This week, we say goodbye to one of the foundational forces behind The Music Company
(TMC). Kurtis, one of our brilliant sound engineers, is setting off on an exciting new chapter that
will take him to Europe and beyond. Kurtis began his music journey as a student at San Diego State University, where he dove headfirst into music production, experimenting with mixing and mastering tracks for his friends in bands and hip-hop projects.
He joined TMC in January 2023, right as Ted and Jack Pawela took over the space. When
asked about his favorite moments, he spoke about a Beach Break session with The Resinators
and working with Marlon Funaki, whose rise Kurtis has been proud to witness. “Funaki has
really picked up speed since doing his Beach Break Session with us,” he shared. “It was
amazing to work on the production side of that.”
Reflecting on his time at TMC, Kurtis said, “I think I’ve grown as an engineer through working
day in and day out with artists from so many different backgrounds, styles, and genres. I’ve
seen the most growth in my ability to collaborate with people. I’ve definitely found my voice in
sessions, and that’s a really powerful thing to bring into the room.”
His approach to sessions is rooted in clarity, comfort, and momentum. “If someone isn’t as fast
when working with the D.A.W (Digital Audio Workspace) or Outboard gear, it’s important to
create a space where they feel comfortable handing that off so they can focus on the music.”
As he prepares to leave for Europe next week, Kurtis is already deep into the next phase of his
musical journey. He’s been working on his artist project Broken Hill, which is gaining serious
traction. He recently played one of his biggest shows yet in Los Angeles — just a warm-up for a
tour through Mexico and South America this fall. Beyond that, he’s headed to Europe to take on
a music production role working alongside major artists.
Looking back, Kurtis shared, “I’ve grown more musically and professionally in the past two and
a half years at TMC than I have in the past ten. That comes from being in a creative space like
TMC every day. It’s been life-changing.”
Kurtis, thank you for your artistry, passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the artists
and music at The Music Company. We can’t wait to see where you go next!!
