staff profile

Martin Jenkins

Martin Jenkins is one of our most in-demand engineers and producers, and if you need proof of that, past projects have included Robert Plant, Kylie, David Sylvian and Sugababes, to name but a few. You can read Martin's review of The Square's new LOMO 19A19 microphone later in the issue, but for now, you really should read more about the man himself...



A) The facts:

MILC: What do you do here at Miloco?

Martin: Engineer/ programmer

MILC: How long have you been at Miloco?

MJ: About 15 years now.

MILC: Please name a few of the projects/artists you've been involved with at Miloco.

MJ: The Gossip, David Sylvian, The Rain, Jenna G, Howie B, Dom T (not Mr C though)

MILC: Which producer/engineer would you most like to work with?

MJ: Dave Fridmann or Geoff Emerick

MILC: What do you think Miloco can offer over other studios?

MJ: The sheer variety of spaces, good vibe and loads of nice gear!

Also...

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?

MJ: The input gain knob on the Chandler TG1 Limiter in The Pool.

MILC: If your current clients were a sandwich, what would they be?

MJ: Pastrami, cheese and gherkin on ciabatta.

Favourite music section:

MILC: What was your favourite album when you were:

a) 5-12 yrs old?
Adam And The Ants-Kings Of The Wild Frontier
b) 13-16?
Frankie Goes To Hollywood-Welcome To The Pleasuredome
c) 17-25?
Led Zeppelin III

MILC: If you could have been involved in the recording of any one album, which one would it have been?

MJ: Of the above? It would have to be Led Zeppelin III (I did get to work with Robert Plant on his latest album though, almost as good!)

MILC: What is your favourite album cover and why?

MJ: Masters Of Reality "The Blue Garden" I used too stare at it for hours as a teen when I'd drunk(!) too much...

MILC: Which other producer/engineer's work has influenced you most over the last 12 months?

MJ: James Holden, Dave Fridmann

Silly questions:

MILC: What's the last film you saw at the cinema (was it any good)?

MJ: Hot Fuzz, very funny, but not as good as Shaun Of The Dead.

MILC: What's your favourite kitchen utensil and why?

MJ: Sabatier knife, 'cos it's always sharp.

MILC: What's the last book you read/ what are you reading now?

MJ: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

MILC: When was the last time you lost your temper with someone and what did they do?

MJ: I can't remember the last time I lost my temper, my wife says I'm too laid back for my own good!

MILC: What's your biggest regret so far this year?

MJ: It's too early for regrets so far, maybe later in the year there will be some (I'm going to Amsterdam on a stag do soon!)

MILC: Any ideas for what your tombstone might read?

MJ: I'm only sleeping.

All-comers title fight:

MILC: Who would win a fight between... Kylie and Danni Minogue? (and why?)

MH: Danni, but surely it would be an unfair fight, flyweight versus middleweight.

Final music section:

MILC: Which is the best gig you've ever been to?

MJ: Probably Nirvana at the Kilburn National in '91

MILC: What's the worst behaviour you've ever witnessed in a studio?

MJ: Some drummer's (can't remember who) Chihuahua shitting everywhere, and I had to run round clearing up after it. (I was an assistant at the time).

MILC: What's the longest studio time you've ever spent on an, ultimately pointless, task?

MJ: Probably a day tuning vocals, only for the singer to come in later and say, "I was gonna redo those vocals anyway"

The end bit:

Thank you very much for submitting yourself to the Miloco Magazine inquisition; your time, effort and patience is much appreciated.



Martin jenkins was talking to MILC in March 2007

Martin's CV can be viewed here: Martin Jenkins

© MILC@Miloco 2007