An interview with Jim Dwyer, owner of Salty Dog Studio and member of the band Salty Dogs, 1240 S.E. Jetty Ave., Warrenton.

The studio built into a storage unit in Warrenton offers opportunities to bands, musicians and vocalists wishing to make a name in the music industry. It is also the base for the traveling band Salty Dogs. The studio is available by appointment only. To schedule a recording session or book the band, call (503) 440-6406 or e-mail (saltydogband@yahoo.com)

What would you like readers to know about your recording studio?

“I started this as a practice studio for our band. As we acquired more and more equipment, I started doing recording sessions for friends. Now we can do a CD demo for someone getting started. Artists can record here or at any location. We specialize in field work. I have a digital field recorder and can do video with surround sound. I will go to any location and make a six song demo that will be done right and look good. I can set up at the Liberty Theater and I can record at recitals and events of any size. I also offer public address sytem rental. If more equipment is needed, I have connections in Portland to bring equipment I don’t have. I can also offer players for a recording session. If a soloist needs accompaniment by a three-or four-piece band I can provide that.”

Tell us about your equipment.

“I have a digital field recorder by the Zoom Corp. It has 160 virtual channel ability and 24 real channels. I can also do optical. I have instruments from all over the world. I have a 40-drum Latin section, Celtic drums and a 15-piece concert drum set. I have a lot of world percussion.” I also have a $3,700 digital publishing machine. It can produce and label 100 CDs at a time. I am inadvertently becoming a label. I am getting into reproducing artists CDs. I can design the CD labels and they are laser burned in. Everything needs to look good. We can also research songs and write out songs for people. I have more than 300 music books of all kinds.”

What do you charge for a recording session?

“I can do a high quality CD master, six song demo, live on location or here at the studio for $300.

Tell us about your band.

“Lorell Stoneman, Kevin Yost and myself are partners in the band. We play up, happy music. We are very versatile. We can do dinner or dance music. We can bring other players in for a bigger band, and we also offer talented guest musicians to complement larger performances and community activities and functions. We feature a melodic balance of traditional, folk, old classic rock ‘n’ roll and blues of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. We offer different styles of entertainment: quiet, acoustic dinner or coffee-house style, amplified outdoor music or moderately amplified instruments and vocals or full-blown large stage cabinet speakers and digitally mixed configurations. We also do island music. We are known for being on time, providing a full show, taking short breaks and having volume flexibility and fun.”

What do you charge for a gig?

“We charge $200 for a three-hour gig. If we have to travel far we add a little to cover gas. We go all up and down the coast and river. We are vigorously pursuing other venues. We would like to do long-term dinner engagements.”

How many recordings do you do and how often does the band perform?

“I have had the studio for four years now, and have recorded around 100 people. The studio is too new to have much volume yet. The three of us play at least three times a week, and we perform year round. Sometimes we perform seven days a week. We performed 240 times last year.”