Paul McKercher | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Genres | Pop, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, engineer, teacher |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, cello |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Website | paulmckercher |
Paul McKercher is an Australian record producer, audio engineer, sound mixer and multi-instrumentalist. He has received five ARIA Artisan Awards and has produced over 50 albums. McKercher has worked with Australian artists Josh Pyke, Bertie Blackman, Papa vs Pretty, Sarah Blasko, You Am I, Pete Murray, Motor Ace and Eskimo Joe. An avowed analogue fan, he specialises in the use of tape, although he also uses digital technologies.
Biography
Paul McKercher worked at national youth radio station, Triple J, for three years. In 1991 he and fellow audio engineer John Jacobs created the "JJJ News Theme" as a mix of McKercher's guitar playing, a scratch of N.W.A.'s "Fuck tha Police" and the orchestral ABC News theme, "Majestic Fanfare", with the beat based on Prince's "Gett Off". McKercher followed with seven years at ABC radio. He has also worked as a free-lance record producer, engineer and mixer since 1992. For three weeks in 1993 McKercher recorded indie pop group Falling Joys' third studio album Aerial (August 1993). Using three different eight-track machines, at an isolated house in Kangaroo Valley, he captured the band live-in-the-studio.
In late 1997 Kercher was working at Woodstock Studios, Melbourne on pop rock band the Jaynes' extended play Dogbone (April 1998). He has written articles for Audio Technology Magazine. McKercher's techniques were discussed by Zolton Zavos in May 2000 in part one of "Making Tracks" in Tharunka on his work at Megaphon Studios, Petersham. Zavos acknowledged his "wonderful ear" when he worked as a producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist.
In 2010 he addressed the Face the Music Conference. As from December 2016 he was a teacher at SAE Institute, Sydney delivering classes on "how to produce recordings" as well as continuing as a producer, engineer and mixer.
List of technical works
| Year | Artist(s) | Work | Role(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Triple J | "JJJ News Theme" (with John Jacobs) | Mixer, guitar | |
| 1992 | DAZYchains | Daze of Our Lives (EP) | Producer | |
| Glide | Shuffle Off to Buffalo (EP) | Producer | ||
| The Apartments | Drift | Producer, engineer | ||
| 1993 | Clouds | Thunderhead | Producer, remastering | |
| Various artists | In Defence of Animals | Engineer | ||
| Falling Joys | Aerial | Producer | ||
| 1994 | Various artists | Jabberjaw Compilation | Engineer | |
| 1995 | The Apartments | A Life Full of Farewells | Producer, mixer | |
| The Cruel Sea | Three Legged Dog | Producer, engineer, backing vocals | ||
| Tumbleweed | Galactaphonic | Producer, engineer | ||
| 1996 | Magic Dirt | Friends in Danger | Producer, engineer, mixer | |
| Hoodoo Gurus | In Blue Cave | Engineer | ||
| Spiderbait | Ivy and the Big Apples | Producer | ||
| You Am I | Hourly, Daily | Engineer, cello | ||
| Tumbleweed | Return to Earth | Producer | ||
| 1997 | Pollyanna | Hello Halo | Producer, mixer | |
| Screamfeeder | Closing Alaska (EP) | Engineer | ||
| Fini Scad | "Furious" | Producer | ||
| Sidewinder | Tangerine | Producer | ||
| 1998 | The Cruel Sea | Over Easy | Producer | |
| The Jaynes | Dogbone (EP) | Producer | ||
| Primary | Vicious Precious (EP) | Producer | ||
| Hoodoo Gurus | Bite the Bullet | Engineer | ||
| The Superjesus | Sumo | Engineer, mixer | ||
| Cold Chisel | The Last Wave of Summer | Engineer | ||
| 1999 | Screamfeeder | Kitten Licks | Engineer | |
| 2000 | Testeagles | Non Comprehendus | Producer | |
| Augie March | Sunset Studies | Producer, mixer, acoustic guitar | ||
| Midnight Oil | The Real Thing | Engineer | ||
| 2001 | You Am I | Dress Me Slowly | Engineer | |
| Motor Ace | Five Star Laundry | Engineer, mixer | ||
| 2002 | Augie March | Strange Bird | Producer | |
| Monique Brumby | Signal Hill | Producer | ||
| You Am I | Deliverance | Producer | ||
| Knievel | The Name Rings a Bell That Drowns out Your Voice | Cello | ||
| Speedstar | Bruises You Can Touch | Producer | ||
| 2003 | Motor Ace | Shoot This | Engineer, mixer | |
| Pete Murray | Feeler | Producer | ||
| The Anyones | The Anyones | Engineer, mixer | ||
| 2004 | Eskimo Joe | A Song Is a City | Producer, engineer | |
| Butterfly 9 | Butterfly 9 | Mixer | ||
| Hoodoo Gurus | Mach Schau | Engineer | ||
| Little Birdy | BigBigLove | Producer, engineer, mixer | ||
| 2005 | Motor Ace | Animal | Engineer | |
| Jimmy Barnes | Double Happiness | Producer, engineer, mixer | ||
| Daughterboy Jao | Simple Matters | Producer, engineer, mixer, effects, piano, Fender Rhodes |
||
| Gear | The Gear (EP) | Producer, mixer | ||
| Paul Greene | Reset | Producer, engineer | ||
| 2006 | Augie March | Moo, You Bloody Choir | Producer, engineer, mixer | |
| Sarah Blasko | What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have | Engineer | ||
| The Cops | 80 in the Shade | Producer | ||
| 2007 | Something for Kate | The Murmur Years | Engineer | |
| 2008 | Josh Pyke | Chimney's Afire | Producer, engineer, mixer | |
| Melanie Horsnell | Complicated Sweetheart | Producer, mixer, guitar | ||
| Kara Grainger | Grand and Green River | Producer, mixer | ||
| Chasing Bailey | Long Story Short | Producer, mixer | ||
| 2009 | Jen Cloher & the Endless Sea | Hidden Hands | Producer | |
| 2011 | Sierra Fin | Cautionary Tale of the Beautiful Blackout | Producer, engineer, mixer | |
| Papa vs Pretty | United in Isolation | Producer, engineer | ||
| Bayonets for Legs | The Coloured Air (EP) | Mixer | ||
| 2014 | The Vines | Wicked Nature | Producer, mixer | |
| Augie March | Havens Dumb | Mixer | ||
| Andy Bull | Sea of Approval | Engineer, mixer | ||
| 2015 | Art vs. Science | Off the Edge of the Earth and Into Forever, Forever | Engineer, mixer | |
| Sarah Belkner | Humans (EP) | Vocals producer | ||
| 2017 | The Go Set | One Fine Day | Engineer |
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | himself | Engineer of the Year | Won | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 1996 | You Am I – Hourly, Daily | Engineer of the Year | Won | |
| 2001 | Augie March – Sunset Studies | Engineer of the Year | Won | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Pete Murray – Feeler | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Eskimo Joe – A Song Is a City | Engineer of the Year | Won | |
| Producer of the Year | Won | |||
| Pete Murray – "So Beautiful" | Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | Little Birdy – BigBigLove | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Eskimo Joe – "Older Than You" | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Augie March – various tracks on Moo, You Bloody Choir | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2007 | Sarah Blasko – What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Andy Bull – Sea of Approval | Engineer of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Ball Park Music – Weirder & Weirder | Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album | Nominated |
Notes
- ^ For the US market The Anyones (and their 2003 self-titled album) were renamed as the Everyones due to a naming conflict with Los Angeles band Anyone. Consequently AllMusic has the release as The Everyones by the Everyones, in 2004.
References
- ^ a b Nuttall, Lyn. "ABC News Theme (excerpt from The Majestic Fanfare) – Queen's Hall Light Orchestra (1952)". Pop Archives – Sources of Australian Pop Records from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ a b Smith, Lucy (interviewer); McKercher, Paul (interviewee); Jacobs, John (interviewee). "Audio Interview". 30 Years of Triple J: News Theme. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
{{cite web}}:|author1=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Speakers and Artists: Paul McKercher". Song Summit (APRA AMCOS). 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Falling Joys'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 21 August 2004.
- ^ a b c "CD Review: Aerial Falling Joys". The Times. Vol. 89, no. 4, 178. Victor Harbor, SA. 5 November 1993. p. 11. Retrieved 18 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Holmgren, Magnus. "Paul McKercher". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ "Let's Go Out: Raw Summer Energy at the Hotel Crown". The Times. Vol. 93, no. 17. Victor Harbor, SA. 8 January 1998. p. 17. Retrieved 18 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Zavos, Zolton (2 May 2000). "Making Tracks: The Recording Process". Tharunka. Vol. 46, no. 5. New South Wales, Australia. p. 37. Retrieved 19 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia. Note: article includes a photo of the artisan.
- ^ "Speaker: Paul McKercher, Producer/Engineer/Mixer/Musician". Face the Music Conference. 2010. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ staff writers (21 December 2016). "Scenestr of the Day – Paul McKercher". Scenestr. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq "Paul McKercher | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ McFarlane, 'Fini Scad' entry. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Sidewinder (1997). "Tangerine". Polygram. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ McFarlane, 'Primary' entry. Archived from the original on 9 August 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ McFarlane, 'Testeagles' entry. Archived from the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Murray, Pete (2003), Feeler, Sony Music, retrieved 19 October 2020
- ^ "The Anyones are The Everyones". Metropolis Audio Studios. 2003. Archived from the original on 31 August 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Little Birdy (2004), BigBigLove, Eleven/EMI, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ "Entertainment :: Book Review". Air Force News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Greene, Paul (2005), Reset, Paul Greene : ACMEC records [distributor], retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Cops; Mckercher, Paul; Carter, Simon (2006), 80 in the Shade, Inertia Recordings, retrieved 19 October 2020
- ^ Cloher, Jen; Endless Sea (2009), Hidden Hands, Sandcastle Music : MGM, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Papa Vs Pretty (2011), United in Isolation, EMI Music Australia, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Bayonets for Legs (2011), The Coloured Air, Perth, WA: Bayonets for Legs/ Green Media/MGM, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Augie March (2014), Havens Dumb, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Bull, Andy (2014), Sea of Approval, Universal Music Australia, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ Belkner, Sarah (2015), Humans, Free Energy Device Studios, retrieved 31 October 2020
- ^ "Winners by Year 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ O'Grady, Anthony. "The 9th Annual Aria Music Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 16 December 2000. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "Winners by Year 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2001: 15th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2003: 17th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "17th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 22 February 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2020. Note: User may be required to access archived information by selecting 'The History', then 'By Award', 'Producer of the Year' and 'Option Show Nominations'.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2004: 18th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 4 March 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2005: 19th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Winners by Year 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2007: 21st Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ^ "2014 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.