RETURN TO DUST – A CONVERSATION WITH PRODUCER JIM KAUFMAN

By Ralph Beauchamp

Return To Dust is a four piece hard rock ensemble out of LA that is about to make some huge noise. We interviewed Matty Bielawski (Vocals/Guitar) and Graham Stanush (Vocals/Bass) last May when they released their forceful single “Black Road”. “Black Road” is a pulverizing monster that perfectly captures their edgy grunge inspired brazen sound. The track totally blew us away. In the studio, RTD have worked with gutsy producer, Jim Kaufman.

Besides Bielawski and Stanush, the band is comprised of Sebastian Gonzalez (Lead Guitar) and new drummer London Hudson. Return To Dust will be releasing their debut self-titled full length on May 3rd. The album delivers 10 pulverizing gems that are sonically ruthless. The band’s songwriting and musicianship is flaming hot. RTD have surrendered an impressive record that will instantly vault them to the upper tiers of today’s musical landscape.

Jim Kaufman is a practitioner 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 fostering and tailoring the songs and sound of the artist he is in the studio with. His studio is filled with a unique blend of vintage and modern gear that is the backbone to his personal and in-depth production style. Jim has worked with a slew of illustrious artists including Helmet, Atlas Genius, Everclear and Anti-Flag.

Kaufman sits down with AMP to discuss all things Return 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 recording school. He asked me if he could have a few friends over. In walks Matty and Graham.

They then pick up a couple of my acoustic guitars and begin to play. I asked them what they were doing and they responded that they were both going to college. I then asked if they were in a band and when they send no, I just blurted out “move to LA and I’ll make you a record.” And sure enough they did!

They got here around March of 2020, right before the pandemic hit. The whole city shut down and they got jobs waiting tables and working in grocery stores. They had rented a studio apartment in Inglewood and were sending me work tapes of about 300 songs. All in a six month period.

When Covid broke, they rented a house in West Covina where they began jamming in the garage, One day, there was a knock on the garage door and there was a 15 year old kid standing there with his mother. He said he played guitar and wondered if he could jam with them. It turned out to Sebastian who is now 18 and the band’s PRS endorsed lead guitarist. One never knows what the future brings.

AMP: Do you feel your production enhanced their musical style?

JIM: Yeah! 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’s unique about an artist and to push them to be more of themselves. So, I didn’t give them their sound but helped to clarify and intensify it.

AMP: Great segue into the next question. What do you feel makes Return To Dust unique?

JIM: You don’t see many 18-20 year olds that can play and write like these kids. Also, another unique facet of the band is that they have two lead singers. They equally carry the load. Matty sings some songs while Graham others. But since they have grown up together, they have an almost brotherly connection when they harmonize. In addition, they are amazing songwriters and now that Seb and London are officially in the band, it’s a totally extraordinary unit.

AMP: What’s the band like in the studio?

JIM: RTD is great to work with. My production style is to try to record as much as possible at the same time. I try to get them into the right headspace since we record drums, bass and rhythm guitar all at once. Then we overdub the lead guitars. So, with Return To Dust, it’s all about capturing great performances. We also do a lot of pre-production in order to find the right groove for each song. In reality, they are a force to be reckoned with and I just try to lead them in the right direction.

AMP: Return To Dust has a strong neo-grunge groove. I’ve noticed quite a few young bands spouting a similar style. Do you feel that grunge is making a resurgence?

JIM: Absolutely! I was the target demographic for the original grunge movement. I was around 12 years old when Alice In Chains released Dirt. ALso, when Soundgarden and Pearl Jam dropped their early albums. I know grunge like it’s the back of my hand. It’s my favorite form of music.

It’s amazing to witness this resurgence developing so naturally. Music is cyclical and it’s great to see these kids have truly embraced this genre of music. They aren’t posers because they definitely embody the true grunge spirit. In my opinion, RTD is the leader of the pack. I believe a new grunge scene will shortly crack wide open and I’m excited!

AMP: RTD”s new album releases May 3rd. Do you feel there is a song on the record that will turn heads?

JIM: “Belly Up” seem to be the new single the band will be pushing but I love all the songs. To 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! I believe RTD is going to be the biggest band in the world. With the addition of London as their full time drummer, the band is totally whole. They had a revolving door full of drummers but London truly completes the band. I’ve seen him play with the guys at their rehearsal space and it’s magical.

AMP: More on a personal note, You are both a multi-instrumentalist and a producer. Is there a different dynamic between the two?

JIM: Definitely! I feel the multi-instrumentalist was part of my former life. I now surround myself with musicians that are so much better than me that I rarely play anymore. But when it comes to the production chair, with that history, I bring a certain awareness to the table. I’ve been in bands, been on tour and written a bunch of songs and I use that experience to follow my gut in the studio. So my musician side helps me help them. I bring a musicality to my production that allows me to enhance their studio performances.

AMP: You’ve worked with a bevy of major artists. Any cool stories?

JIM: Well, I just did the new Helmet album entitled Left. Helmet is about to embark on a big North American tour. When I first moved to California, I was Charlie Clouser’s (NIN) assistant. I was the runner during the recording of Helmet’s Size Matters. I did all the dirty work back then like going out to get sandwiches but I did get to mix some of their drum tracks. So going full circle and being able to produce their new album is really a cool moment for me, Being able to work in the studio with bands like Helmet and Everclear allows me the opportunity to develop new artists like Return 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 in my studio and I told them to quit college.

AMP: What’s next for the band and yourself?

JIM: Return To Dust is about to go on tour. There will announcements coming out soon. We are currently scoping some label partners and in that aspect there seems to be an explosion happening.

As to myself, I just moved into my brand new studio and I’m making records. I’m going to discover new talent and continue working with all the “legacy” bands that I get to produce music with. And raise my kids.

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