At the Console

Ian Shaw –
Record Producer/ Recording Engineer

If you’re a Keys music lover, there’s a fair chance that you might have heard one of the records I’ve produced here in Key West over the last 12 years. My name is Ian Shaw and I am thrilled to share my experiences with music.

I moved here from London, England, at Christmas 2011, to try living somewhere warmer. Having visited Key West the year before, I saw that there was an impressive and constantly developing music scene, which I hoped I might become part of and contribute to as well. Prior to that, I’d had a successful 30 year recording career in London.

I began by recording in my grandmother’s attic, which developed into owning and operating a commercial recording studio for 17 years. Along the way I accumulated thousands of hours of studio experience, amassing credits and critical acclaim with many well-known British artists and major record labels. My distinctions include 4 UK number 1 Indie chart singles, a USA Billboard Chart top 5 single, and various radio and critic awards. Recently an album I recorded here in Key West with Nick Heyward, reached number 4 in the UK charts, and number 1 on Florida’s Roots Report album chart.

I produce most of my recordings in Key West at my Warmfuzz studio on the edge of Old Town, and I’m also the house engineer for Ramshead at their Backroom Studio at The Key West Theater.

The first complete album I made in Key West was Bill Blue’s “Mojolation”. I met Bill soon after I arrived and observed one of his legendary Green Parrot sound checks. He hadn’t recorded anything for over 20 years and I spent most of 2012 trying to persuade a reluctant Bill to record with me. Eventually he agreed, and we made “Mojolation” in 2013.

It crackles with stellar Bill vocals and guitar playing (Bill, Matt Backer and Mike McAdam), Richard Crooks on drums in one of his last recordings, and Bill’s raw energy and excitement at recording again. In Blues music terms, it was very successful. The record became my local calling card, and I’ve been super fortunate to have stayed busy ever since.

As I write this in January 2024, I’m recording projects with Gary Hempsey for Conch Town Records, Bubba Lownotes, Chris Rehm, Matt Backer, Juliana MacDowell, Kim Jade for Cacophony Records, Allen Karch, Marjory Lee, Safety Bear, and have just begun recording Brian Roberts. I’ll also be working with Rob Ernest on an album of “Dark Gospel” music (whatever that is!). Finally, I’m close to finishing some unreleased Bill Blue recordings. It’s been great, but emotionally kind of bittersweet to work on those songs.

Thanks for allowing me to share my musical history. In future columns I’ll write in more detail about my studio (for the gear geeks amongst you), the artists and some of the records I’ve made over the last 12 years.