Don Was | Broken Record (Hosted by Rick Rubin)

Early Days

Don Was recounts his early days in the music industry, highlighting his transition from musician to producer. He describes attending the Recording Institute of America in Detroit, which, despite its flawed curriculum, opened doors for him at United Sound and a small eight-track studio owned by Jack Tan 1. Don's first major project was with his band Was (Not Was), where he experimented with various musical influences from Detroit's vibrant scene 1. He explains, "We were just trying to create a little microcosm of the music we grew up with," emphasizing the creative freedom that came with limited resources 1.

   

Legendary Collabs

Working with legendary artists like Bonnie Raitt and Carly Simon marked significant milestones in Don's career. Meeting Bonnie Raitt was a turning point, leading to the Grammy-winning album "Nick of Time," which transformed his professional life 2. He reflects, "When you think everything's going wrong, maybe it's really going right," highlighting the unexpected nature of success 2. His collaboration with Carly Simon was equally impactful, as she supported him during a challenging personal time and helped him transition to New York 3.

   

Studio Challenges

Don's journey was not without its challenges, as illustrated by his experiences with studio mishaps and artistic experimentation. He recounts a stressful incident where he left crucial tapes in a New York taxi, leading to a frantic weekend of problem-solving 4. Despite such setbacks, Don embraced creative risks, as demonstrated by a spontaneous recording session that resulted in a surprisingly successful track 5. "It was a great lesson in not overthinking stuff and dropping self-consciousness," he notes, underscoring the value of embracing the unexpected in the creative process 5.