Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bodall.
Hi, Chris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been musical. As a child, I remember jumping off the couch with my toy guitar pretending to be a rockstar while my mom was blasting Queen on the stereo. I could always tell when recordings sounded “good” or “bad” even though I didn’t know why until later. It wasn’t until I moved from Toms River, NJ to Raleigh, NC at the age of 13 that I picked up an instrument. And, of course, it was because of a girl. Being the hopeless romantic I was, I wanted to surprise her by playing and singing “our” song on guitar. We ended up breaking up before I got the chance, but the writing was on the wall. I was going to make music for the rest of my life.
In high school, I was obsessed with going to shows and seeing all the major / local bands I could. But I wanted a piece of the action for myself. I only played a show or two, but I really got into recording. I started with cover songs and eventually wrote a bunch of originals with my friends Charles and Tosky. During my senior year, in the middle of a college campus tour at Appalachian State University, I stopped dead in my tracks. I was having major deja vu, though I’d never been there before. I had literally seen this place in my dreams and knew this was where I was meant to go.
I had pretty bad grades in high school, but once I started my music classes in college, I got straight A’s and made Dean’s List twice. I got as involved as possible with music-related things on campus, like joining all the clubs, working at the music venues, and DJing at the campus radio station (90.5 WASU FM). I even managed to work my way up to Production Director of WASU! And, I co-hosted a radio show about local music (Chris and Squeaks).
After graduating in 2007, I did an internship at Sabella Studios on Long Island. Sadly, when the internship ended they didn’t need to hire another engineer. This is when I officially started OverTone Music. I chose the name because as a guitar player, harmonics (or overtones) are one of my favorite elements. They sound so cool. (If you don’t know what guitar harmonics sound like, Google it.) My dad helped design a logo with me, and I printed off some business cards. It was official. I was a small business owner. But, living in New York was too expensive, so I made the painful decision to move back to NC.
While working full time at a music store, a woman wandered in and asked if there was anyone who could help with recording. She needed an engineer for a voiceover (VO) workshop she was running at SoundTrax Recording Studios. I met with owner / head engineer Tom Guild who wanted to familiarize me with their setup since it was unusual. They were using an old AMS Neve Audiofile system from the 80s… in 2010. After some training, Tom said I had learned the system faster than anyone they’d ever seen, so they offered me a job! I was in! Finally, after 3 years of uncertainty, I had a job at a real studio. I worked there for years running sessions for high profile and local clients, meeting all kinds of people (including celebrities), and learning all kinds of things. All it takes is just one chance. One moment can change your whole life.
My reputation at SoundTrax opened up doors for me at other studios, like Trailblazer Studios (mixing TV shows for Discovery/TLC like 19 Kids and Counting, Sister Wives, and Abby & Brittany), Atlantic Creative (now Blueforest Studios – managing on-hold music/recording commercials for places like Harley Davidson), and McKinney (recording VO for commercials/various projects for companies like Carmax and Sherwin-Williams). I also taught for years at the Cary School of Music (guitar, bass, ukulele, music production), Raleigh Music Academy (guitar, ukulele), and The Recording Connection (Audio Engineer certification and mentorship).
As time went on, I started doing more work out of my home studio and less at commercial recording studios. It was easier, cheaper, and more comfortable. These days, I work exclusively out of my home studio. I’ve worked with everyone from local artists recording their first song, to huge projects seen by millions, and everything in-between. I also write and produce my own music and sell music-related merch, like T-shirts.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is it ever a smooth road? I’ve been broke most of my journey. I remember literally having to choose what food to put back at the grocery store because I couldn’t afford all of it and my credit cards were maxed out. Also, jobs come and go. But I’ve always done what it takes to keep moving. It hasn’t been easy living through multiple recessions, wars, and a global pandemic. The biggest struggle has always been the feast or famine of the flow of business. Some months I’m drowning in work. Some months I feel like I may never work again. Having a consistent schedule would be great. But it practically doesn’t exist in this industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of the high-level projects I’ve worked on being a one-man operation in a relatively small home studio. My biggest client is Pinkfong (yes, the Baby Shark song people). I’ve recorded hundreds of songs for them totaling unknown millions of views on YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, and Nickelodeon. I’ve even voiced a few myself.
I recorded a #1 best-selling audiobook on Amazon/Audible, ran sound for a NASA event where students interviewed an astronaut on the ISS, repaired the recording studio of one of the largest syndicated radio shows in the country, recorded a song for Long John Silver’s, and worked with Us The Duo and Jeff Timmons (98°).
I equally enjoy the hundreds of talented local artists I’ve worked with. I don’t care if you’re famous. I care if you’re good. I’d say what sets me apart from others is my attention to detail / perfectionism, efficiency, and ability to give honest feedback. Since I’ve been both artist and engineer for all kinds of projects, I generally know what something needs and the fastest way to get there.
My work mostly falls into 4 tiers –
Audio Production (Recording, editing, mixing, and mastering of music, vocals, VO, audiobooks, podcasts, jingles, etc.).
Lessons (Audio / Music Production. Private Lessons or Certification via Recording Connection. Instruments – Guitar, Bass, Ukulele).
Consulting (Studio Consulting & Gear Troubleshooting, Voiceover (VO) Demo Reels & Coaching).
Other (Executive Producing, Audio Transfer/Restoration, String Changing/Instrument Maintenance).
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Years ago, I wanted to start moving away from being tied to my studio (a lot of my work is recording) and just focus on mixing so all I need with me is a laptop and a pair of headphones. That way I can get work done anywhere in the world and travel more. Covid obviously disrupted travel. I wish I had put more time/effort into building up my online mixing business but I also can’t help but believe everything happens for a reason. I’ll end up where I need to be.
- Contact Info:
- Email: OverToneMusicNC@gmail.
com - Website: https://www.
overtonemusicnc.com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/overtonemusicnc/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/overtonemusicnc - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
overtonemusicnc - SoundCloud: https://
soundcloud.com/overtonemusicnc - Other: https://linktr.ee/
OverToneMusicNC
- Email: OverToneMusicNC@gmail.
Image Credits
Patrick Manss and Edgar Bernal
