ABOUT The Studio
The 2019, 2020, and 2022 WAMMIE award winner for "Best Music Studio" in the Washington, DC area, Innovation Station Music is the clear choice for artists and bands looking for a highly professional, world-class studio in a comfortable, relaxed environment.
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With the help of renowned studio architect Wes Lachot, Innovation Station Music opened its new state-of-the-art studio in June 2017. Featuring 5 amazing-sounding soundproof rooms, comprised of two full recording and mixing suites, every aspect of the studio has been designed to provide clients with the space, comfort, and tools they need to make amazing music in a comfortable and creative setting. Whether it's a full band tracking live in Studio A, or a hip-hop artist cutting vocals in Studio B, Innovation Station Music offers an elegantly-designed and exceptionally functional space for all kinds of music-making.
DAVE MALLEn
Owner/Lead Producer/Engineer
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The studio was founded in 2006 by Dave Mallen, Producer, Recording Engineer, Multi-instrumentalist, and Music Business Strategist. A 25+ year veteran of the DC area (or "DMV") music scene, Dave leveraged his Berklee College of Music studies to create a “one-stop shop” music production studio based on his highly intuitive, empathic, and personalized approach to artist/song development and recording. This, together with his unique music business strategy services, has helped Dave amplify the careers of over 300 clients from the DC area and beyond.
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Dave Mallen's efforts also extend beyond the walls of the studio. In 2008, Dave co-founded the Metro Music Source, a pro-bono effort aimed at supporting the DC area music community. Through its' monthly meetups, panel discussions, and workshops, the MMS has provided local musicians and music industry professionals with numerous opportunities to network, learn, collaborate, and elevate the DC area music scene. In recognition of his work with the local music community, Dave received a 2013 WAMMIE nomination for "Most Supportive of Washington DC Music".
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Dave Mallen is a voting Member of the Producers & Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), and holds a Masters Certificate from the Berklee College of Music in Music Business and Technology. He is also a past member of the steering committee for Fair Trade Music DC, as well as the DC Music Stakeholders group.
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Email to chat with Dave about your next project!
Affiliated producers/engineers
AUSTIN BELLo
Esteemed music producer Austin Bello has partnered with Innovation Station Music to offer his unique talents on select dates at our studio! This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Austin and benefit from the convenient location, top-flight gear, boutique instruments, and other amenities that our 3x WAMMIE-winning studio offers artists in the DC area.
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Says Austin: "Partnering with Innovation Station Music is a natural fit, as Dave shares my "artist-first" philosophy and desire for passion-driven collaborations where we're making music that we're all proud of. I'm excited to get rolling -- let's make some killer tunes!"
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We are currently accepting new projects for late Summer 2023 and beyond. As a bonus, the first 3 artists to book a project with Austin at our studio will also get yours truly as co-producer and engineer! Email Jacie at jacie@ismusicstudio.com to discuss scheduling and rates.
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nate ihara
Nate Ihara is a record producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist that has been working in the music industry since 2002. Over the better part of two decades Nate has worked on various recording and audio projects with artists like Chelsea Lee (SHAED), Chloe Chaidez (Kitten/Nasty Cherry), Papa Roach, Hollywood Undead, and In Flames. His past commercial clients include major brands and organizations Capital One, Mercedes, Thinkfun Toys, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Wounded Warrior Project.
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He started his career playing in the local DC/NoVa music scene. His band Welbilt quickly gained popularity and after a matter of months found himself signing a recording contract with Virgin and touring the US supporting bands like Maroon 5, Lifehouse, and many other notable acts. Over the years the band released one album and two EPs. After 6 years of recording and touring the band parted ways in 2008. Shortly after he started playing bass for the band The Blackjacks (fka The Echoes). In 2010 he started his own band We Were Kings again filling the role of frontman and guitarist. The band released their critically acclaimed album “Ghost” in 2011. The band broke up in 2012 as members moved to New York and Los Angeles.
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During his tenure touring with his former bands Nate spent his spare time honing the craft of songwriting and recording as both an artist and an engineer. By co-writing and recording with other songwriters from all over the globe, he placed music in commercials, television series, and films. This opened the doors to working full time in the recording industry.
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In 2013, Nate started his own audio house PopSongShop Creative which does production, post production, composing, and other creative audio projects for clients worldwide. In 2022 he began working out of award winning studio Innovation Station in Northern Virginia as a producer and engineer.
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Jacie Lee Eng
administrative assistant
Jacie is responsible for scheduling and administrative duties. She is a vocalist and emerging singer/songwriter and is currently working on her EP at Innovation Station. With a versatile vocal range (contralto to mezzo soprano) and soulful style, she lends her voice to songwriters and is also available as a session/backing singer.