Erin Enderlin – Co-Owner

Name: Erin Enderlin

Title: Co-Owner

Company or Organization: Cotton Gin Productions

Artists or projects worked with: Erin Enderlin 2 albums, Adam Brand Get On Your Feet, South Of Mason

Link: facebook.com/cottonginproductions/

FEMMUSIC: How did you get started in studio production?

EE: I got into production by way of my own demos and albums.  The studio is such a creative and inspiring place, it’s one of my favorite parts of the music process.  I also really believed in the talent of my friend and business partner Alex Kline, so we started Cotton Gin Productions mainly to help provide opportunities to showcase her creative vision.

FEMMUSIC:  Producing an album takes on many forms. Tell me about what you do?  What do you look for in a project? What are your goals with a finished product?

EE: My main focus is more of an executive producer role.  I do A&R for songs for the project, if the artist is looking for outside songs.  I also work with budgets, timelines, label copy, and lots of activities that involve spreadsheets!  I also have creative input including pre-pro and in the studio.  To me the first thing I look for in a project is the artist personality, are they easy to work with, do our personalities jive, does it seem like it will be a fun enjoyable partnership.  Next, do I connect with the music – is it something I’ll personally be passionate about.  As for my goals with the finished product, I want to have something I’m proud of and that makes the artist feel like they’ve realized their creative vision for the project and are excited for their fans to hear it.

FEMMUSIC:  What challenges do you see for women in studio production?

EE: I’m relatively new and insulated in my studio experience, but the main issue that comes to mind for me is just not having a ton of female role models to look up to (in country music) but they are out there and I see more and more women getting into production in my genre.  I think just seeing more women in production will allow other women to see themselves in studio production – and encourage them to follow whatever their passions are in the music industry.

FEMMUSIC:  What mentors did you have when learning?

EE: My first publisher, Jeff Carlton, taught me a lot about working in the studio.  He showed me how to set up a session and how to communicate my ideas with the musicians.  T.W. Cargile is an amazing engineer who’s shown me a lot.  Jim “Moose” Brown is crazy talented.  He’s a triple threat – writer, musician, and producer – he’s probably been the most influential.

FEMMUSIC:  Are women in studio production treated differently than men? How do you see this?

EE: I haven’t personally run into women and men being treated differently in the studio so far.

FEMMUSIC:  What advice do you give to women wanting to go into studio work?

EE: I think you should follow your passion and set your sites on whatever you want.  Don’t let anyone else’s limits limit you.  Figure out a way to get where you want to be, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and don’t be afraid to trust yourself, to believe in yourself.

FEMMUSIC:  What one thing would you change about the music industry?

EE: Wow.  That’s a pretty big question.  I think I’d have to say that I wish everyone in every level of the music industry thought a little more about the whole and not so individualistically.  Especially when it comes to profits.  There’s plenty of money to go around so we can all be fairly compensated for our work and live good lives if everyone is willing to work together and not get greedy.