Backyard Hero: Chris Guillot of Cherry Sound Records
by Tim Wenger
Chris Guillot has been the main man behind Cherry Sound Studios since its inception in 2005. Guillot and Gus Hoffman launched Cherry Sound Records, based out of the studio, two years ago and have put out releases from Covergeist, Joe Bonner, Red Fox Run, Matthew Quiggley and many others in addition to their own music. Guillot’s studio has become known as a go-to recording spot across multiple genre lines and Guillot does the work for many of the city of Denver’s public service announcements as well. Check out what he has to say about himself and where his business is going in 2015.
CMB: Tell us about the beginning of Cherry Sound, and how you got into the music business.
CG: Well, I grew up with a father, aunt, and uncle who are all musicians. And my godfather was a guy named Norman Petty who happened to be Buddy Holly’s producer. So, I kind of grew up thinking that music as a career was possible. I played music in school, and ended up getting an audio engineering degree from UCD. My first music job (other than playing in bands) was running the music program at the Spot youth Center. That was a true jewel of a place, never to be repeated. I had 7 free studios for people between 14 and 24 years old. All that was required was to take the introductory classes, and to be ready to create.
While I was running the Spot, I started a freelance audio production company. The Lawyer who helped me incorporate my business was a guy named Mike Williams. He was also a musician, and asked me to come listen to some mixes at his studio. I went and checked it out, and did a bit of mixing as a trade to help offset his attorney fee. About a year later, he called me up at 9 in the morning (I didn’t wake up early at that time because the Spot was a night job.)….”Hey Chris, this is Mike Williams. You remember me right?” I’m thinking oh no I owe this guy money or something. “Do you remember my studio and gear? I am looking for someone to help me start a more public recording studio business. Do you know anyone who might be interested in being chief engineer, or general manager?” At this point, I am totally confused. I said “Mike can I call you right back?” I went and splashed water on my face, and my mind was racing thinking of who I might be able to refer to him. I was thinking of everyone but me… my collegues from UCD, my intern. Then it dawned on me. I wanted to do it. So, I nearvously called him back, and said that I wanted to do it. He said… “That’s why I called you.”
We had a few meetings, and then incorporated Cherry Sound LLC about 2 weeks later.
In 2008, I purchased the shares from Mike Williams, and still own it today. Now, Cherry Sound will have been in business for 10 years in June of 2015.
Gus Hoffman Joined the team in 2010. And Gus and I started Cherry Sound Records in 2012.
CMB: What were the biggest challenges in getting a label going and gaining any traction?
CG: One of the biggest challenges has been the risk of investment. The record industry has changed so much in the last decade… even the last few years, that it hard to know how to navigate and choose wisely. It is expensive, and takes a lot of investment of time and energy with no real guarantee of a return. Ultimately we chose to do this because we love music. And, it is often not possible to make the kinds of records that we want to make due to the budgetary and time constraints that most artists have. We realized that to really make the records that we want, we have to make the extra investment ourselves.
The business as a whole is so competitive, and making a break into the national scene is not easy. We have been working with some very cool people, and the momentum seems to be growing. So… we keep going.
CMB: How many releases has Cherry Sound Records put out, and what is in store for next year?
CG: Cherry Sound Records has released the following:
Christopher Guillot “Remember What You Forgot”
Mathew Quiggly “Tapestry of Life”
Red Fox Run “Skeletons”
Covergeist “One More Night”
Halle Tomlinson “Falling Snow”
Isabelle Fries “Christmas Time”
Felix Fast4ward “Gypsy Soul”
Joe Bonner “Current Events”
PTLD “Post Traumatic Love Dissorder”
DJ Cavem “The Harvest” (unofficial, but family, and will be releasing new stuff next year)
Next Year:
AEoni Record – She is a rad folk artist.
Halle Tomlinson will be coming out with a new EP
Chris G -I’ll be coming out with a new EP
Mathew Quiggley will be working on a new record
Dotted Buzz
Bill Mckay solo piano
And, I am working with singles with a couple other Artists
CMB: Covergeist’s single “Whiskey, Weed, and Women” is doing pretty well- how are you going to follow up and keep his name hot?CG: We have a bunch with Covergeist. We are going to release a studio video this month. We actually just finished a Christmas tune that we will be releasing in the next week or so. And, he has at least half an album of new material that we will be working on in the start of the new year.
CMB: In our last talk with you (June 2013), you mentioned that you were not currently looking for more artists to add to your roster. Is this still the case, or are you looking to expand?
CG: We always like to meet new artists. If we think something is a good fit, we will go for it and see what happens.
CMB: Where can we listen to your artists and find more info?
CG: www.cherrysoundrecords.com or find us on Facebook.
Category: Buzzworthy2
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