Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Sorter.
Hi Mike, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as CashMeOutUnk started as an intern at Plush recording studios once I graduated from Valencia East Campus with an AS in music and sound technology. It was there I met my business/ production partner on day 1. His name is Lew Weinberg. He quickly became one of the head engineers under the tutelage of Mr. B and Tito. That studio became my family and we all grew up but not apart. Ian Gagnon, one of my day 1 homies, went from being a top engineer at Plush recording studios to opening up Polymath Studios with his partner Ayo the Producer. AJ, a top videographer in the city and engineer at Plush recording studios is now the manager of Plush and has many thriving businesses. Lew and I started to gain notoriety when we went to a few writing camps in Atlanta and decided to build and open up our own studio. We’ve continued to work with artists like Dave from the Grave, Moe, Tyla Yaweh (before moving to LA and becoming a musical powerhouse) ClicKlak, Caskey, Rex Evans, Kollison, just to name a few and songwriters like Jay Dontay and A-Beck. I also worked with Derrick Milano before he moved to LA to become the industry’s most sought out writer. We still have a friendship to this day and he’s a big motivator for me personally. I have a few big placements dropping this year that I’m very excited about and should raise my production prices. I’ve started a merch line with Grounded founder at Lester Sanchez. I also work with Lester as he’s an artist/ songwriter with a big following in South America. I’ve often thought about moving to Atlanta because I work with a ton of artists in the city, but I’ve built brotherhood’s with the likes of GBliz at Luxury Lane, Ayo the Producer, S. Dot, Kountdown, The Colleagues not to mention my before mentioned brothers Ian, Lew, and AJ. Ayo the Producer was the first showed all of us it’s possible to make a living as a producer and not have to leave your city.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I basically got divorced for my career path. I was producing music and recording artists before I met my ex wife. She knew this was going to be the road I followed and asked me to quit, but I refused. I thought I solidified faith by the numerous times where we were broke with bills due the next day which would prompt me to sign up for beat battles with a cash prize, win them, they pay the bill the next day; but the money made from production wasn’t consistent enough for her. My mom passed and she gave me divorce papers just two days after her passing. I’ve gone to Atlanta to work with artists without enough money for a hotel or money for gas to come back home but it would always worked out. I’d either have an A&R put me in position to make money (shoutout Lnyce) or networked and met more lasting relationships with producers like Kid Classic and other A&R ‘s
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Music producer
My best work hasn’t come out yet. I’m proud of all my work, but the work I’ve done with ClicKlak is special. He’s the first artist that really believed in me and the first artist I really was a fan of and wanted to work with. What sets me apart from other producers is that I can also engineer and sell merch at my sessions. I’m also one of the few producers in the city to produce in multiple genres
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
What’s worked for me is to bring value to the situation/ relationship that you want to be around. I’ve recorded, mixed, and produced for free to add value. I’ve DJ’d for free. I’ve also found ways to make my situation/ relationship partner money; that always works.
Pricing:
- Beat exclusives: $5,000-$500
- Bucket hats: $30
- Cashier tees: $25
- Cashier sweaters: $40
- Recording time: $65 an hr/ 2hr minimum
Contact Info:
Image Credits
IG
@theskimaskshooter
@ericsummerz
@ajmix_film
