Though we were doing really well as a band, my interest in recording and production was developing massively. I had recorded and co-produced a lot of the bands songs and was starting to acquire a lot of equipment. While in the studio I’d absorb as much as possible, picking up techniques and trying them out later on my own. I found myself getting more interested in recording and production and less interested in touring and performing. I was regularly being approached by other musicians and songwriters to work on their material, helping with arrangements, layering up tracks and recording demos.
When WOMO finally split, I was immersed in other projects and though disappointing for the band, personally, I had developed all the necessary skills to help me move into a studio based role.
I moved to Manchester to begin working with my long time friend, bass player John Rigby and dedicated the next couple of years to honing my production skills. We built a Pro Tools studio and embarked on a number of recording projects working with many local bands and singer/songwriters, including “The North” and “Feverfew”.
Content in my work and with more financial stability, I was able to return home to see my family much more regularly. It was on one of these trips that I began to think about how I could return home and work within the up and coming music industry here. It seemed like a challenge. I packed up all my studio gear and I moved to Belfast.
