VIC STEFFENS – INDUSTRY ICON
With over 40 years experience as an owner, engineer, producer, studio musician and label executive, Vic Steffens‘ entire life has revolved around creativity. He is currently the owner of the Horizon Music Group in West Haven, Ct.
Early on, Steffens led several successful New England based groups. This included the incredible Scratch Band which also featured G.E. Smith (Hall and Oats) and his sister Christine Ohlman (SNL). Through the years he amassed numerous session appearances with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Donovan.
As an engineer, Steffens adeptly handled the board working with such amazing artists as Bobby Brown and Sly Stone. His most important contribution to the music industry is his production expertise. Creamery Station, The Breakfast, Frank Viele and Carole Sylvan are just a few of the influential artists that Steffens has recently produced.
For over 30 year the Horizon Music Group has been a mainstay in New England music scene. HMG is comprised of two entities. The Horizon Recording Studio is a two room, state of the art, recording facility. Even though the studio is equipped to record any genre of music, it specializes in rock, blues, gospel and americana. HMG Recordings is the label division.
Rick Demko and Franklin Scott are also members of the HMG team. Demko is a producer/engineer whose NeuroTronix Records was previously showcased in AMP. Franklin Scott is the resident hip-hop and r&b specialist.
Vic Steffens was kind enough to grace AMP with this extensive interview.
AMP: What inspired you to start a career in the music industry?
STEFFENS: That’s easy….The Beatles. My sis found an early photo of them in LIFE magazine getting their MBEs from the Queen. She chased down all their info and we were both hooked.
AMP: How did you begin your quest to become a producer/engineer?
STEFFENS: Well, for a long time I had a very successful New England based group called The Scratch Band. Very popular…made money…but at some point I felt that it was the wrong direction for me. I was living in Hamden, Ct. and had built a small home studio. I started working with artists and a friend sent me a client. It was a Norwegian man and woman who had written some country songs. Nice folks and we became quite friendly. I eventually realized that the man was rather well off.
After recording one day I asked him if he would be interested in investing in a record label…mine of course. His response was “not really”. He further said “but I own a house that has a recording studio. Would you be interested in becoming a partner in running that?”. It turns out he had brought Ace Frehley’s (Kiss) house in Wilton Ct. Ace had spent $400,000 adding a studio to the house. It was in ill repair but still gorgeous. I jumped at the chance and over the next few months we renovated and equipped the place. Our first client was Sly Stone and I ran that session. Right after that we had producer Mike Chapman with Lita Ford. We were off and running.
AMP: What are some the positives and negatives of being a producer?
STEFFENS: It can be a very rewarding career but also very risky. I have had several acts that came very close to major success only to have the management try to push me away once the acts started making noise. I have often felt that the better you do the job, the more the sharks find you. Still, working with artists in a production role builts fantastic personal relationships. That’s the plus side.
AMP: What preparations would you recommend the artist accomplish prior to entering the studio?
STEFFENS: You have to be fussy about everything. It starts with the song. Most artists think their songs are better than they really are. You really have to work the lyrics. Many artists pen their songs in the wrong key for their singing voices or don’t have the right tempo.
Once that is done, the artist needs to really practice. The rhythm section has to realize what they are doing and make sure the parts lock together. The instruments need to be in tip-top shape, in tune and well set up. Basically, everything needs to be scrutinized. The studio is not the place to be experimenting unless you’re super well funded.
AMP: The producer is an integral component of the recording process. What are the producer’s main goals and objectives when working with an artist?
STEFFENS: The first thing is to mold the artist’s sound. It’s really important to focus on what the artist does best. Then try to minimize the artist’s weaknesses. If you can’t sing harmony…don’t try to be Crosby, Stills and Nash. After that, it’s critical for the producer to create a comfortable studio environment for the artist to work in. Next, the producer has to capture the best performance of the song the artist can give. Once that is finished, the producer and the artist add overdubs, capture vocals and solos. Then when all the tracking is done the producer has to create a great mix or hire a exceptional mixing engineer.
AMP: Horizon has been an important ingredient in the Ct. music scene. What were several of your more memorable recording sessions?
STEFFENS: So many! Of course the Sly stuff. Harry Connick Jr’s “Love Wins” session to benefit the Newtown families was very emotional. Kevin Monroe and Devotion featuring the great Edwin Hawkins was another one. Any of the Breakfast records, particularly the last which reached number one one the Relix chart. Also, Creamery Station that did the same. Might Purple. Gargantua Soul. Last year I tracked Joe Boucherd’s latest CD with Mickey Curry on drums. I’m sure i am leaving many out.
AMP: What’s in store for Horizon and yourself in the near future?
STEFFENS: Been super busy. The new Carole Sylvan record is one of the best things done here. We are going to promote it like crazy. Singer/songwriter Hawkins French has been dropping singles and his first album will come out when the Covid restrictions are lifted. New Creamery Station. Always something going on.
AMP wants to thank Steffens for his monumental contributions to the world of music and for his mentorship to young and upcoming artists. He is a true icon.
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