Koi Pond changes the Tempo from Outback Home Recording Studio
The process of writing, recording and producing music is a subjective task that has no rules or regulations. We delve into Tom Caughey's process of creation in a space most wouldn't expect.
300km’s east of Perth, Western Australia, we meet Musician, Tom Caughey, in a vacant homestead on his family farm near Merredin. The flat landscape sprawls as far as the eye can see with lines of trees that border the paddocks. In one of the paddocks sits an iconic simple Australian homestead, with verandahs wrapping around. The humble tin home with overgrown garden, peeling paint exterior and a failing hinge on the front door used to be the home of Caughey’s grandparents. The interior remains how it was when it was last lived in 20 odd years ago. A room in the back tells a different story however. For the past year, the slow process of cleaning, painting the walls and installing gear has lead to what is now encompassed within the small room. Caughey has managed to create his own studio that consists of a full drum kit, upright piano, multiple guitars and his own production setup. The lead vocalist and guitarist is now in the process of releasing a full EP (extended play) that he has created in the studio.
“Music has always been a huge part of who I am.”
Caughey’s mum, Kate, recollects when she used to find him having stolen all her horse feed buckets. To her amusement he had flipped them upside down and would smack sticks on the top of his homemade drum kit.
Caughey spoke fondly of the Piano in his studio due to it’s sentimental past. Bought by his great grandfather the piano has been passed down through the generations and is now tucked into his studio amongst all the other gear.
“It’s hard work recording everything myself
drums, guitar, vocal
but it’s also so much fun.”
His Mum invested in a drum kit and later guitar lessons for her son. By age 13 Caughey was writing his own music and, as he says “pouring out that teenage angst”. It wasn’t long until the idea of being in a band gripped Caughey. He formed his band Koi Pond at 17 in 2020 with some friends. Since then he has continued to perform in iconic Perth venues from Indian Ocean Hotel to Freo Social and everything in between. The ‘Hometown Tour’ saw the band play all the way up in Karratha down to Margaret River, out in Merredin and finished off at Gage Roads. Surf brand ‘Rusty’ additionally came on board to create collaborative merch for the tour and have done so again for the recent tour.
Koi Pond has gone through members changes throughout the years however at the moment Caughey is doing his own thing. Although he writes and produces the music alone he brings on mates or session musicians for live performances.
Koi Pond Live at Indi Bar (6/10/24)
“The best thing about this studio is that I’m in control.”
When it comes to recording in a studio one of the most important components is producing, which is really like learning a new instrument itself. Good friend of Caughey, Giuliano Formato, plays in his own band ( Teenage Vertigo ) but also has helped Caughey with learning how to produce his music and the technical aspects behind it all. Upon first visit, Formato was shocked by the setup “You walk in to this tiny room painted black and see thousands of dollars worth equipment. I was really suprised by how much stuff he could fit in to one little room.” He continues on about how the exterior “looked like it was 100 plus years old.” And nothing like any other studio he has worked in.
“Here, I can sit with the music for as long as I need to”
The process of having an idea and finishing with a final product is no easy feat. The difference is how the process is done. The benefits of having a professional studio is often the producer and their experience in putting a product together however as Caughey says “ If things go wrong on the day or you don’t connect with them, it’s easy to feel like you’re wasting time and money” both of which are a rare commodity not worth wasting. When your spending a day or two in the studio forking a lot of money, the process can sometimes feel “GO GO GO” as soon as you step in, as Formato puts it. In comparison Caughey has found that in his studio he’s “got the time and space to really get into the art of it,” and really refine his songs down to just how he wants it and not “how the engineer wants to do it” which is often the case according to Formato.
Producing is a vital part of creating a song. Each instrument is recorded independently, usually starting from the drum and bass and then adding in elements like guitars, piano and vocals from there. When all these components are together the procedure of changing the levels and adjusting them all to sound how you want them to takes a lot of time. The practice and experience of producing can become a very subjective task as people listen to and understand music in all different ways.
When it comes to producing, Caughey uses the phrase “You can’t polish a turd” to describe the process. If an artist wants a good outcome it comes down to the quality of the initial recordings and takes. Good outputs come from a good input. For Caughey he seems to have found his haven where he can truly create his best input which he can then confidently release a product he his happy with. When recording with Tom in the studio, Formato says, “I feel I can get a better take, get right in to the neuancess of every sound”
Tom’s Studio Gear List
Shure SM7B
Shure SM57
Rode NT1A
Rode NT2A
Warm Audio WA2A
Warm Audio 1176
Universal Audio Solo 610
Presonus 1824
KRK Rokit 8’s
Korg MiniLogue
Logic Pro X
Guitar Rig Pro 7
Yamaha Stage Custom Pro Drum Kit
Beale Upright Piano
Fender Squire Mustang Bass
Yamaha Acoustic Guitar
Epiphone Wilshire Phantomatic Electric Guitar
Caughey’s Story illustrates that cutting edge technology is great however a personal space allows for greater freedom and a deeper connection to the music. The ability to take the reigns and really create in his own personal space is a testament to the hard work and commitment Caughey drives into his music.
Caughey has recently finished his Aus tour where he has been performing a selection of his new songs. As Tom’s EP release nears, he looks forward sharing his work and also his next gig where he will be a resident musician at a ski resort in Hakuba, Japan
Story, Photo & Video by Rob Harris