All Of It – Episode: Equalizers: Ariel Lowe on Producing, Mixing, and Mastering

Release Date: March 24, 2025

In this compelling episode of All Of It, hosted by David Fuerst, listeners are introduced to Ariel Lowe, a distinguished producer, mixer, and mastering engineer based in New York. Ariel Lowe stands out as the first Asian American trans person to win a Grammy, honored with the Best Song for Social Change award for her work on Iman Jordan's "Deliver". Additionally, she is the founder of the TransMusic Archive, a nonprofit dedicated to producing and preserving music from trans artists. This episode is part of WNYC’s Women in Music Production series, celebrating Women’s History Month.

Early Beginnings and Passion for Music Production [00:38 – 03:20]

Ariel Lowe opens up about her journey into music production, which began during her childhood with piano lessons (00:38). She reminisces about her piano teacher introducing her to the Yamaha Clavinova keyboard, noting its basic arrangement sequencing functions that allowed her to experiment with various sounds like bass, strings, and horns (01:50). This early exposure sparked her interest in combining different musical elements, leading her to create hip-hop beats using software and sampling vinyl records she purchased inexpensively on eBay during her teenage years. Her hands-on experience with recording diverse artists and bands throughout high school eventually inspired her to pursue music production academically, leading to her studies at SUNY Purchase.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [01:50]: "I was introduced to, oh, I can pull up a bass sound, pull up some string sounds, pull up some horns and kind of craft the arrangement together."

Professional Identity and Influences [03:20 – 05:10]

David Fuerst encourages Ariel to reflect on her professional identity, prompting her to discuss a pivotal internship with the late Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago (04:03). Working in Albini’s studio was a transformative experience, affirming her place in the industry despite Albini's tough public reputation. This internship was crucial in shaping her identity as an engineer and producer. Post-college, her role solidified further while working with the band Stone Cold Fox, transitioning her from part-time to full-time work in music production.

Evolution of Music Production in the Digital Age [05:10 – 06:30]

Ariel Lowe explores the significant changes in music production brought about by technological advancements. She highlights the shift from high-budget studio productions to the rise of bedroom producers, enabled by accessible recording technology. This democratization has made it easier for artists to create impactful music with minimal resources but has also increased the competition, making it harder to stand out (05:33 – 06:30).

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [05:33]: "The accessibility to recording technology has just kind of equalized the playing field."

Creativity Through Limitations [06:30 – 07:27]

Lowe discusses how creative limitations, whether financial or artistic, can foster innovation. She cites examples of major artists like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga who have intentionally stripped back their sound to focus more on songwriting, emphasizing the importance of core musical elements over elaborate productions. This approach allows artists to highlight the essence of their music despite constraints.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [06:55]: "Limiting yourself can help you focus more on the core of it, the songwriting. That is really the essence of it all."

Featured Track: "Look To Youo" by Trace [07:27 – 09:15]

Ariel introduces "Look To Youo" by Trace, a track she produced, co-wrote, mixed, and mastered. She emphasizes the importance of space in the arrangement, describing it as "the most underrated instrument" (07:47). The collaboration with Trace, whom she met through a queer musician circle called Show and Tell, resulted in a song that is both cinematic and stripped down, reflecting Trace's Vietnamese heritage and personal history.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [07:47]: "Space is the most underrated instrument."

Grammy Win and Importance of Representation [11:53 – 14:39]

Ariel recounts the unexpected Grammy win for "Deliver" by Iman Jordan, which earned the Best Song for Social Change award. She reflects on her acceptance speech, where she acknowledged other trans women Grammy winners like Kim Petras, Wendy Carlos, and Jackie Shane D. Smith. Ariel stressed the significance of representation and recognizing the contributions of trans artists in the music industry.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [13:39]: "I wanted to acknowledge the history of trans people in the music industry and the contributions and roles that they've played."

TransMusic Archive and Ongoing Projects [16:10 – 18:18]

Ariel discusses her nonprofit, the TransMusic Archive, which aims to preserve trans music through the production of physical media, particularly vinyl records. She emphasizes the importance of physical media in combating censorship and erasure, positioning the Archive as both a historical record and an artistic endeavor. The first release from the Archive features the band Jennifer’s upcoming record, highlighting the community-centric and preservationist focus of Lowe’s work.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [17:30]: "Our goal is to help trans artists print and press vinyl records in small batches to preserve their legacy."

Collaborations and Future Endeavors [18:25 – 19:56]

The conversation transitions to Lowe’s work with the band Jennifer and their upcoming record release on April 25th. Ariel also touches upon her collaboration with Semler, a queer non-binary Christian artist, showcasing her dedication to supporting diverse voices in music.

Notable Quote:

• Ariel Lowe [18:34]: "We're here to record history and record the times."

Conclusion

Ariel Lowe’s journey from a young pianist to a Grammy-winning producer highlights the profound impact of passion, mentorship, and community in music production. Her work not only elevates diverse voices but also ensures the preservation and accessibility of trans artists' contributions to culture. This episode of All Of It offers an inspiring exploration of the evolving landscape of music production and the crucial role of representation and preservation in shaping cultural narratives.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Ariel Lowe [01:50]: "I was introduced to, oh, I can pull up a bass sound, pull up some string sounds, pull up some horns and kind of craft the arrangement together."
• Ariel Lowe [07:47]: "Space is the most underrated instrument."
• Ariel Lowe [13:39]: "I wanted to acknowledge the history of trans people in the music industry and the contributions and roles that they've played."