Today, the popular Local Spins series showcases recordings that influenced respected Grand Rapids producer and engineer Al McAvoy. Listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Inspirational Classics: Albums that influenced Al McAvoy.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians and sound engineers can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for veteran Grand Rapids sound engineer Al McAvoy. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks, including a current favorite.
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Sound engineer Al McAvoy says his start in music involved playing drums, guitars and keyboards. But it was his decision to purchase some equipment to record his early efforts that really sent him on his way to a career in the field.
“I bought some recording equipment to record some songs. That spiraled to working for others,” he says.
Al McAvoy (Photo/Local Spins)
Soon, he was working in studios helping other musicians get the best out of their instruments and themselves. By his early 20s he was doing live sound as well, from clubs such as the original Intersection to large multi-day events.
“I was working with different bands doing recording, live sound, festivals, making records. For a number of years, I worked with The Verve Pipe on the road. I worked with a lot of ’80s bands, did front of house sound, worked at 20 Monroe Live (now GLC Live at 20 Monroe).”
From there it was on to corporate gigs, where McAvoy provides live sound for conventions and other such events, mixing concerts, business meetings, designing audio presentations and more. During the pandemic, he did a number of streaming events, including for the Grand Rapids Symphony. He still has his own home studio, Atomic Sound, but says these days it’s mostly for mixing and mastering.
As for his own musical adventures? He was pleased to find out that his early ’90s band, The Agency, had finally sold its masters to a company, after trying unsuccessfully for a number of years to get a label interested. Nevertheless, he’s mostly retired from playing in public. “I play mainly for myself. My skill set is more to show people in the studio,” he says.
1. Asia, “Asia” (1990) – It had a couple hits – “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell.” I remember having the LP. I played it all the time. On MTV, “Heat of the Moment,” was on nonstop. The record was top to bottom overall great, an unusual experience. I decided to stay in music. I thought if these guys can do it, maybe I can.
Listen: “Heat of the Moment”
2. Duran Duran, “Rio” (1982) – These guys are incorporating some different rhythms and sounds. They’re blazing a trail getting away from REO and Journey and Foreigner. Pop rock has entered the scene. Through synthesizers, they’re changing, turning a corner of rock. There was a shift from regular rock ‘n’ roll into a different style. It was still rock but with a twist on the pop side. It was different than Joan Jett or the Romantics.
Listen: “Rio”
3. Depeche Mode, “Music for the Masses” (1987) – Completing that journey. OK, this is very different. How the hell are these guys doing this? Samples, tempo-based rhythm samples – it’s even further away from the rock ‘n’ roll lane. Songs like “Strangelove,” “Behind the Wheel,” that was a huge one. Depeche Mode was very different. I think they remained that way. They’re still true to that sound. It’s a very non-traditional rock band. … It’s hard to have this conversation and not mention The Cure or (Pink Floyd’s) “The Division Bell” or “Foreigner 4.” They’re all bands I grew up listening to.
Listen: “Strangelove”
Currently Loving: Tame Impala, “Currents” (2015) – It’s great, different stuff, (like) the use of the bass line, great solid rhythms. The bass lines are really interesting. The singer has a different approach than I’ve seen a lot of singers do. It’s an elegant soft sound against those funky bass lines. That’s sound guy stuff.
Listen: “Let It Happen”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Al McAvoy’s Playlist on Spotify
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