Rob has written songs and played in bands his entire life. He was signed as a recording artist to RCA Records in 1989. He is published by BMG Music Publishing. He has produced albums for major labels, indie labels and unsigned bands, working with artists as wide ranging as Peter Buck (REM), Dismemberment Plan, Chris Stamey, Lee Rinaldo (Sonic Youth), Idina Menzel, Pharaoh Sanders, Dave Smalley, American Standard and filmmaker Hal Hartley. As an artist, he has had the pleasure of working with producers Scott Litt, Michael Barbiero, Steve Thompson, Peter Coleman, John Agnello and Niko Bolas, to name only a few. He founded Water Music in 1980.

James Frazee, Chief Engineer

James brings both musical and technical skill to sessions, thanks to years of playing drums, bass, guitar and singing in bands. While a teenager, his band opened for Fishbone, Mindless Self Indulgence and other notable groups. His college years were spent studying electrical engineering. Moving to New York City, he attended the School for Audio Engineering and graduated at the top of his class. He worked for Atlantic Records Studios, recording Buckcherry, Mercy Fall and Kill Hanna. He has worked with Michael White (Three Doors Down, James Taylor, Whitney Houston), Grady Tate (Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington) and artist D. Lloyd.

Since joining Water Music, his credits include Gym Class Heroes, Katy Mae (Maggadee), The Hold Steady (Vagrant), The Living End (Dew Process) and Madrugada (EMI).

Sean Kelly, Engineer

Sean Kelly began his career as a talented multi-instrumentalist, earning a degree in music theory. He discovered that he had a passion for critical listening, dissecting recordings and studying every source he could find on how albums were made. This was helped along by parents who loved music; they spent mornings driving to school analyzing Beatles records, figuring out who sang what background vocal. For a young guy, Sean is a fountain of information about classic, analog recording techniques.

His first professional job was working in information technology for a reinsurance company. He knew it wasn’t for him but it gave him computer chops that most engineers would die for. Computers and audio devices don’t crash when Sean is in the room. They know it is futile.

Since joining Water Music, Sean has worked with Shakira, R. Kelly, Martin Scorsese, Steuart Smith (the Eagles), Steve Holley, moe., Dead Confederate, the Whipsaws and Debutante Hour, to mention only a few.