297: Connor Daniel (Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan) On Modern Rock Production, Working At A High-End Studio, And Making Killer Records On A Bedroom Setup

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Episode show notes:

In this episode, we’re joined by Connor Daniel - an LA-based writer, producer, and engineer, working closely with John Feldmann, while also producing and mixing records from his own home studio.

Connor has worked on projects involving artists like Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and collaborations featuring Travis Barker - but what makes this conversation especially relevant is that Connor still self-records his own band, socialghosts, and produces much of his work outside of big studios.

This episode is a deep, honest conversation about:

• What actually matters in modern rock and pop production
• Why song and taste beat gear every time
• How to navigate self-recording without overthinking gear and setups
• When polished production helps - and when raw honesty wins
• How to collaborate better as a producer, engineer, or artist

No hype. No dogma. Just real-world insight from someone working at the highest level and in a bedroom studio.

Topics We Cover

• Connor’s unexpected path from artist to producer/engineer
• Learning production by necessity
• Getting hired at a major studio via Instagram
• What really makes assistants stand out in pro environments
• Why producing your own band is harder than producing others
• Templates, workflows, and staying organized without killing creativity
• Mixing in untreated rooms (and how to make it work)
• Translation vs. perfection when checking mixes
• Genre-blending, modern rock trends, and authenticity
• Why listeners don’t care about your gear choices
• The psychology of collaboration and producer communication
• When to trust instinct - and when to just try the idea

Listen / Watch

• Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all major platforms
• YouTube: Full video version available

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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/297

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If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com