David Tyo, a Saratoga, NY-based musician, music producer, recording and mixing engineer, certified/licensed audio engineering educator, Recording Academy GRAMMYS Voting Member, and entrepreneur, has been making waves in the music industry for over two decades. Dave’s endless desire to learn, develop, and grow as a musician never ceases to amaze. With a plethora of interesting facts and accomplishments under his belt, including writing songs for Wakin’ Up with the Wolf on PYX106 early on to being nominated for multiple Eddie’s Awards (Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Award), past and present, Dave is a true force to be reckoned with in the music world. To gain a deeper understanding of Dave’s experiences, perspectives, and contributions to the music industry, let’s explore some engaging interview questions that will shed light on his remarkable journey and accomplishments. 

Amy Klemme: Music and you formed a bond early on, around the age of 5, and you seem to have wasted no time since in creating, recording, and reaching new melodic peaks. When I first met you in 2005, you were a guitarist in the band, Bipolar, but I know that wasn’t your first band. It was around that time that I learned you were one of the masterminds behind the funny parodies I heard on the Pyx106 Morning show, Waking up with the Wolf. These were hilarious, music well written and I was in awe that it came out of your brain. That show may no longer exist but since then, you have evolved that craft into writing music for TV Shows. What are some of your favorite shows you have written music for that our readers may recognize?

Dave Tyo: One that comes to mind is a little ditty I wrote for that Gordon Ramsay show, 24 Hours to Hell and Back, on FOX. He was upset about finding a dead mouse in a toaster, and my profound musical contribution to the scene helped to drive home his angst over discovering the deceased rodent. It’s probably my proudest moment as a creative musician 🙂

Amy: 2009 to 2022 you worked for the New School of Radio and Television in Albany NY as music producer, eventually becoming their Recording Arts Department Chair. What were some of your most memorable moments from your teaching days?

Dave: Even though some of my students went on to work on Broadway, travel the world with famous artists, run sound at renowned venues, and even blow up on YouTube, the most meaningful thing I did with my students is to be someone they can count on. Teaching how a mic works or what the parameters on an EQ do was just day-to-day stuff, and don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but one moment that immediately comes to mind is when one of my guys pulled me aside and just broke down over a personal situation he had going on at home. In that young man’s life, I was lucky enough to be the guy he could trust, and that’s the kind of thing that showed me what I did was important.

Amy: Another early memory I have of you was the countless hours we would spend watching you record music in Studio F which was located above your family’s Garage on Saratoga Lake. Seeing what Studio F has become today is simply impressive. Not only for its beauty and efficiency but also because you built it from the ground up! Can you tell us about the building process of Studio F and when it became your full-time endeavor?

Dave: Yes, it’s true, after the contractors laid the foundation and framed the building, I did just about everything else almost entirely on my own including the electrical, insulation, A/V wiring, HVAC, decoupling/soundproofing, multiple layers of floated drywall (the vaulted ceiling weighs three tons!), flooring, plumbing, trim, acoustic treatments, etc. ad nauseam.

I even built my studio desk… I could certainly understand how someone would see me doing all that and think I’m nuts, and they’re probably right, but from my view, I wanted something that cost a ton of money, but I don’t have a ton of money, so my solution was to do it my damn self.

Special thank you goes to Craig Taylor for teaching me how to do electrical, Brian Pitt for helping me put up the *three* layers of ⅝” ceiling drywall, Marty Tyo for teaching me about framing and HVAC, and of course, my beloved Kristen for her immeasurable patience.

Amy: What’s next for you and Studio F? Any upcoming projects or goals you’re excited about?

Dave: A project we juuuuuuust wrapped is a new tune called “So Am I”, written by fellow Eddies-award-nominated artist Art LaFleur. It comes out on the 14th, and ALL of the proceeds from the downloads for the first 60 days goes to local musician Keri Alonzo as she battles cancer. So many talented musicians came together to make this record happen, and I have the distinct honor of being the guy who produced it.

Amy: How do you balance your passion for music, and your beautiful family with the demands of running a successful business like Studio F?

Dave: At the risk of sounding presumptuous, I don’t even try to make that balance. I live by the mantra, “Do what you want!” It has been a longtime goal of mine to own a home and work as a music producer out of a studio on my property, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Sure, it took sacrifice and a lot of backbreaking labor, but that’s what I wanted, so it didn’t feel like work. Thankfully for my personal life outside of music, it’s also a goal of mine to love with all of my heart and spend my days deepening a meaningful relationship, and the fact that I found a partner for that journey is one of life’s many blessings.

Amy: Recording Academy GRAMMYS Voting Member. What does that title mean in laments terms and have you been to a Grammys Award Ceremony?

Dave: It means just that! I am one of the people who votes on the GRAMMYS. I went to the GRAMMYS a few years ago, and one of the artists who got my vote was Chris Stapleton for his song “Broken Halos”. When he won, I gave him a big ol’ slap of congratulations on his back, and he said, “thanks man!” We’re basically besties now. That last part may be a little exaggerated 🙂

Amy: Proctors in Schenectady NY has recently released the nominations for their 6th Annual Eddie’s Awards. We see you and John Harmon of simplemachine are nominated for Best Music Video of the Year for your video “Ingloria.” Can you tell us about the inspiration behind that song/video and what it means to you to be nominated this year?

Dave: To be recognized with an Eddies nomination is an honor. While we’re serious about our craft, it’s also true that we’re not trying to be anything other than a couple of friends who enjoy making music – a “studio band”, if you will. We’re not averse to performing live and being a “real” band (we’ve done that a million times since we were kids), but that’s not what we want to do now. So, for a couple of dudes just selfishly making the music we feel like making, being recognized with such a prestigious nomination is a wonderful surprise!

As far as the meaning behind the song and video, I’ll leave that up to the interpretation of the listener/viewer. I didn’t write the lyrics, and the video took on more than one meaning by the time we were done with it.

Amy: This isn’t the first time you’ve been up for Eddies award, as you produced Art LaFleur’s song “I’ve Come to Realize” which too is up for this year’s Record of the Year. In 2020, your work with Erin Harkes song “New Year’s Day” was recognized and your heart-wrenching but beautiful song “Long Way Home” was once again up for “Record of the Year.” Can you tell us about working with other artists and what it means to you to have your work recognized in this way?

Dave: Producing records is one of my favorite things to do – and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’m for hire!

My superpower in the studio is a combination of being a multi-instrumentalist, a writer, an empath, a seasoned technical expert, and a relentlessly curious student of life, but one skill in particular that helps in every situation is simple musical communication. Whether you’re a songwriter, drummer, violinist, harmony singer, or didgeridooer, I know where you’re coming from, and I speak your language.

One of the most common pieces of feedback I get from my clients is that they can’t believe how easy and fast it is.

I thoroughly enjoy solving problems my clients don’t even know they have.

Amy: Lastly, as a seasoned musician and producer, what advice do you have for aspiring musicians and producers looking to make a name for themselves in the industry?

Dave: Embrace failing rapidly and trying again.