Jon Ireland is a Music Producer/Composer signed with Warner Bros. Records. He writes and records music for television, film, commercials, and radio. He is also a solo artist poised to release a new project in the coming months.
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
I have always been interested in music. I started writing when I was 15-16 years old but didn't get serious about it until I started working on my own studio when I was 19 years old.
What drove you to choose your career path?
I always knew that I wanted to make music. I have never wanted to do anything else.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
I met a friend of a friend who was a producer for Warner Bros. Records so you could say I got my job through networking. I took music classes at Mesa Community College and got a degree. I took classes in audio engineering and sound design. What I learned in college helped me build my own studio,
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
I spend most of my time writing and recording for Warner Bros. Records or working on my own music. There is some down time when contracts are being negotiated so I use that time write and record my own demos. I have a new project that I'll be releasing in 1-2 months.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
People think that, as a work for hire songwriter and music producer, that you are removed from the creative process. Although I get assignments requesting a specific genre and style, I get to be creative. It is a collaborative process. They'll send me suggestions like more drums or something and I go back and work on it. It’s up to me to make the song happen.
What are your average work hours?
I have a lot of freedom in terms of hours. It depends on how much work I need to get done on any given day. Sometimes I am in my studio from the time I get to late at night and sometimes I'll only work for an hour to mix a track.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
There are no shortcuts. If it’s something you want, you have to give 110%. I have been working at this for years. It just can't be a hobby.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
Everyone has their own approach. For example, I work with one guy named Dylan and he is a minimalist. I am over-the-top. He'll use maybe 5 tracks on a song and I will use 50-60. Yeah, I am the opposite of a minimalist
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
That's hard to say. I am under contract as work for hire so it depends on the amount paid for each song bought and royalties. I am registered through BMI so I get royalties quarterly. I just wrote four songs and sold all four so that's good. Sometimes you don't know how a song will be used until you hear it in a commercial, on a movie soundtrack, or hear it on the radio. How the song is used determines the royalties.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Give it 110% if it’s something you really want. Keep working at it until you succeed.
Jon Ireland Photo: Halle Rogers