creative space for creative minds
Nice Minds
This episode is with my friend Rhaelee Gronholz. Rhaelee is one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met. We met as students at IPR (Institute of Production & Recording) and have collaborated in a couple different ways.
Rhaelee is an impressive force in the music|audio|entertainment space. Rhaelee performs and releases solo music under her first name as her stage name. On top of being a singer/songwriter she’s also a live sound engineer, producer, college instructor, and business owner. Rhaelee owns and operates Androgynous Audio and owns an SL100 mobile concert stage. Most recently Rhaelee became an instructor and Assistant Program Director at a college in Orlando Florida called F.I.R.S.T Institute.
Rhaelee is an amazing human that I admire and I am so grateful to know and call a friend. In this episode we discuss all things 2020/2021, Rhaelee’s move to FL, purchasing the SL100 mobile stage, Rhaelee’s music/studio, being an instructor at F.I.R.S.T Institute, personal struggles/setbacks, and overcoming obstacles to be the best person you can be.
Be sure to search “Rhaelee” on any streaming platform to find Rhaelee’s music and follow @RhaeleeGronholz on IG!
Podcast Link: Nice Minds
Video Link: YouTube
Rhaelee's Story: A Conversation of PRIDE with Ann Muhvich
Podcast Link: Inspired Courage
In this special episode, Marko Dewhurst shares the interview with guest host + longtime friend, Ann Muhvich. They dive into a conversation with local musician + Jill-of-all-Trade, Rhaelee Gronholz about the meaning of LGBTQIA+ Pride. Marko, Ann, and Rhaelee embark on topics from the definitions of sexuality, coming out, the sameness in people, and the importance of understanding.
About Rhaelee:
Bringing the heart and soul back to modern pop music, Rhaelee Gronholz is the newest woman you will want in your playlist. Redefining the status quo of pop, funk and jazz as she eloquently weaves elements of sassy bass lines and powerhouse vocals into her latest single “Pretty Things”. Based in Minneapolis, Rhaelee brings a confidence to each show she has, and every show she works. Notably a “Jill of All Trades”, Rhaelee’s work in the industry spans beyond just performing, and bleeds into making the music happen - both in the studio and live sound. Sophisticated in her sound, and confident in her personality, Rhaelee makes it impossible for you to keep your finger off the repeat button.
NPR
Everything you hear on TV, the radio, in a podcast, streaming devices, commercials, movie soundtracks and released by your favorite band has had the hands (and ears) of an audio engineer on them. And there's never been more ways to deliver that content to the audience—making the demand for skilled engineers higher than ever.
MPR News host Kerri Miller led a panel discussion with three women working in different audio engineering fields to talk about what got them interested, what their experience has been like, and why women are still outnumbered in the field.
Kerri was joined by:
• Veronica Rodriguez, a Technical Director at MPR and former Radio Broadcast Engineer for the Minnesota Vikings
• Katharine Horowitz, a Theatrical Sound Designer and composer, and a 2017 McKnight Theater Artist Fellow at the Playwrights' Center
• Rhaelee Gronholz, CEO of Androgynous Audio, freelance live sound and studio engineer
Pass The Mic
Talking Shop with Rhaelee Gronholz, Owner and CEO of Androgynous Audio
Talking Shop is a series where women, trans and non-binary folks in the music business give you a behind-the-scenes look at their day-to-day lives. Talking Shop was created with the philosophy that representation matters, not only for performers, but for all careers in the music industry. The series demystifies jobs in music with the goal inspiring younger generations to pursue their dream job.
For the first installment of Talking Shop, I visited Rhaelee Gronholz at a studio in IPR College of Creative Arts, where Gronholz studied audio engineering. She has a background in audio, but does much more than sit behind a sound board. Gronholz describes herself as a “Jill of All Trades.” She owns her own company, works as a freelance live sound engineer and studio recording engineer, writes, sings, and releases her own music.
Name: Rhaelee Gronholz (she/they)
Job Title: Founder and CEO of Androgynous Audio
What is “Androgynous Audio?”
Androgynous Audio is to be thought of as a value or a character someone can posses. It means you’re willing to take on responsibility. When it comes to delegating roles in a studio, you should be able to own up to your personal responsibility. If something goes wrong or you delegate a role to somebody who isn’t capable of fulfilling it, then it’s up to you to get the job done by any means necessary. If you think about live concerts, theater performances, etc. they don’t just stop for nothing — they go on. The three main things this company revolves around is live sound for touring artists, studio work, and composing and creating original music for digital release.
What does a typical work day look like at Androgynous Audio?
It would look like me waking up and playing some piano. I don’t like waking up to an alarm clock— most of my gigs happen at night— eating breakfast, hanging out with my Pomeranian Jack Jack, going to a meeting— usually I meet up with multiple different people during the week; we have consistent meetings and band rehearsals, I do arts management. So multiple different things— I do studio sessions and live sound for touring artists just to name a few.
How did you get started in the music industry?
I got started in this industry when I was a little girl, I like to say, because when anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said a singer. Me and my mom would sing in the kitchen all the time to the likes of Patsy Cline, “Crazy,” songs like that, timeless classics.
I was intrigued with this side of it [points to sound board] when we used to do karaoke together. She had a pretty beefy setup: 12 channels, each with EQ. I mean, 12 channels now to me seems like nothing, but back then I was like, “What? All these knobs make it sound weird?” I started messing around with things, and then I realized that I had a knack for what sounded good in a room and what sounded harsh and hurt your ears; how to create an environment for your listener.
What is one thing you love about your job?
I love multiple things about my job. I’d say that music is something that most people can relate to, whether you’re in the music industry full-time or if you’re lover and listener it’s a big family. Music for me has been life changing; ever since I was a kid it was my favorite escape. There’s not one aspect of the industry that I don’t love at this point. We all have to do things that we don’t like sometimes to succeed, but that’s a part of getting to the other side of success; it doesn’t just come easy, or everybody would be doing it. So for me, I view it, as long as you know what feels good to you and what feels right, then you’re doing what you should be.
What is a challenge that you have faced in your job, and how did you navigate it?
One challenge that I‘ve faced in this industry has to do with nobody else but my own self. That would be just getting down on yourself every once in a while and doubting that you have the capability to do what it takes to make a living in this industry and to keep making a living, to keep staying relevant. There are constant technology changes in this industry, and I have to be at the top of it, otherwise you get left behind. For me, I think that has been the hardest challenge: maintaining balance. There are people who don’t even know this is a job position, period. There are people who, when they hear that you’re in music say, “Oh that’s not a real job, what’s your side-job?” It’s like, ummm no, I do this full-time— this is my job. I think that’s been the biggest struggle, finding my place and finding my authenticity. Saying “hey I’m real, I’m here, and I do what I say I’m going to do.”
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out? What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter your field?
Nothing good comes easy; it doesn’t come quickly. They did this study on kids— very simple. They had a marshmallow and asked them, “Do you want this marshmallow now, or do you want two later, in an hour?” Almost every kid wanted it right away; instant gratification. And we’re a generation that’s getting used to instant gratification with our phones and most other things we’re doing. The kids who decided to wait, in their adult years as they grew up showed major successes because they knew the kind of things you can get from waiting, and getting twice as much, just by staying steady and being patient.
Small Business Saturday
Androgynous Audio
Rhaelee Gronholz, IPR alumni and owner of Androgynous Audio
Rhaelee Gronholz is an IPR graduate of the Audio Production and Engineering and Live Sound and Show Production programs. Since graduating, she has started her own company and has worked alongside well-known venues all over the Twin Cities.
In addition to being a live sound engineer and audio producer, Rhaelee is also a performer. She just released her Music = Language EP on Apple Music and Spotify. On this EP, she has collaborated with fellow IPR alumni, as well as instructors including Walter Chancellor Jr.
Rhaelee had participated in IPR’s Women in the Media Discussion Panel on November 15th, where she had discussed highlights of working in the audio industry. To view recaps and live streaming of this event, please see our Facebook post.
What is the name of your business? When did you officially “open your doors”?
The original name of my business was Jill of All Trades and is now officially name changed to Androgynous Audio. It’s an umbrella company to my entertainment business The Stage Babes. I first opened the doors on May 22nd 2017.
What does your company do? What is your website (if you have one)?
My company specializes in sound manipulation and live or studio engineering. I specialize in music education, songwriting, and compositions both instrumental and vocal. I have a multitude of venues and production companies that I partner with in Minneapolis and Orlando for different events, studio sessions, and performances. We strive to reach as far as necessary in order to give clients a safe stage setup and sound for shows. Whether its performances, motivational speakers, or even outdoor yoga events, we will accommodate our clients needs.
Both my personal music projects and stage links can be found at Androgynous Audio
What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned from having your own business?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned, is that no matter how many times I may fall down, to always get back up and do it with a smile. There isn’t one thing I can think of that I didn’t learn or take away from during these experiences, good or bad. Owning a business isn’t easy, and sometimes I have to say “Yes I can do that for you!” at times when I just want to relax and silence my mind. You know it’s like that saying “Success isn’t easy, or everyone would be doing it.”
What has been the most rewarding aspect of having your own business?
The most rewarding aspect of owning my own business, is getting to work for causes and organizations that I believe in and can get behind. Working with movers and shakers that understand, in order to be the change we want to see in the world, we should be demonstrating that change. It’s one thing to talk about issues on how this world can be a better place, but it’s another to go out and put actions to it.
What advice do you have for other IPR graduates or students who are aspiring to be self-employed?
Do it. Anyone that tells you it’ll be too hard, or too time consuming, or “when will you be able to go out hangout, do you have the money for it?” Don’t listen to them, do the things you aspire to do and be the passion that’s lit inside of you. Go out and find a way to get it done, and if that doesn’t work try a new tactic, many people forget that we can reach the same destination a multitude of ways.
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