Meet Apiwe Bubu: Studio owner, Music Producer, Audio Engineer, Composer & DJ
We had the good fortune of connecting with Apiwe Bubu and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Apiwe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business? I’ve always had a sense of perspective and mind that is independent. Seeking to go against the norm quite often and questioning conclusions, ideas and processes. Why?- why that? why this? why there? etc. In starting my own business I’m able to honor my perspectives and do things my way, independent of oversight and someone else’s vision. It so happens I have a talent for music,-including composition, songwriting, performance, music production, DJing and audio engineering…also a talent to self determine, steer a business towards fruitfulness, relevance and a positive impact. In essence, starting my own business happened quite naturally.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others? I run a recently upgraded enterprise and studio – Global Sound Studio LA in the heart of N Hollywood. The global aspect of this enterprise is that indeed…I have a global perspective and ear, having been born in South Africa, travelled extensively, lived in Spain, Boston and now LA , my experience and tutelage puts me in a unique position to deeply and proficiently understand a vast array of cultures, modes of sound and articulation in the human paradigm, sonicscape and sphere. From grunge, hiphop, rock. soul, classical, jazz, afro sonics, dance, pop and all tones in-between, I’m able to bring this rather uncommon perspective into the business of owning a studio in the capital of global entertainment and culture, sharing my sound and approach to music making with artists and clientele who book our services and would otherwise be hard spent to find it elsewhere. Getting to grow into a position of ownership, full creativity and a technician has been one of great learning and mentorship from those who’ve been generous enough to allow me into their spaces and places of business, including renowned producer/audio engineer Tony Maserati. It certainly hasn’t been a narrow or straight path but at every turn I soaked in the knowledge, often heeded the advice and learnt from others mistakes or shortcomings, This all to better serve my vision and calling which I always hope in turn, serves others. In providing a kaleidoscope of music services from vocal recording, mixing & mastering. music production, songwriting and composition – Global Sound Studio LA allows artists and clients to reach deep into the well of ideas they have without risk of an inability to execute but in-fact, rather experiencing the excitement that something special and un-duplicable will happen. And with the on boarding of brilliant and talented minds/individuals such as my assistants in all the above regards, Global Sound Studio LA is poised to continue contributing towards the global music scene and those looking for a place to call their musical home.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. This is actually a difficult question for me…because I often fail dismally in broadening my appetite for anything other than making music and being in the studio. But nonetheless theres’ a few spots, venues and to do’s on my list. For eating we would visit Kitchen 24 in Hollywood for breakfast, Mama Shelter for lunch and sundowners and the Dream Hotel for dinner and night drinks. Throw in St Felix, Sassafras and The Federal as bars during the week to visit. Per daytime excursions, Griffith Observatory is a must, Venice beach for the sunshine, The Getty museum and LACMA for culture. and early morning hike at Runyon Canyon to get us started/ignited. A few concert nights like a consummate artist at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Palladium and El Rey Theatre, notwithstanding a night at the LA Philharmonic would be highly considered. This should suffice in covering all the bases, places and things I find charming, entertaining and of great interest in LA.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout my late father. He’s been a long and ardent supporter in this perilous journey of music, knowledge seeking, skill acquiring, moving between cities, continents and countries of residence and etching my presence and career in the US and Los Angeles. He wasn’t always onboard as he had his initial hesitation at first about such an uncommon commitment to music and the risk to my person and future,-but once he understood my determination and saw my persistence…he threw what he could of his weight behind me and always cheered me on…I honor and thank him for that.