???
Daniel: Both the SSL Compressor and Vari-Mu Compressor across the mix...
One compressor not enough? Use two!
It's silly time:
MILC: If your presence on planet earth was to come to a permanent end this afternoon (through untimely demise, intergalactical emigration, or otherwise), what would you hope to be remembered for the most?
Daniel: My vast collection of woolen knits! And in my will I'd stipulate that they should be put up on public display so the whole world can look, admire, and enjoy!
MILC: How many mince pies did you eat at Christmas?
Daniel: Precisely None!
MILC: You are given the opportunity to invite one person only (and it can be literally anyone) to a one-off boxing match where they have one arm tied behind their back, whereas you have both hands free. Who would you invite?
Daniel: Tom Cruise...
By no coincidence the star of my all time favorite film Top Gun!
MILC: Any ideas for what your tombstone might read?
Daniel: Daniel Rejmer...
Owner of the finest collection of woolen knits known to mankind!
Or:
Known for his love/hate relationship with the 1986 box office smash Top Gun!
MILC: You are given the sole responsibility of electing Britain's next Prime Minister, on one condition that the elected person is a) NOT an official politician past or present, and b) NOT you. Who do you elect?
Daniel: Tom Cruise...
Final music section:
MILC: If you could turn back the clocks and re-visit ONE gig that you went to in the past, which one would it be??
Daniel: Sunn O))) - Melbourne 2004
Single handedly the loudest gig I've ever been to... more of an "experience" than a gig really!
MILC: What's the longest studio time you've ever spent on an ultimately pointless, task (any tongue in cheek remarks on MILC staff profiles are strictly forbidden!)?
Daniel: Hmm... nothing too crazy... but I once spent a good part of a day setting up drum sounds... 13 or so mics... spending time with the assistant and making everything sound great... only for the drummer to turn up and late in the afternoon and record a few bits of percussion with a pair of 87's...
MILC: Have you any work-related New Year's resolutions? If not make one up...
Daniel: Less coffee... more herbal teas!!!
The end bit:
Thank you very much, Daniel, for opening up to Milc Magazine. We hope you have got some issues off your chest, and more-importantly enjoyed your brief but very worthwhile interview. Your time, effort and patience is very much appreciated.
Daniel Rejmer was talking to MILC in January 2009
Daniel's CV can be viewed here: www.miloco.co.uk/management/danrejmer.php
© MILC@Miloco 2009