Audeze hangs with producer Psymun

Simon Christensen wearing Audeze MM-500 headphones in his studio

Audeze Artist Profile

Psymun

Psymun is a producer from Minneapolis, who has worked with the likes of FKA Twigs, Bon Iver, Santigold, Corbin, Travis Scott, Young Thug and many others. With a background in rock, hip hop, and electronica, his versatility is his greatest strength.
 

In His Own Words

 
"I bring them everywhere. When I'm not familiar with the sound of a room I'm working in, the headphones give me really great perspective."
-Psymun
Audeze MM-500 headphones on the studio table

Notable Works by Psymun

Can you pick a few highlights from your work that you're especially proud of?

I’m very proud of my work on Bon Iver’s i,i álbum. I worked on the songs “Hey Ma” and “Naeem.”

How would you define your main role on most of your projects these days?

I like overseeing projects by rounding out the production, making the whole thing feel like one body of work. I find myself caring a lot about the overall sonic space that a project will exist in.

What was some favorite music growing up and how has that evolved?

My parents always loved music growing up, so I became obsessed at a young age. I loved Jimi Hendrix and started playing guitar around age 6. My taste expanded and I got into a lot of other stuff, like hip hop, punk, electronic, etc.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life?

When I met my guy Noah Goldstein, I started to see production through a different lens. I learned a lot about seeing the bigger picture of a project, and even an artist’s entire career.

Can you describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and how you may have overcome it?

In the past, I’ve found that shifting mediums very helpful. For example, I’ll work on something in photoshop, or write in a journal; basically anything to put myself in a different headspace and then re-approach the work that I’m frustrated with.

What is your current favorite instrument, effect, or piece of gear?

I’ve always loved the Montreal Assembly Count To Five pedal. It always felt like my secret weapon, and funny enough, more recently I’ve been turning to another Montreal Assembly pedal: the 856 for Zellersasn. I’m also loving the Moog Matriarch these days. I like synths that don’t save patches, for some reason starting from scratch on a synth is inspiring to me.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path?

Remain curious. Curiosity keeps you experimenting and experimenting always produces the best ideas.

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you use them in your workflow?

I’ve been working in headphones forever. I typically use them to check mixes, especially if I’m in a room that I’m not familiar with. It can be really helpful if you’re contributing to something that’s being worked on on the main speakers in a studio, and you want to perfect your parts before recording them in/sending them to the main computer. I also end up working in headphones a lot while traveling.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work? Can you tell us what you've been working on with them recently?

The headphones have really helped me in sessions. I bring them everywhere. When I'm not familiar with the sound of a room I'm working in, the headphones give me really great perspective. I've mostly been working on my own stuff lately, and they've been so helpful.

Artists may receive discounted Audeze product in exchange for interviews and opinions. Audeze does not solicit specific outcomes as part of any artist agreement.