ALL OF IT: Equalizers – Engineer and Producer Trina Shoemaker

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart (interim hosting by Koosha Navadar)
• Episode: Equalizers: Engineer and Producer Trina Shoemaker
• Release Date: March 26, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators about the what and why of their work.

Introduction

In the final installment of the Women's History Month series, "Equalizers: Women in Music Production," WNYC's All Of It features an in-depth conversation with Trina Shoemaker, a trailblazing producer and engineer renowned for her contributions to the music industry over the past three decades. Hosted by Koosha Navadar in Alison Stewart's absence, the episode delves into Trina's journey, challenges, achievements, and her perspectives on music production.

Early Career and Beginnings in Engineering

Trina Shoemaker recounts her unconventional start in the engineering world:

[02:56] Trina Shoemaker: "My first engineering job was really cleaning recording studios in New Orleans. I got to touch the gear. I got to dust the gear. So for me, that was my first engineering job."

She describes this period as harrowing, emphasizing the isolation and technical challenges of the analog era:

[03:34] Trina Shoemaker: "This was pre-Internet, pre-digital… I was a young woman alone in a strange city… I had no peers. I lived literally hand to mouth for a very long time."

Navigating the complexities of bulky analog equipment without the conveniences of modern digital technology added to the intensity of her early experiences.

Psychological Motivations and Passion for Sound

Trina delves into the psychological factors that drew her to music engineering:

[05:18] Trina Shoemaker: "I bonded with that which came off the vinyl as something I could count on, something I could control… I inadvertently gravitated towards meters because as a little kid I saw pictures of meters in control rooms and I loved my dad…"

Her fascination with sound was intertwined with her father's work in control rooms, fostering a deep-seated interest in the technical aspects of music production from a young age.

Breaking Barriers: Becoming the First Woman to Win a Grammy for Best Engineered Album

In 1999, Trina achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Engineered Album for her work on Sheryl Crow's "The Globe Sessions":

[13:40] Trina Shoemaker: "It was utterly unexpected. Sheryl Crow was already famous… I never thought for a second that it would actually win."

She shares the surreal experience of attending the Grammy Awards, humorously recalling her initial confusion about the award prop:

[15:15] Trina Shoemaker: "I thought the prop they gave you to hold was your Grammy. I tried to walk off with it!"

Trina highlights the scarcity of female engineers during her early career:

[15:35] Trina Shoemaker: "There were very, very few… I was aware only of Peggy Leonard and Susan Rogers. In my sphere… there were zero women engineers."

Her perseverance and dedication paved the way for greater female representation in the field.

Notable Works and Technical Mastery

Orphan Girl by Emmylou Harris (1995): Trina discusses her multifaceted role in this project, encompassing engineering, editing, sequencing, and mastering:

[10:37] Trina Shoemaker: "I'm intensely proud of that entire record. Neil Young came in to sing on it… I remember all of the reverb, EQ, and compression settings."

She emphasizes the manual craftsmanship required before digital automation:

[12:16] Trina Shoemaker: "Everything by hand. Several fader moves and mutes had to happen manually."

Maybe Angels by Sheryl Crow: Trina reflects on a unique sound effect she created for the track:

[17:06] Trina Shoemaker: "I captured that feedback moment… It can never be repeated."

This meticulous attention to detail underscores her expertise and creative ingenuity.

Game I Can't Win by Charlie Crockett (2025): Discussing a recent project, Trina expresses her admiration for the artist and the collaborative process:

[22:09] Trina Shoemaker: "Charlie is just already a legend… He’s just a Southern gentleman… Charlie's happy with it, and that's a huge vote of confidence."

Genre Focus: Americana and Country Music

Trina explains her deep-rooted connection to Americana and country genres, often evolving organically based on her discography:

[19:04] Trina Shoemaker: "I started doing music that now would be called Americana… It was never intentional. People tend to gravitate towards it because that's my history."

Her body of work, including Emmylou Harris's "Wrecking Ball," embodies the essence of Americana, showcasing her natural affinity for the genre.

Personal Insights and Musical Preferences

When asked about her musical tastes, Trina reveals a penchant for 1970s music:

[20:27] Trina Shoemaker: "I almost exclusively listen to music from the 1970s… Especially the early '70s. Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles…"

She attributes her enduring love for this era to its sonic richness and formative influence on her career.

Current Projects and New Ventures

Music Production: Trina remains active in mixing and engineering, recently completing work for the Turnpike Troubadours and collaborating with Trixie Whitley.

[23:55] Trina Shoemaker: "I'm waiting for a gig to come in… If anybody's got a record they need mixed, New York City, if you're listening."

Writing Novels: In a surprising turn, Trina has taken up novel writing, channeling her creative energies into fiction:

[25:19] Trina Shoemaker: "I started writing novels… I've got a novel out on submission now… I found that I love writing."

She draws parallels between her meticulous work in music production and her narrative crafting in writing.

Closing Remarks and Legacy

As the conversation concludes, Trina emphasizes her pride in her body of work and expresses gratitude for her journey:

[27:10] Trina Shoemaker: "Thanks for having me."

Her legacy as a pioneering female engineer continues to inspire future generations in the music production landscape.

Featured Tracks

1. Orphan Girl by Emmylou Harris (1995)
   Highlights Trina's engineering prowess and her hands-on approach during the analog recording era.

2. Maybe Angels by Sheryl Crow
   Showcases a unique sound effect crafted by Trina, highlighting her technical creativity.

3. Game I Can't Win by Charlie Crockett (2025)
   Demonstrates Trina's ongoing collaboration with contemporary artists and her seamless blending of modern and traditional sounds.

4. The Eye by Brandi Carlile
   Concludes the episode with a reflection on Trina's impactful work in music production.

Conclusion

Trina Shoemaker's journey from cleaning studios to becoming a Grammy-winning engineer exemplifies resilience, passion, and groundbreaking achievement in a male-dominated industry. Her insights offer valuable lessons on the intersection of technical skill and creative artistry, making her a quintessential figure in the realm of music production.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:34] "It was harrowing because… I was a young woman alone in a strange city."
• [05:18] "I bonded with that which came off the vinyl as something I could count on, something I could control."
• [13:40] "I never thought for a second that it would actually win."
• [17:06] "It can never be repeated."
• [20:27] "I almost exclusively listen to music from the 1970s…"

Timestamp Highlights:

• 02:45: Introduction of Trina Shoemaker and her accomplishments.
• 03:34: Discussion of the challenges faced as a young female engineer.
• 13:40: Winning the Grammy and its significance.
• 17:06: Creation of a unique sound effect for "Maybe Angels."
• 25:19: Transition into novel writing and new creative ventures.

ALL OF IT continues to celebrate and explore the multifaceted dimensions of culture through conversations with influential creators like Trina Shoemaker, fostering a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our cultural landscape.