Mark Rankin
- Mark’s fascination with music began as a child in his dad’s Essex pub, when on ‘live music’ nights, he would stand at the front of the stage for the duration of the bands’ set, staring with great awe at the musicians performing in front of him. One night, at the end of their set, one of the drummers gave him his drum sticks (which he still has) and it was at that moment the seed was planted.
During his teenage years, Acid House exploded and Mark spent his youth going to London orbital parties, promoting club nights and DJ-ing. Essex had a healthy scene at that time and it was at one of these parties that he saw an early performance by The Prodigy. This was inspiration enough for him to pursue his interest in music and he kitted himself out with a sampler and some synths and set about trying to create something himself.
The music that resulted from many hours spent in his bedroom was experimental at best, although still receiving the offer of an album deal from Judge Jules. The most valuable thing that Mark learned from this was that he would much rather be engineering for someone else and channeling his creative flair into helping other people's music, so he enrolled into a sound engineering course at night school, working on building sites during the day to pay his fees.
When Mark emerged from college in 1999, he set about the rite of passage of all aspiring recording engineers and sent his CV to every studio in London. Mistakenly, he had also sent his CV to a mastering studio, The Exchange, who at the time were looking for a runner. As this was the only position he was offered immediately, he accepted it and started his career in studios, after all, many of the great British engineers began at Trident Studios, where vinyl cutting was integral to the training.
Although showing a natural aptitude for cutting records, Mark’s desire to record music was greater than his enjoyment of mastering it, so he made plans to return to his original goal of finding work as a recording engineer. Unwilling to lose Mark, the owner of The Exchange decided that it was time to create a different type of recording studio, and Mark was the man to make it happen. They set about designing and building a studio in the most basic sense of the word. It was to be based on a hybrid of the studios of the 60’s and 70’s and the proven success of The Exchange’s direct signal path approach. What was created was a one-room studio full of vintage equipment with point-to-point signal paths, direct connections and analogue tape.
Having a client list for the mastering studios, which included artists such as Bjork, Oasis, The Chemical Brothers and Depeche Mode, it was inevitable that Mark’s first session was going to be for someone big. This proved to be true, when Basement Jaxx booked the first session in the studio to record live drums for their new album, Kish Kash.
As word spread, demand for the studio and Mark’s techniques grew and with new clients came new requirements. Having initially avoided having a computer in the studio, this now became essential due to the shortage of analogue tape and compatibility with common working practice, so a Pro tools rig was added and, already being fluent in Logic, Mark soon integrated the rig into his system.
Mark was now in the position of not only being an experienced analogue engineer but also due to his history with computer based sequencing, was able to help create the results that a new breed of producers, who embraced the analogue sound but who also wanted the manipulative possibilities of computer recording, were looking for.
Mark’s traditional yet up to date training has led him to work on many interesting and successful projects and forge working relationships with many acclaimed and cutting edge producers. One of the most ambitious projects Mark has engineered was a live album collaboration from experimental musician and producer Kieran Hebden and legendary drummer Steve Reid. The album, titled ‘The Exchange Sessions’ was an improvised album created in one day, which went on to garner critical acclaim. Other notable work Mark has engineered are The No.1 Album 'Bricks And Mortar' by Kate Nash singles and album tracks for Bloc Party produced by Paul Epworth (The Rapture, Maximo Park, The Futureheads), an album for Icelandic songstress Emiliana Torrini ‘Fisherman’s Woman’ produced by Dan Carey (who between them were responsible for Kylie’s number 1 smash hit ‘Slow’), and the Mercury-prize nominated Polar Bear album ‘Held on the Tips of Fingers’.
- Engineer and Producer
- Mark brings with him a unique mix of traditional methods of recording and mixing combined with modern techniques. By learning his craft in a vintage style studio, Mark has become an accomplished engineer which his CV is testament to. His recent projects include The new Bloc Party album, Adems 'Takes' and Primal Scream. Mark is also a regular cohort of leading producer Paul Epworth.
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Alright Darling, Underground Heroes
- Co Prod / Rec / Mix
- Empire Management
- www.myspace.com/undergroundheroes
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Forthcoming Album, Steve Reid
- Mix
- Steve Reid
- www.steve-reid.com
Forthcoming E.P., Acoustic Ladyland
- Rec
- V2
- www.acousticladyland.com
Forthcoming Album, The Rank Deluxe
- Prod / Rec / Mix
- FatCat
- www.rankdeluxe.com
Album, Nick Harrison
- Rec
- A&M
- www.myspace.com/nickharrisonsongs
Forthcoming Album, The Cordwood Draggers
- Rec
- El Toro
- www.cordwooddraggers.com
Forthcoming Single, Cheap Hotel
- Rec
- PIAS/WOS
- www.myspace.com/wearecheaphotel
Bricks and Mortar (Album), Kate Nash
- Rec / Prog
- Fiction
- www.myspace.com/katenashmusic
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Forthcoming Singles, The Bridge Gang
- Rec / Mix
- Brille
- www.thebridgegang.com
Album Demos, The Vitamins
- Rec / Mix
- Red Flag
Polar Bear, Polar Bear
- Co Prod / Rec / Mix
- Babel
- www.polarbearmusic.com
Demo, The Early Years
- Rec / Mix
- Beggars Banquet
- www.theearlyyears.org.uk
Album, Adem
- Rec / Mix
- Domino
- www.adem.tv
Left Hand Right (Forthcoming Single), Assembly Now
- Add Eng
- Kids Records
- www.assemblynow.com
Town Called Hypocrisy (Live Tracks), The Lost Prophets
- Mix
- Visible Noise
- www.lostprophets.com
Forthcoming Album, Sunburned Hand Of The Man
- Rec / Mix
- Own Label
- www.sunburnedhandoftheman.com
Saltwater (Seb Rochford Remix), Acoustic Ladyland
- Mix / Co Prod
- V2
- www.acousticladyland.com
Skinny Grin (Album Tracks), Acoustic Ladyland
- Mix
- V2
- www.acousticladyland.com
- iTunes
Album, Led Bib
- Rec/Mix
- Babel
- www.ledbib.com
Forthcoming Album, Fridge
- Rec/Mix
- Own Label
- www.brainwashed.com/fridge
Album Tracks, Patrick & Eugene
- Rec / Mix
- Tummy Touch
Blue Sky Grey (Single), The Bridge Gang
- Rec / Mix
- Brille
- www.thebridgegang.com
Dior Homme A/WO6 Catwalk Show Tracks, The Littl'ans
- Rec
- Christian Dior
- www.myspace.com/littlans
70mph (Album), Xper.Xr's
- Mix
- 70mph
Live at the Scala (Album), Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid
- Rec / Mix
- Domino
- www.kieranhebdenandstevereid.com
Between Me and The Wardrobe (Album), Gwyneth Herbert
- Rec / Mix
- Own Label
- www.gwynethherbert.com
Album, Fulborn Teversham
- Mix/Add Eng
- Pickled Egg
- www.polarbearmusic.com/html/Fulborn%20Teversham.html
Tracks, Cuban Drums
- Eng
- Soul Jazz
Forthcoming Album Tracks, A Girl Called Eddy
- Rec / Mix
- TBC
- www.agirlcallededdy.com
Demos, Mona
- Rec
- Blue Mountain
Forthcoming Album Tracks, Max Ricther
- Rec
- FatCat
- www.maxrichter.com
Forthcoming Album Tracks, Circuits
- Rec / Mix
- Touch Tones
Forthcoming Album Tracks, The Littl'ans
- Rec
- Own Label
- www.myspace.com/littlans
The Rank Deluxe (EP), The Rank Deluxe
- Rec/Mix
- Fat Cat
- www.rankdeluxe.com
- iTunes
A Starlit Shindig With..., The Cordwood Draggers
- Mix
- El Toro
- www.cordwooddraggers.com
Forthcoming Album Tracks, Steve Kotey
- Rec/Mix
- Bear Ent
Forthcoming Single, Jason Bye
- Rec/Mix
- TBC
I Us We You (Album), The Mutts
- Rec/Mix
- Fat Cat
Demo, Yeti
- Rec / Mix
- Moshi Moshi
Tongues (Album), Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid
- Rec / Mix
- Domino
- www.kieranhebdenandstevereid.com
Secondhand (Album), The Sugarbeans
- Rec/Mix
- Own Label
- www.myspace.com/sugarbeansmusic
Single, Clocks
- Rec
- Island
- http://www.myspace.com/clocks
Album Tracks, Boy Cried Wolf
- Rec
- Unreleased
- www.myspace.com/aboycriedwolf
Stand Up (Single), Charlotte Field
- Rec/Mix
- Fat Cat
Why Can't I Make You High, Dani Siciliano
- Rec
- K7
- www.dani-siciliano.com
Album Tracks, Fried
- Rec
- Sony BMG
- www.myspace.com/friedmusic
Technicrats, Summertime (Singles), Shy Child
- Add Rec/Mix
- 679 / Good & Evil
- www.shychild.com
Album Tracks, Patrick & Eugene
- Rec
- Tummy Touch
Neutrino, Pangs of Guilt (Singles), The Bridge Gang
- Rec / Mix
- Brille
- www.thebridgegang.com
Loyalty (Album), Tony Smith
- Rec / Mix
- Jazz Izit
- www.tonysmith.com
Mean Son of a Gun, Honalula Rock 'n' Roll (Singles), Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
- Rec / Mix
- Sunday Best
- www.myspace.com/kittydaisyandlewis
Album Tracks, Rising 5's
- Rec/Mix
- Outer
Album Tracks, Steve Kotey
- Rec
- Bear Ents.
Album Tracks, The Littl'ans
- Rec
- Own Label
- www.myspace.com/littlans
Album Tracks, The Orichalc Phase
- Rec
- DC Recordings
- www.myspace.com/theorichalcphase
Cutting at Nothing (Single), Kalev
- Mix / Add Rec
- Road Movie Revival
- www.myspace.com/kalevband
A Starlit Shindig With... (Album), The Cordwood Draggers
- Rec/Mix
- El Toro
- www.cordwooddraggers.com
It Hurts To See You Dance So Well (Demo), The Pipettes
- Rec/Mix
- Memphis Industries
- www.thepipettes.co.uk
Single, Circuits
- Rec/Mix
- Touch Tones
Album, Maximo Rospinal Espinosa
- Mix
- Soul Jazz
Poor Innocent Boys (Single), Cazals
- Rec/Mix
- 1234 Records
Single, Keith
- Rec/Mix
- EMI
Princess Carwash (Single), Queen Adreena
- Rec/Mix
- One Little Indian
- www.myspace.com/queenadreena
Sprit Walk (Album), Steve Reid
- Rec/Mix
- Soul Jazz
- www.steve-reid.com
Album Tracks, Scanners
- Rec
- Dim Mak Records
- www.myspace.com/scanners
East Rain (Album), Shri
- Mix
- Drum The Bass
- www.shri.co.uk
We Carnival (Single and EP), Vatican DC
- Mix
- Red Flag Records
- www.vaticandc.com
The Exchange Sessions Vol 1 & 2 (Albums), Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid
- Rec/Mix
- Domino
- www.kieranhebdenandstevereid.com
- iTunes
Kick (Album Vocals), White Rose Movement
- Rec
- Independiente
- www.whiterosemovement.co.uk
Power Ballads (Album Tracks), London Elektricity
- Rec
- Hospital Records
- www.myspace.com/londonelektricity
Meantime (Remix), Echo Channel/Futureheads
- Co Prod / Rec / Mix
- 679
- www.thefutureheads.co.uk
- Meantime (Echochannel Remix)
Sneakers Delight, Roy Ayers
- Rec/Mix
- Nuphonic
- www.royayers.com
Held On The Tips Of Fingers (Album Tracks), Polar Bear
- Rec
- Babel
- www.polarbearmusic.com
Single, Senser
- Rec
- Unreleased
- www.senser.co.uk
Neggo (Single), Giddy Motors
- Rec/Mix
- FatCat
- www.giddymotors.com
Doin' It After Dark (Album), Groove Armada
- Rec
- Ragbull
- www.groovearmada.com
Girls (Single), The Prodigy
- Edit
- XL Recordings
- www.theprodigy.com
From The Bubble To The Box (Album Tracks), Solid State Revival
- Rec
- Sunday Best
- www.myspace.com/solidstaterevivaluk
Singles, The Mutts
- Rec
- Fat Cat
- www.themutts.com
Fisherman's Woman (Album), Emiliana Torrini
- Rec
- Rough Trade
- www.emilianatorrini.com
- iTunes
Little Thoughts (Single), Bloc Party
- Rec
- Wichita
- www.blocparty.com
Banquet (Single), Bloc Party
- Rec
- Wichita
- www.blocparty.com
- iTunes
The Futureheads (Album Tracks), The Futureheads
- Rec
- 679
- www.thefutureheads.co.uk
- iTunes
Turner Prize Nominee, Fiona Banner
- Rec
- Unreleased
- www.fionabanner.com
Kish Kash (Drums for Album), Basement Jaxx
- Rec
- XL Recordings
- www.basementjaxx.co.uk
Fourtet Remixes, Foals
- Rec / Mix
- Transgressive
- www.myspace.com/foals
Demo, Friendly Fires
- Rec / Mix
- Polydor
- www.myspace.com/friendlyfires
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Live Set 2007 Tour, Groove Armada
- Rec
- Sony BMG
- www.groovearmada.com
Demos, Ben Esser
- Rec/Prg
- Son Management
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Demos, The Rifles
- Prod/Rec/Mix
- Warner/679
Takes, Adem
- Rec/Mix
- Domino Records
Album Tracks, Brouhaha
- Rec
- Empire Management
Album Tracks, Helsinki (Drew McConnell)
- Rec / Mix
- Unsigned
Beautiful Future, Primal Scream
- Rec
- B-Unique
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Consequences, Various Artists
- Rec/Prg
- Crisis Charity
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Album Tracks, Primary 1
- Rec/Prg
- Atlantic Records
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Single 'One Of Those Days', Underground Heroes & Tinchy Stryder
- Rec/Mix
- Empire Management
Mini Album 'Ringers', Fourtet
- Mix
- Domino Records
Intimacy - Album Tracks, Bloc Party
- Eng
- Wichita Records
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Album Tracks, VV Brown
- Add Eng
- Island Records
Album Tracks, Raygun And The Adgitators
- Rec
- Sony BMG
Album Tracks, Sam Sparro
- Eng/Prg
- Island Records
Paul Epworth
- I first worked with Paul on the first Bloc Party and Futureheads albums and have been learning from him ever since.
Paul is one of those rare people who is an amazing producer be it guitar bands, pop or electronic beats and never fails to amaze with his huge knowledge of every kind of music.
He also has incredible energy in the studio and manages to inspire people to do great things.
Arrows Of Eros, The Golden Silvers
- Prod/Mix
- Young and Lost
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