John Trevthan - Owner, Engineer, Technical Director

As a musician, John has worked with such artists as Trent Reznor & Chris Vrenna (Nine Inch Nails), Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Roy Vogt (Stan Lassiter Group) and many others. He was featured in Keyboard magazine's "Discoveries" column November, 1988 and has recently released three albums of his original electronic music. Additionally, he has provided music and sound design for several video and film projects.

John's technical background is extensive. For ten years he held the position of Technical Director at Sixteenth Avenue Sound, a world-class recording studio on Music Row in Nashville, TN. During this time he worked with many well known artists such as Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, Ziggy Marley, Bon Jovi, Queensryche, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Jars Of Clay, etc. Over the past several years John has expanded his technical expertise to include computer, internet and website technologies.

A native of northwestern Pennsylvania, John worked in various electronic design and repair positions for several music-related firms before relocating to Nashville, TN in 1987. Beginning at Sixteenth Avenue Sound in 1989 he attended the Solid State Logic training course in Begbroke England. (SSL is one of the leading manufacturers of high end studio mixing consoles in the world.) While in the U.K. John visited several studios including Abbey Road, George Martin's AIR Studios and Real World, where he met Peter Gabriel.

John has always kept his musical and technical interests in close company with his business interests. During the two year period 1999-2000 he and his wife Brenda owned Antarctica Media, a multifunctional facility featuring a high end ProTools recording studio, CD mastering suite, graphic & web design department, digital art gallery and an online independent label. Antarctica Media hosted several interesting projects including the Robert Fripp Q&A session held in the studio space January 16th, 2000. During this time John mastered releases by well known artists such as The Band, Jim Lauderdale, Brian Fechino (guitarist with the Pat McGee Band), and many others.

John's background in business began while still living in Pennsylvania in the mid-1980's. He established Arden Systems which specialized in the design, maintenance and repair of musical equipment. After relocating to Nashville and beginning work at Sixteenth Avenue Sound he soon found himself co-managing the studio. He spent five years (1994-1999) learning the details of operating a world-class recording facility. During this period John also created a sideline business known as Antarctica, which initially began as a CD mastering company. Over a period of six years Antarctica evolved to become a pioneer in digital recording, being one the first Nashville studios to abandon large-fromat digital tape machines in favor of complete Pro-Tools recording and production.

In early 2003 John built his own mixing and mastering studio - Art Of The Groove, which also specializes in web hosting, design, and multimedia production. He is currently integrating several cutting-edge technologies to create new business models for the 21st century music industry. One such model is FEM Records - which is a next-generation record label focusing exclusively on Female Electronic Musicians. The label features several passionately creative artists from around the world.

John has also released three albums as SecondaryCell - his personal electronic music project influenced by IDM, Down-tempo and Glitch styles.

Links:

Photo Gallery - various artists, studios and bands that John has been involved with.

Robert Fripp - founding King Crimson member's Q&A at Antarctica Studios.

Press - Articles in Mix, Pro Sound News & Keyboard pertaining to John's various projects.

FEM Records - new model record label focusing exclusively on female electronic musicians.

Discoveries - Keyboard magazine column November, 1988.

SecondaryCell - official website for John's newest electronic music project.

Element 115 - experimental instrumental project featuring Nashville musicians Mike Griffith & Chris Tench.