RETURN TO DUST – A CONVERSATION WITH PRODUCER JIM KAUFMAN
By Ralph Beauchamp
Back to dust is a four-piece hard rock outfit from LA that's about to make some huge noise. We interviewed Matty Bielawski (Vocals/Guitar) and Graham Stanush (Vocals/Bass) last May when they released their powerful single 'Black Road'. “Black Road” is a pulverizing monster that perfectly captures the gritty grunge-inspired sound. The track totally blew us away. At the studio, RTD have teamed up with the stalwart producer, Jim Kaufman.
In addition to Bielawski and Stanush, the band consists of Sebastian Gonzalez (Lead Guitar) and new drummer London Hudson. Back to dust will release their debut full length on May 3rd. The album offers 10 gems that are sonically ruthless. The composition and musicianship of the band is hot. RTD have delivered an impressive record that will instantly elevate them to the upper echelons of today's music landscape.
Jim Kaufman is a master of the dying art of proper record production. As a record producer, mixer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jim dives deep and leaves no stone unturned in promoting and customizing the songs and sound of the artist he's in the studio with. His studio is filled with a unique mix of vintage and modern equipment that forms the backbone of his personal and in-depth production style. Jim has worked with a host of notable artists including Helmet, Atlas Genius, Everclear and Anti-Flag.
Kaufman sits down with AMP to discuss all things Back to dust.
AMP: How did you get involved with Return To Dust?
Jim: About four years ago my intern at the time who happens to be my current assistant engineer was living in my office because he had nowhere to stay after graduating from recording school. He asked me if he could have some friends over. Mati and Graham are out for a walk.
Then they pick up some of my acoustic guitars and start playing. I asked them what they were doing and they said they were both in college. I then asked if they were in a band and when they sent me no I just blurted out “move to LA and I'll make you a record”. And they sure did!
They arrived here around March 2020, just before the pandemic hit. The whole town shut down and they got jobs waiting tables and in grocery stores. They had rented a studio apartment in Inglewood and were sending me tapes of work with about 300 songs. All in one semester.
When Covid broke, they rented a house in West Covina, where they started jamming in the garage. One day, the garage door slammed and a 15-year-old boy was standing there with his mother. He said he played guitar and wondered if he could jam with them. It turns out that Sebastian is now 18 years old and the lead guitarist of the PRS backing band. One never knows what the future holds.
AMP: Do you think your production enhanced their musical style?
Jim: Yes! I saw something in them when they weren't even a band. I helped them find their sound. My job as a record producer is to identify what is unique about an artist and push them to be more of themselves. So I didn't give them their sound but I helped clarify and amplify it.
AMP: Nice earthquake on the next question. What do you think makes Return To Dust unique?
Jim: You don't see many 18-20 year olds who can play and write like these guys. Also, another unique aspect of the band is that they have two lead singers. They carry the load equally. Matty sings some songs while Graham sings others. But because they have grown up together, they have an almost sibling relationship when they harmonize. Plus, they're amazing songwriters and now that Seb and London are officially in the band, it's a totally great unit.
AMP: What's the band like in the studio?
Jim: RTD it's great to work. My production style is to try to record as much as possible at the same time. I try to get them in the right headspace since we're recording drums, bass and rhythm guitar at the same time. Then we overdub the lead guitars. So, with Back to dust, it's all about capturing great performances. We also do a lot of pre-production to find the right groove for each song. In fact, they are a force to be reckoned with and I'm just trying to steer them in the right direction.
AMP: Return To Dust has a strong neo-grunge groove. I've noticed quite a few young bands that exude a similar style. Do you feel like grunge is making a resurgence?
Jim: Absolutely! I was the target demographic for the original grunge movement. I was about 12 years old when Alice In Chains came out Dirt. Also, when Soundgarden and Pearl Jam released their first albums. I know grunge like the back of my hand. It's my favorite form of music.
It's amazing to see this resurgence develop so naturally. The music is cyclical and it's great to see these guys have really embraced this type of music. They are not posers because they definitely embody the true spirit of grunge. In my opinion, RTD he is the leader of the pack. I believe a new grunge scene is about to open wide soon and I'm excited!
AMP: RTD's new album is out on May 3rd. Do you feel like there's a song on the record that will turn heads?
Jim: “Belly Up” seems to be the new single the band will be promoting, but I love all the songs. For me, “Face Down” is one of their strongest tracks. “Strangers” is another grabber. RTD just write great tunes.
AMP: Where do you see the band in the next few years?
Jim: Playing arenas! believe RTD will be the largest group in the world. With the addition of London as drummer, the band is completely complete. They had a revolving door full of drummers, but London really rounds out the band. I've seen him play with the kids in their rehearsal space and it's magical.
AMP: More on a personal note, You are also a multi-instrumentalist and producer. Are there different dynamics between the two?
Jim: By all means! I feel like the multi-instrumentalist was a part of my past life. Now I'm surrounded by musicians who are so much better than me that I rarely play anymore. But when it comes to the production chair, with this story, I bring a certain awareness to the table. I've been in bands, toured and written a lot of songs and I use that experience to follow my instincts in the studio. So my musical side helps me to help them. I bring a musicality to my production that allows me to enhance their performances in the studio.
AMP: You have worked with a group of important artists. Are there any cool stories?
Jim: Well, I just did the new Helmet album titled Left. Helmet is about to embark on a major North American tour. When I first moved to California, I was an assistant to Charlie Clouser (NIN). I was the runner during Helmet's recording The size matters. I did all the dirty work back then like going out to get sandwiches, but I managed to mix some of their drums. So to come full circle and be able to produce their new album is a really cool moment for me, being able to work in the studio with bands like Helmet and Everclear gives me the opportunity to develop new artists like Back to dust.
AMP: What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
Jim: The proudest moment has to be when Matty and Graham walked into my studio and I told them to quit college.
AMP: What's next for the band and you?
Jim: Back to dust is going to go on tour. Announcements will be coming soon. We are currently exploring some label partners and there seems to be an explosion going on in that regard.
As for myself, I just moved into my brand new studio and have been making records. I will discover new talent and continue to work with all the “legacy” bands that I can produce music with. And to raise my children.
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