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Recording for “Reasonable Doubt” Before I Even Knew It

Not too long ago, I got a call from Tez, one of Akia’s managers, asking if I could record a song for the TV series Reasonable Doubt, which made the timing even crazier because I had just started watching the show. We locked in a session at Blue Room Studios to recreate “Daydream” by The Wallace Collection, and the whole process was intentional from the start. The energy was smooth, the vocals came together naturally, and everyone in the room knew we were making something special.

Months later, I found out our version didn’t just make it into Season 3, Episode 8. It also landed on the official soundtrack for the show. Hearing something I recorded show up in an episode I’d been watching at home, and then seeing it become part of the soundtrack, was one of those full-circle moments that remind you how wild and rewarding this industry can be. One day you’re enjoying a series, and the next, your work becomes a part of it.

Throwback Thursday: VoyageAtl Interview

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kurt “KurtCurt” Lindsay.

Hi Kurt “KurtCurt”, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How did I start? Well, I don’t come from a musical family or anything. However, I have always been infatuated with music. Always analyzing the sounds in a song. Wondering how this particular sound moved from one ear to the next in my headphones. When I was younger, I remember I happened to stumble across a video with Jermaine Dupri in the studio.

He was explaining his role as a producer and how he works with this person called an engineer that touches a bunch of faders and buttons to make everything sound good. When I saw that, I knew I wanted to be that guy by the board. From then, I went on a journey on how to become an engineer. During that time, there wasn’t much info or as many schools as they are now. I figured live sound was the closest thing to being in the studio so I did that at my church Glad Tidings in the Bronx. Eventually, I did find a school with a music program. While I was in school, I dived into everything music to try to catch up with my peers. I DJ’d interned at Universal for various A&Rs, and even started producing music but after years of just dabbling in all these positions, I later set my focus back on being an engineer. I wanted a fresh start so I moved out of New York and went to the new hot spot for music, Atlanta. I started hitting up studios and just worked my way around different studios around Atlanta.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By no means was it a smooth ride for me. A whole mindset change needed to happen for me to deal with what was to come. I was in a new city. The recording studio industry was changing due to technology. There weren’t any real staff positions in big studios like before, only freelancers. Dealt with studio managers exploiting their engineers. Artists and producers promised to propel my career if I joined their team and did not follow through with that. I was running myself to the ground. While that was going on, my personal life was taking a hit. My mother’s cancer (myeloma) was going in and out of remission. Eventually taking her in January 2020 right before the pandemic. I didn’t take it well so I was in a dark place for a good while. When I noticed myself not improving, I decided to take an engineering break and go to therapy. It helped me with the anxiety and depression I was going through. It renewed me to get back out. I share that because there is still a stigma associated with getting help. Especially for black men so hopefully I can inspire others to go.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Freelance Recording/Mixing Engineer and once in a while, you might catch me producing. I mainly work on R&B and Rap but I’ve worked with plenty of artists from different genres across the country. I have recently been dabbling in audio for Tv and film world as well. I was apart of my cousin Quentin Vercetty’s, Mission Sankofa Awakening Short Film and it Won Best Sci in Vancouver’s Independent Film Festival in 2021. As an engineer, I’ve been behind the scenes on a lot of projects. So I’ve seen what has worked and what hasn’t. So in this stage of my career, I’m respected enough to share my input and provide constructive criticism. Artists appreciate my professionalism and how I’m personable enough to allow them to be free when it’s time to create. It’s important that artists are comfortable while in the recording process because it’s the most vulnerable stage especially if they are trying something new. In the future, I see myself building a studio that’s a safe haven for artists and I’m executive producing their projects like Rick Rubin. All in all, I’m proud through all the hardships and self-doubt that I’ve kept pressing on. I never thought I would be able to call myself a Grammy-nominated Engineer who has worked with 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Babyface, Rotimi, and many more.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The advice I have for someone starting would be 1. Find a mentor! Even if you have to pay. Pay it! The amount of time you save through their experiences, connections, and guidance will be worth it. 2. Take a business/social media course because you will have to hone your entrepreneurial skills and lastly find a self-care routine to deal with the craziness of this industry because there will be times that you will need to disconnect.