ABOUT The Studio
The 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024 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.
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.
OUR TEAM
DAVE MALLEN
Owner/Lead Producer/Engineer
The studio was founded in 2006 by Dave Mallen, Producer, Recording Engineer, Multi-instrumentalist, and Music Business Strategist. A 30-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 400 clients from the DC area and beyond.
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".
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.
Email to chat with Dave about your next project!
Affiliated producers/engineers
nate ihara
Nate Ihara is a record producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist that has been working in the music industry since 2002. He's worked on numerous 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.
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 U.S. 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.
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.
He has been working out of Innovation Station Music as a producer and engineer since 2022.
PHOENIX HENKLE
Phoenix has been working with sound since 2016 and music since 2007. They are a WAMMIE-nominated engineer who can work in any genre, "from funk to punk," and collaborates with artists to create a professional, polished piece of art that achieves artists vision and appeals to the everyday listener.
Phoenix is also a skilled musician, and has employed their unique Bass Guitar skills on a number of recordings at Innovation Station Music, where they have been an engineer since late 2023.
Jacie Lee Eng
STUDIO assistant
Jacie is responsible for scheduling and administrative duties at Innovation Station Music. She is also a vocalist and emerging singer/songwriter and is currently working on her EP with Dave Mallen as Producer/Engineer. 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.
