Podcast Title: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (filled in by Koosha Navadar)
Episode: Equalizers: Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar
Release Date: March 25, 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 to Emily Lazar

In this episode of All Of It, host Koosha Navadar welcomes Emily Lazar, a renowned mastering engineer based in Greenwich Village. Emily is celebrated for her work with prominent artists such as Ringo Starr, Vampire Weekend, and Coldplay. Notably, she was the first female mastering engineer nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy for Foo Fighters' Wasting Light and later won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

Koosha Navadar introduces Emily by highlighting her impressive portfolio and groundbreaking achievements in the industry (00:38).

Emily's Career and Achievements

Emily Lazar has mastered thousands of albums, continually pushing the boundaries in a predominantly male industry. Her dedication not only earned her multiple Grammy nominations but also a historic win that set new standards for women in music production. Beyond her technical prowess, Emily founded the nonprofit We Are Moving the Needle, which supports women in the music industry, reflecting her commitment to fostering equity and diversity.

Introduction to Mastering Engineering

Emily shares her journey into mastering engineering, stemming from her early experiences as a singer-songwriter. She explains her fascination with the final sound of records and the artistry behind mastering:

"I was always obsessed with how records sounded and, you know, like, why does one song feel massive and another one just didn't." (04:00)

Her passion led her to deeply educate herself, eventually becoming a tonmeister and founding her own studio, the Lodge, in 1997.

Philosophy on Music and Mastering

Emily discusses her unique approach to mastering, influenced by her experience with synesthesia—a condition where she perceives sounds as colors. This sensory perspective allows her to visualize music, enhancing her ability to create vivid and emotionally resonant masters.

"I'm looking for a way to make the right colors come through, poke through at the right times and in the right way to always emote a feeling." (05:57)

She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in music, striving to ensure that each track conveys the intended emotion clearly and powerfully.

Starting the Lodge Studio

Motivated by a lack of female representation in the industry and a desire for a more artist-friendly environment, Emily founded the Lodge. She contrasts her studio with others, describing typical mastering facilities as sterile and uninviting:

"The other studios ... felt very like a dentist office to me with sterile, bunch of different rooms." (07:45)

At the Lodge, Emily created a space where artists feel comfortable and inspired, allowing creative processes to flourish. She shares anecdotes illustrating the studio's collaborative and flexible nature, ensuring artists can achieve their vision authentically.

The Role of Mastering in Music Production

Emily delves into the technical and artistic aspects of mastering, explaining it as the final polish that ensures a track translates well across all listening systems. She likens it to post-production in video, focusing on equalization, compression, and creating a signature sound for albums.

"It's that final process ... creating a signature sound for the album that makes it sound like a done fabulous piece of music that will translate on any system." (12:13)

She also highlights that excellent mastering can elevate a well-mixed track, although it cannot compensate for fundamental issues in songwriting or production.

Supporting Independent Artists and Nonprofit Efforts

Emily's passion for supporting independent artists led her to establish We Are Moving the Needle in 2021. The nonprofit focuses on bridging the gender gap in music production by providing scholarships and resources to aspiring producers and engineers.

"We empower people ... to drive equity for all the creators in the industry." (20:16)

Since its inception, the organization has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to various premier audio programs and continues to expand its reach through partnerships and new funding opportunities.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Emily Lazar underscores the significance of mastering in the music industry and her role in shaping the sounds that resonate with audiences worldwide. Her dedication to both her craft and fostering a more inclusive industry landscape positions her as a pivotal figure in contemporary music production.

As the conversation wraps up, listeners are treated to a glimpse of Emily's work with Maggie Rogers, exemplifying her ability to blend fresh sounds with timeless quality.

"It's all about storytelling... if somebody listens to something and they got the story and they got the sense and the sensation, then I think it was... mastered." (19:35)

Emily Lazar leaves a lasting impression as an innovator and advocate, making significant strides in both the technical and social realms of music production.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Lazar (05:57): "I'm looking for a way to make the right colors come through, poke through at the right times and in the right way to always emote a feeling."
• Koosha Navadar (14:55): "You've had such a big... impact on the music industry, but it goes. It spans all different kinds of artists."
• Emily Lazar (20:16): "We empower people... it's about everyone leaning into the idea of equity and radically reshaping the future of this industry."

Resources Mentioned:

• We Are Moving the Needle: wearemovingtheneedle.org
• Scholarship Programs: Mix with the Masters, Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Producers, Point Blank Music School, Iowa Music Academy
• Featured Track: "Julie" by Magnet (10:51)
• Featured Single: "Relationships" by Chaim (16:33)

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript segments.