What, exactly, is mastering? Is it a potion? A spell? A hoax? The truth is, it's a subtle and precise art, and a key element of quality music production. It is music's "x-factor", its "special sauce".

Despite often being perceived as some kind of magic, mastering is, in fact, very real, as are the people who do it for a living. Case in point, Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning mastering engineer João Carvalho. João is the founder of João Carvalho Mastering, and co-owner of Revolution Recording in Toronto, Canada. Designed by Martin Pilchner, João's mastering studio has been labelled "...the most acoustically perfect mastering room in Canada".

Since the early 2000s, João has built a massive client list, working with much-loved artists such as Sloan, Rose Cousins, Skydiggers, City in Colour, Tanya Tagaq, Donovan Woods, Hayden, Monique Barry, Blue Rodeo, Metric, Serena Ryder, The Tragically Hip, Damhnait Doyle, and Rush...the list goes on and on...

In this episode, João explains his craft, the building of his world class studio, working with the likes of Rose Cousins and Sloan, the utility of a great Weezer track, and why "Claire" by Rheostatics is one of the greatest songs of all time.

Joining the conversation is Music Buddy co-producer Tim Vesely (Rheostatics, The Violet Archers), who has known João since the 90s, and worked with him on many projects over the years.

Music in this episode:

"Music is The Message" - Rheostatics (Here Come the Wolves, 2019)
"Claire" - Rheostatics (Introducing Happiness, 1995)
"Chains" - Rose Cousins (Natural Conclusion, 2017)
"Beverly Hills" - Weezer (Make Believe, 2005)
"The Lines You Amend" - Sloan (One Chord to Another, Deluxe Reissue, 2016)

Support the show

Please help us keep the pod rocking and rolling with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor) ; Tim Vesely (co-producer)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Bluesky: @musicbuddy.bsky.social
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

Multi-award-winning instrumentalist, singer, recording artist and composer, Anne Lindsay is celebrating many things this year: 60 years as a violinist, 50 years as a professional musician, and the launch of her brand new album, Soloworks 2.

Described as "chamber folk music for solo violin and nyckelharpa", Soloworks 2 is dedicated to St Anne’s Anglican Church in Toronto where it was recorded in November 2021, during the global pandemic. In June 2024, St. Anne's suffered a devastating fire, and all that remains of this historic Canadian cultural gem are parts of the exterior walls. Learn more about St. Anne's Church at saintanne.ca.

Anne's epic career has taken her all over the world. She's been a featured performer and session player for numerous artists, such as Blue Rodeo, The Jim Cuddy Band, Skydiggers, John McDermott, Led Zeppelin, Roger Daltrey, The Chieftans, and James Taylor, to name a few. She was also the resident fiddler for The Toronto Maple Leafs and The Lord of the Rings stage production. Needless to say, her career has taken her all over the world, and has nourished her appreciation for all types of music, from rock to folk, from classical to jazz to global music.

THE MUSIC BUDDY SESSION: "CORNELL" by Anne Lindsay
Performed by Anne Lindsay, Tim Vesely, and Jane Gowan
Recorded and mixed by Tim Vesely at The Woodshed Studio, Toronto

More about Anne Lindsay at anne-lindsay.com

All the song samples used in this episode are from Anne Lindsay's album, Soloworks 2 (2024). Used with kind permission.

Songs in order of appearance:
"Votum Mane"
"Xyz"
"Credo"
"The Auger's Tale"
"Carolina Parakeet"
"The Lord's Prayer"
"Down by the Noisy River"
"Forever and Always"
"The Sea in the Sky"

Support the show

Please help us keep the pod rocking and rolling with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor) ; Tim Vesely (co-producer)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Bluesky: @musicbuddy.bsky.social
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.

"Whatever I'm painting, I feel like there's music that finds its way in". — Stewart Jones

For artist, musician, and educator Stewart Jones, music is an integral part of his visual art practice. He's a self-proclaimed "uber fan" of the bands he loves. Not only are many of his works inspired by songs, but his drawings and paintings have also graced album covers and enhanced videos by some of Canada's most beloved musical artists, such as The Tragically Hip, Sarah Harmer, Cuff the Duke, K-os, Justin Rutledge, and The Sadies.

Learn more about Stew at stewartjones.ca

Music in this episode:

"Vultures" - Annelise Noronha (In The Headlights, 2020)

"Cold Snap" - Weeping Tile (Cold Snap, 1995)

"Rearview" - Rheostatics (Here Come The Wolves, 2019)

"The City" - Sarah Harmer (Oh Little Fire, 2010)

"Tell Her What I Said" - The Sadies (Darker Circles, 2010)

"Montreal (Live)" - The Tragically Hip (Saskadelphia - EP, 2021)

"Jack of Diamonds" - Justin Rutledge (The Early Widows, 2010)

"Left and Leaving" - The Weakerthans (Left and Leaving, 2000)

Support the show

Please help us keep the pod rocking and rolling with a donation. Any amount helps!

MUSIC BUDDY IS:
Jane Gowan (host, producer, editor) ; Tim Vesely (co-producer)

The show's theme song, "Human Stuff," is written by Jane Gowan and Tim Vesely, and performed by Jane and Tim, with additional vocals by Steve Wright and Connie Kostiuk

STAY IN TOUCH
Email: jane@musicbuddy.ca
Instagram: @musicbuddypodcast
Facebook: @musicbuddypodcast
Bluesky: @musicbuddy.bsky.social
TikTok: @musicbuddypod

This podcast is brought to you by Morning Run Productions.