Joe Costa on SoundBetter

Producer, songwriter, musician and mixing engineer based in Nashville, TN and Visalia, CA. Credits with artists such as: Luke Combs, Allie Colleen, Joe & Martina, Taylor Ray Holbrook, Dustin Huff and more.

Producer, songwriter, singer, multi instrumentalist and mix engineer, Joe Costa is sought after collaborator in Nashville, TN and Central, CA.

Joe moved to Nashville, TN over a decade ago to further his career as an artist, songwriter and producer. Since being there, Joe has turned his skills into his full time job with "Joe & Martina" his duo with wife, Martina Costa, and collaborating with artists such as Luke Combs, Allie Colleen, Taylor Ray Holbrook, Shane Dawson Band, Dustin Huff and more.

With the ability to play multiple instruments, engineer, write and sing Joe can quite literally do everything for your next single, but is also well connected with the session player world and loves bringing those amazing musicians in on projects. Joe owns a home studio near Nashville as well as a small studio in his hometown Visalia, CA. He also works out of multiple commercial studios in Nashville if the project requires it. Joe is mostly known for working in Country/Americana, but is also comfortable working on rock, pop rock, anything with mostly real instruments.

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Interview with Joe Costa

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I co-produced the album "Stones" by Allie Colleen. We tracked it at the AMAZING Allentown Studio in Nashville, TN and only had a few weeks to track, edit, mix and master. It was the most insane few weeks of my life, but we met the goal and made a really really amazing album.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Producing/Mixing 2 singles for a CA Country Duo, 2 singles for a CA Country Band, 1 indie rock single and always chipping away at my own music as well.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm not sure to be honest, but Grady Saxman is a beast of drummer/producer. Cole Edmonson is a great electric guitarist.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: BOTH
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to do my best work, communicate, and get things done in a timely manner.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love making artists musical visions happen. That's the best part of what I do.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's easy and quick
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What kind of sound are you going for? Who are some of your favorite sounding songs out now? what about of all time?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just hit me up. Let's chat. I'm an honest guy, if I'm not right for a project I'll let you know up front.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Martin CEO 7 guitar, My Musicman Bass, My Ludwig Drums, Lauten Atlantis, RME Interface
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been performing music since high school. Played drums in various bands in my late teens early twenties, all while also writing songs on guitar, bass and any other instrument I could get my hands on. Eventually I grew up, started a duo with my wife, and moved to Nashville. In Nashville I've written thousands of songs and have worked in some of the best studios you can imagine alongside some of my heros. I've learned a lot the last 10 years and am excited to continue to learn and grow my catalog.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, vintagey modern, organic, rocking at times
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd love to write and record with Chris Stapleton. No explanation needed really, he's an insane talent and it would be a lot of fun to capture that.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: If it sounds good it is good. Don't overthink.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Country is my number one. Aside from production/engineering I'm a country artist/songwriter myself and have lived and worked in Nashville, TN the last decade.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to the artist and having the ability to let go of my own ideas if they aren't in the artist's vision.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I think since I play so many instruments, I have a unique perspective on music, which also give me the ability to communicate really well with artists, songwriters, and musicians because I've been in their spot. I'm also a very kind and encouraging person. I try make recording comfortable, fun and stress free!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If it's a mixing project the client sends me the Pro Tools file or Audio Files zeroed out on the grid. I'll have a first draft mix to the client within a week. From there we can discuss revisions. Full Productions: Every project is different: Some I will assemble a band of sessions players, book out a studio in Nashville and we'll get most of the track recorded together right there on the spot. Take that session and add overdubs and ear candy, record and edit all lead and background vocals, mix and master. Other projects I'll start by making a scratch track to a metronome and build a song out of that. Layering myself and other musicians until the song sounds the way the artist is going for. After the music bed is good, we'll do all the vocals, mix and master.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Main Rig: Interface: RME UCX II A/D: BURL B2 Bomber Mics: Lauten Eden, Lauten Atlantis, Shure KSM44a, Slate VMS, Rode NT5s, Sm7b and many more Mic Pres: CAPI VP28 (2), Phoenix Audio DRS-1R, Cranborne Camden, Warm Audio WA412 (4 Ch) OUTBOARD: Empirical Labs Distressor, Elysia Mpressor 500, Trident 80B EQ, Audioscape 76D Monitors: Focal Solo6, Yamaha HS-8 PLUGINS: UAD Spark, SSL, Slate, Metric Halo, Soothe 2, Sonorworks, Plugin Alliance
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jay Joyce, Dave Cobb, Vance Powell, Billy Decker, Johnny Garcia, Grady Saxman, Sol Philcox, Brent Mason.. the list goes on and on.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most my work is full production singles for country artists. Every song and artist are different, so my approach is very fluid. Some projects require hiring session players, some projects don't. Here lately I've also been mixing my own productions as well as outside projects.