Wes Maebe is from Belgium and he's currently based in London. Wes is as happy in the studio as out in front mixing FOH at gigs, he will work on classical right through to heavy metal. We caught up with him at the lovely Dean Street Studios (originally built by Tony Visconti) to find out more.
Wes initially moved to London to study audio technology in the late '90's returning to work there in 2003. To start Wes divided his time between being a visiting lecturer in Audio Technology at City of Westminster College and building a client base for freelance recording, mixing, mastering and live work, Wes moved to full-time engineering in 2006.
Wes has made live recordings of The Kooks, the Buzzcocks and Cat Stevens, the distinguished classical pianist Alfred Brendel and Wes has worked in some of the loveliest studios in London. In these studios he has recorded and mixed for artists like Alexandra Burke, Elliott Randall, Melanie C, Beverly Knight, Ellie Goulding, One Republic, Praying Mantis and New Model Army. And has had the pleasure of working with many a great producers like Garth Richardson, Elliott Randall, Dave Allen, Chris Kimsey, Paul O’Duffy and Rick Nowels.
Wes has mastered more than 100 albums for everyone from Sex Pistol Glen Matlock to folk heroes Fairport Convention, punk icons Stiff Little Fingers and post-punk icons New Model Army.
Wes has worked as a front of house engineer in over 300 venues and festivals all over Europe, and has toured with artists as varied as Sting, Chaka Khan, Hugh Cornwell, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant, heavy metal rockers Exit 10 and classic blues/rock singer Deborah Bonham, sister of the late-lamented John. He's played John Bonham's gong too!
Special thanks to Lise and everyone at Dean Street for making this possible and of course to the ever brilliant George Shilling for taking time out of his production schedule to ask the questions.
Photo gallery of Wes Maebe pictures that we took at Dean Street Studios
