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Meet A Maker: Fen Rotstein

Fen Rotstein

[Above: A photo of Fen Rotstein (she/her)]
Photo Credit: Sheri Furneaux

Meet Fen Rotstein, a Boston-based engineer, producer, and musician.

Q: Can you describe your journey as a music maker?

A: I started out like most people, making tracks on garageband as a young teen for internet friends, and kept evolving my sound from there, starting small and slowly accessing better software, equipment, and spaces as online connections began to materialize into album releases, shows, and tours. Even with a barebones production and recording setup, the creative communities I had access to made for an incredibly supportive, progressive, open-minded, and sonically diverse environment that encouraged me to find solutions to bad spaces, cheap equipment, and tough deadlines. After moving to Boston in 2015, I found myself surrounded by much more professional studio and equipment options, with The Record Co. playing a major role in my production and engineering work at the time. I started my transition around the same time, and while it was a struggle to get a foothold at first, I eventually found good collaborators, friends, and clients that allowed me to build a new network in a new city. It may be a bit corny, but looking back on it, I really feel that my journey is more of a story about the people who encouraged and uplifted me. As my musical resources and network continue to expand, I’m trying to follow the creative spirit of those earlier times by continuing to explore a wide range of sounds and styles, while pushing myself to find inventive ways to add a flair of pop accessibility to my own sound, and the sounds of my collaborators.

Q: How long have you known TRC?

A: It’s been about 6 years since I sat in on my first session at the old spot, and even as a newcomer to Boston, I was immediately aware that this was a killer resource. I did a lot of production and co-engineering work at TRC during my time at Berklee, in particular with some very talented friends – people like Napat Khaopaisarn and Seph D’abate. A lot of good memories of endless comping and dubbing sessions in these studios, for sure. I hope to see this org continue to pursue its goal of creating a studio that everyone has access to, that everyone can use, regardless of style, connections, or budget. And leading from this idea, I think it’s fairly important to mention: young musicians in Boston have a steep hill to climb, especially those belonging to the marginalized communities that are already under attack from a city with a longstanding and crushing history of racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, ableism, and lgbt-phobia. So to see TRC continue to evolve gives me hope that this easy-to-access, supportive recording environment and community will continue to inspire and uplift marginalized creators, helping those who need it the most to find a creative home and find solid footing in Boston’s various music scenes.

Q: How’s it been going in the new TRC studios?

A: I’ve been producing and engineering for several years now, and TRC stands out as one of the first real professional spaces I had access to upon moving to Boston in 2015. To see how things have only gotten better, and more financially accessible, is really such a gift. The remodel is quite the improvement, and the spirit of the old studios is far from lost. As a multi-instrumentalist often engineering her own sessions both at home and in the studio, flexibility of movement, availability of equipment, and abundance of time are essential, essentials that TRC absolutely provides. The available equipment, from boutique mics to Warm [Audio] rackmount gear, is a gift in and of itself, particularly given the ever-dropping price of studio time. TRC has always been a place I felt I could work without as much judgement as other studios in Boston, a place I could be Latina, Jewish, trans, a woman, and feel a greater sense of ease, at least enough to focus on my projects and clients. A place where not being the most experienced person in the room wasn’t a death sentence, and where constraints due to time and money were not so looming. Needless to say, especially given its ever-increasing accessibility, I intend to spend even more time at the studios moving forward.

Q: Where can we find some of your more recent projects?

A: You can find links to my social media here: linktr.ee/ohfenfen
I’m most active on Instagram, Twitter, and SoundCloud.

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