LSS Student Profile: Dominic Rippel

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Dominic Rippel Links: www.microbang.com www.soundcloud.com/microbang www.myspace.com/gullwingclassic (previous band) LSS Courses:  MP151 Structure, Form & Creativity MP324 Advanced Mixing Featured Track: Nostalgia  Nostalgia - Dominic Rippel (Full Track) by London School of Sound Q&A With Dominic: -    Where are you from?   I was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where my mother's family is based.  Lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico until the age of 5.  Grew up in Connecticut, where my father was born and raised, until the age of 18, when I went off to the University of Colorado , Boulder.  After 3 years there, I transferred to the New School for Social Research in NYC, and lived/worked there for 15 years, before moving to London in 2008.  I'd consider myself a New Yorker at this point. -    What is the best city for music in the world? There are many many....  Brooklyn, New York, London, Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, Manchester, Glasgow, Berlin, Paris, Toronto, and Seattle. -    When did you first start making music?   My life in music started around age 6, singing in concert choirs, which I continued until age 17.  At the age of 11 I had my first electric guitar, and was probably writing silly songs by the age of 15.  I really started getting into recording in my mid to late 20's. -    What is your favourite/most used DAW?  At the moment it is Logic Pro. This is because is it fast and easy, and the included plugins help generate a suite of customisable instruments and sounds that require a sizeable investment from the other big DAWs.  I started with Protools 10 years ago and still use it, though now I can achieve faster results with Logic.  I also enjoy using Reason 6 for my more electronic pursuits. -    Who are your favourite artists and who inspired you the most to pursue your music studies and career?   Short list off the top of my head...  Velvet Underground, Dinosaur Jr., Treepeople, Built to Spill, Ramones, No Age, Pixies, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, Bowie, Flaming Lips, Eddy Grant, Primal Scream, Johnny Cash,  Beach Boys, Bob Marley, ACDC, Simon & Garfunkel, Eagles, Wings, Queen, Sea & Cake, Rolling Stones, Shuggie Otis, Shellac, Stone Roses, My Bloody Valentine, Autechre, Bon Iver, Elliot Smith, etc... -    How long have you been studying music production? Which courses at LSS did you take?  I've been self learning for more than 15 years and just started taking courses this year to learn the multitude of things that get overlooked when you are working by and for yourself....  Last spring was Structure, Form & Creativity.  Next spring is Advanced Mixing.  -    Why did you pick LSS?   It seemed to be the most straight forward and lean out of all the programs on offer.  There is no filler in the curriculum...  It is all very applicable to producing music. -    How do you feel your learning at LSS has contributed to your musical development?   It's really taught me how to use the tools I have, properly and more confidently. -    What tune do you simply wish you wrote?   Wish you were here.  Simple and great. -    What happened after your time at LSS?   I've built a recording studio from the ground up, in Dalston, London.  I just began to produce and record new material that I hope will get released in some shape or form. -    What advice would you give prospective students interested in starting studying music or music production?   Try to bring something new to the equation.  Owning a bunch of gear and learning how to use it according to the manual is one thing... but bringing inspired ideas and well crafted performances is whole other bag of beans.

LSS students and ex-students are available for collaborations, internship, work opportunities. Contact them directly using the links provided above or contact info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk if you have specific requirements.