Howlaround Productions specialise is professional audio, lighting, event management and touring services. We got a chance to talk to Howlaround Production’s founder and manager, Liam Clifford.
1 How old are you and what bands have you worked with?
Liam: I’m 19 and have worked with bands such as New Empire, The Never Ever, Nine Sons Of Dan, Because They Can, Lord, The Take. As well as on a variety of musicals, charity events and corporate functions.
2 When did you start sound engineering? and what prompted this career choice?
L: I started at the age of 15, after a failed band i decided to try my hand at working behind the scenes in sound and lighting. I then went to a private university and studied in my school holidays so that i could learn the basics. From there i volunteered for other sound engineers to learn the ropes. I now run my own production company called Howlaround Productions.
3 First band you worked with?
L: I can’t actually remember the first band i worked with, but it would have been a small local band in Sydney.
4 Favorite/funniest memory when you were on the job?
L: One of the funniest moments on the job was when i was actually doing lighting for a musical, and during the final number one of the girls had a ‘wardrobe malfunction’.
5 What is your favorite song you’ve worked with?
L: One of my favorite songs to do sound for live would have to be Glow (follow me) by The Never Ever, i love the energy behind the song. I sometimes forget I’m actually working and start to dance around and sing a long to the song!
6 If you could be a sound engineer for any band, what which song/band would it be?
L: This is really hard to choose as there is so many bands i would love to work with. I’m a huge fan of a band called Mariana’s Trench so i would have to say doing sound for them would be amazing. They have so much happening within their music, so it would be a great challenge to mix them really well and i always love a good challenge.
7 Scariest experience when you’re on the job?
L: I’ve been lucky enough to not have to many scary experiences on the job as i usually get to work with some pretty amazing people. One of the scariest would have to be when we had a drunk person attempt to swing on a lighting truss and almost knock it over, luckily a few of us got there in time to stop it from falling over.
8 What is the one thing you hate the most when you’re working?
L: The thing i hate the most would be the lack of sleep, but it’s something i’ve learnt to deal with and it’s not too much of an issue anymore.
9 The weirdest thing you’ve experienced while on tour? (can be fan related or not)
L: This is a tough one, i’d say when i was on tour up in Armidale and there was a group of 60 year old men drunk, dancing to songs they’ve probably never heard in their life! haha
11 If you weren’t a sound engineer, what would you want to be doing with your life?
L: If i wasn’t a sound engineer i would have to say i’d be doing something in commerce or marketing as it’s an area that’s always fascinated me.
12 A saying or motto which you feel best describes how you live your life?
L: “Don’t be scared to ask, the worst you can get is a no and you’re no worse off”
and
“Don’t live life with regrets”
13 Do you have a ritual you do before a show/tour? if so what is it?
L: I don’t really have any odd or strange rituals, before a tour i often buy a bunch of new clothes haha, and before a show i usually to a last check of my sound desk to make sure everything is switched on and everything is in order.
14 Must have’s when you’re doing a show?
L: Gaffe Tape, Sharpie, Headphones, Electrical Tape
15 Has any band ever requested something weird for their song on stage?
L: So far nothing out of the ordinary!
16 One of your biggest inspirations? and why are they an inspiration to you?
L: One of my biggest inspirations would be a guy by the name of Brent Rawling better known as the Front Of House sound engineer for Kings Of Leon. He does an amazing job on their sound, to be honest i’ve never been to a concert that’s sounded better. Such an amazing sound engineer.
17 Any advice for people interested in your field of expertise? (the cold hard truth)
L: Haha the cold hard truth? Work your ass off and network like crazy. In this industry not only do you have to be good at what you do and work extremely hard, you also need to network and get to know people. A lot of this industry is who you know and who you’re friends with. My other bit of advice would to try and get as much as experience with as many people as you possibly can.
Check out Howlaround Production: here
Follow him on twitter here: @Liamfashion
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