In this episode of Hard House History, Paul sits down with Grammy Award–winning engineer and producer Dom Morley, a man whose fingerprints are on some of the most iconic records of the modern era. From the raw energy of UB40 and Ocean Colour Scene to working alongside Amy Winehouse, Sting, and Adele, Dom shares the extraordinary story of how a kid from the UK, armed with a four-track recorder, ended up in the studio with legends.
Dom talks about his humble beginnings recording his teenage band on cassette, the persistence that landed him his first unpaid studio job, and how his “I'll work for nothing and make good tea" attitude led to a career spanning decades. He reflects on those early days assisting at Metropolis Studios in London, including surreal moments engineering sessions for Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger.
The episode dives deep into the creation of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, where Dom's engineering earned him a Grammy. He reveals what it was like capturing Amy's once-in-a-generation voice, the chaos and brilliance of those sessions, and the life-changing luck that comes from "putting yourself in a position to score.”
Paul and Dom also explore stories from working with Sting and The Police in Tuscany, the enduring impact of "Valerie," and why creativity is a muscle that must be constantly exercised. Dom shares details about his latest projects, including his mixing consultancy, his new app MultiBand, and his upcoming book on creativity.
It's an inspiring conversation about talent, timing, and tenacity, and how hard work behind the glass can change the course of music history.
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