The Music Factory with Dave Johnston
No-nonsense songwriting, music production, and creative advice from an award-winning musician & SAE lecturer.
Welcome! My articles explore creativity and making music, offering tips and ideas to help you improve. You’ll learn to finish more songs, stop buying extra gear and plugins you don’t need, and become more intentional about your music-making process.
My journey as a musician and producer has been full of amazing experiences, and this writing is built on that foundation, giving you a fast-forward button to speed up your development.
For Songwriters & Producers (and Curious Minds)
Whether you're a fellow songwriter, a music production enthusiast, or just curious about how music is made, this series is for you. Expect creative insights, production tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of music making.
Who Am I?
My name is Dave Johnston. I’m an award-winning musician, producer, songwriter, mixing engineer, and a Senior Lecturer at SAE Creative Media Institute. I have a Doctor of Musical Arts (Music Production and Composition) degree from the University of Otago, and a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from AUT University.
I’ve been performing and making music for around 20 years across various projects spanning many musical styles. I enjoy collaboration and making music with other people, and also love the experimental freedom and learning that comes with making music solo.
In my band Villainy, I’ve played in stadiums and arenas, supporting bands like AC/DC, Incubus, The Offspring, and Papa Roach. We’ve won three Aotearoa Music Awards and released three albums and two EPs. I’ve shared a post-show whiskey with Ben Kenney from Incubus, taught Vanilla Ice a secret handshake, and watched side-of-stage as Snoop Dogg’s hype man soundchecked his golden microphone.
My solo project, n1ghtmar3cat, is where I explore the depths of my creativity, and I’ve released two albums and an EP to date. My music spans alt-pop, electronic, and singer-songwriter styles, all combining in a dark and spacious world of sound design. As I’m the singer, songwriter, producer, and mixing engineer, all these processes overlap and intertwine as I make music.
Beyond my artist projects, I work with others as a mixing engineer, producer, and songwriter. My experience spans multiple genres, and I often combine ideas from different musical styles, giving my work a unique edge.
My journey as a musician and producer has been full of amazing experiences, and this writing is built on that foundation, giving you a fast-forward button to speed up your development. The content I make here with The Music Factory is designed to spark inspiration and arm you with the creative tools and ideas to keep improving your music.
What You'll Find Here
Practical Music Production Explorations: We discuss production concepts I use like the “rule of three” in arrangements, building a distinctive sonic identity, and navigating the production process.
Deep Dives into Tracks: We pull apart some of the music I'm involved with to see how it’s made so you can adapt some of the ideas for yourself. We’ll explore lyrical themes, production choices, and the conceptual ideas that created them.
Reflections on the Creative Process: Songwriting is a rollercoaster ride. I'll share ways I navigate creative blocks, where I find inspiration, and the creative strategies I use.
Join the Conversation
Share your thoughts, contact me with questions, and try out some of the ideas. Send articles to friends who might be interested and hear what they have to say. This is a space for learning and sharing, and I'd love to hear your perspectives.
Let's go - I'm excited to share this journey with you!
Work With Me
🌐 → Visit my website for examples of my work, and get in touch if you’re looking for an experienced creative professional to mix or produce your music.
Top-Rated Articles from The Music Factory
Dive straight into the good stuff! These are the three articles from the last year that my readers have found most useful.
