When HUB Met... Jim Abbiss

Recently HUB met up with Saffron Walden-based record producer, Jim Abbiss, who has worked with recording artists such as Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Editors, Placebo, Kasabian and KT Tunstall. Although the accolades of various artists are important when referring to Jim’s work, his formula for success has not been to ride on the back of celebrity, so instead we look closely at the enlightening path he has travelled and the inspirational people he has encountered on his journey.

Initially his love for music drew him to performance, playing the keyboard and bass guitar in various groups but it soon became apparent that this was not for him. Jim said, “I got stage fright, and soon realized that performing was not for me.” One door had closed but his passion for music remained, which is how his interest in music production surfaced. “I found myself noticing the names on the back of the album covers, and becoming familiar with them. Then one day my dad’s friend, who had a mobile recording studio set-up, invited me to help him record a band. I was hooked, so much so that I saved up all my Saturday job money for a year and bought my own mini set-up.”

By following his passion, and unbeknown to him at the time, Jim was at the starting line of the career for which he was destined.

Thinking ahead, Jim researched university courses in sound recording whilst attending Jack Hunt Comprehensive in Peterborough. “Nowadays things are different, there are loads of music production courses, but at the time there was only one proper sound recording course on offer, at Surrey University, and the subjects required for entrance were maths, physics and music.” In order to study these ‘A’ levels Jim approached the headmaster to see if he could rearrange the school timetable which didn’t allow for studying arts and science together. “I believe my headmaster only entertained the idea because he saw how serious and focused I was and, fortunately for me, the school reworked the whole timetable eliminating the subject clash.”

On reflection, this triggered a course of events and meetings. Jim attended a university interview, and whether by luck or chance the interview was taken by a stand-in. Both parties shared a common interest in the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen and the pair hit it off. They talked for two hours and followed the interview with a pint in the common room.  Was this fate at work?

Unfortunately, Jim made, in his own words “a complete hash of my ‘A’ levels”, didn’t get anywhere near the required grades and resigned himself to studying at the local polytechnic. It was my mother who suggested I phone Surrey and check that I’d definitely missed out. To my amazement they informed me that I had been accepted for the course, and a letter would soon be arriving to confirm this.

On his first day at University, Jim attended a drinks party for the freshmen. It soon became apparent that his fellow students had been admitted with straight ‘A’s. His two ‘C’s and a ‘D’ made him, in his own words, “the dunce of the class”. But was this the fuel that drove him to succeed? “I think at college I realized that hard work and a bit of natural ability were more important than qualifications.”

n leaving university Jim worked with various key people who helped shape his career. “My first proper studio job was assisting Owen Morris who would go on to produce Oasis. “He was like a mad professor but totally self-taught; I learnt so much from him, he tore up the rule book and made me follow my instincts.

“I then moved to a big studio in London, working for Robin Millar. He has produced albums for Sade, Randy Crawford, Fine Young Cannibals etc; Robin is virtually blind and couldn’t see any of the equipment; he taught me to really listen, to forget about any distractions.”

Jim loves to work with artists who inspire him, such as Adele. “She can be having a cuppa one minute, chatting about Eastenders, but as soon as the recording light goes on, amazing music pours out of her. KT Tunstall also totally blew me away with her boundless energy and enthusiasm” he continues, “I think that because I’m not a performer, I absolutely love being with them, I find them totally inspiring.”

Jim saw great success whilst working with The Arctic Monkeys on their Mercury Award winning debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, released in early 2006. It became the fastest selling debut album in British music history. Because of this he’s in the fortunate position of being able to choose whom he works with; these artists are passionate about their music and by collaborating they bring the best out of each other.

Jim’s Hot Tip

Bands to look out for in the future are The Bombay Bicycle Club, and a To Kill A King, a band comprising two local boys. Will they be another success story for Saffron Walden?

For all his success Jim remains truly grounded. From a young age he was aware of his interest and skill, which he embraced, and he followed the signposts and read the signals. Through overcoming being set back by his exam grades and learning from the people he has worked with, Jim is proof that sometimes the most direct route isn’t the only correct way of getting to the finish line.