In conversation with Mississauga’s Kevin Dietz, winner of the 2021 Mississauga Music Awards Producer Of The Year

1. What does winning Producer Of The Year mean to you?
It means a lot! It always feels good to be recognized by your peers. I’m very grateful to be able to work in music full-time, and I’m grateful to the artists who have put their trust in me to help bring their music to life.

2. You've worked with a plethora of successful artists; which one would you like to work with next and why?
I would love to work with a band like PVRIS: great melodies, high energy, and incorporating a lot of cool production techniques and ear candy. I also love heavy music, so I’d love to sink my teeth into something along the lines of Gojira, Deftones, Every Time I Die, etc.

3. How do you mentally prepare prior to working with an artist/band?
Preparation is key. I need to be well prepared; I don’t like going into a project without a solid plan in place. Talking to the artist about their vision, discussing the recording/creative process, doing pre-production ahead of time, getting familiar with the artist’s songs…all are very important in being prepared for a project and making the most of the time we have available.

4. Which project has been the most rewarding for you and why?
I’ve been fortunate to be part of a lot of great projects and albums, but one of the most rewarding was my role as recording engineer on The Glorious Sons album A War On Everything, which won a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. It was a great experience overall, the energy and vibe of that recording session is something that will always stand out to me.

5. Knowing what you know today, is there anything you'd change on your journey?
Many things! Mostly related to learning about and applying knowledge on the business side of things. There’s a whole word outside of the creative process that is important to understand, especially if you’re an artist.

6. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring producers?
The craft of music production is a lifelong pursuit, so always keep learning, always keep your ears and your mind open. Everything you learn will expand your toolbox and your musical vocabulary. Being able to play an instrument is a huge asset, or at the very least having some understanding of music theory. Lastly, there’s no substitute for experience, so get out there and start creating.