If Chaucer were to choose an Everyman for the art of making contemporary music, he might look very much like Richard Chycki -- a producer, an engineer and a songsmith -- proof that the ability to listen to and serve the music bodes well for a long career. Richard Chycki humbly discusses the art of making music...

‘For me, it’s all about capturing the vibe and spirit of the music that the artist intended and having fun doing it,’ says Chycki of his musical mantra.

Chycki has had a hand in the mixing or recording of Rush, Aerosmith, Mick Jagger, Simple Plan, Pink, Skillet, P. Diddy, Seal, Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, Funeral For A Friend and many others. Recently, he has also enjoyed a string of #1 hits on the Christian charts in America with Atlantic artists Skillet and Needtobreathe. In addition, his production of the Swiss band Gotthard – their ninth studio album, Need To Believe – rose to #1 status in Switzerland, going on to sell double platinum and enjoying Top 10 success in other countries in the region.

He has also been instrumental in the remixing of original artist tracks for both the eminently popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games, working with original vintage masters and creating accurate remixes thathave gone on to capture phenomenal attention worldwide.

Past works also include contributions to movie soundtracks for features like I Love You Man, Charlie's Angels, Serendipity, Scream 3 and The Glimmerman. Live broadcast works include track mix for the 2010 Winter Olympics closing show, MTV's 20th Anniversary Special and international live broadcasts via YouTube, amongst others.

Fluent in both the CD and DVD 5.1 worlds, Chycki’s pioneering surround work has been recognized for his award-winning mix of Rush’s Snakes & Arrows Live and has also received nods for Rush’s Snakes & Arrows MVI, Rush R30 and Our Lady Peace Live.

Originally from Toronto Canada, Chycki began his recording career as a guitar player searching for sonic nirvana for his own recordings. His first notable break came by scoring a #1 hit on American rock radio with Aerosmith’s song ‘Jaded’ in 2001. Richard moved on to working in rooms like the Metropolis in London, Sony Studios in New York, and the infamous Record Plant in Los Angeles. Settling back in Toronto, Chycki works side-by-side with Rush’s Alex Lifeson, where they share a private studio facility that is home to a myriad collection of both high-tech and vintage equipment.

Richard was Juno-nominated in 2007, 2003 and 2002 for Engineer of the Year for Rush’s Snakes & Arrows, Dolores O’Riordan’s Are You Listening?, Mick Jagger's Visions of Paradise, Aerosmith's Jaded and Shawn Colvin's When You Know (from the Serendipity Soundtrack).

On Neil Peart’s [Rush] website at www·neilpeart·net, he writes:

“We also recruited master engineer Rich Chycki, who had worked with Alex on the mixes for the R30 DVD, and (we thought) captured our best-ever live recording.”

And of the recording sessions, Peart writes:

“I have never enjoyed the recording process so much, nor been so satisfied with the results.”

What more could we possibly add?