Check out Mike Bowen’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Bowen.

Mike, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m an individual that does not stop moving from one gig to another. It’s a blessing and a curse! I fell into audio work about 12 years ago. I was always surrounded by talented individuals, many of the musicians and almost none of them had any means of recording their projects. I was into computers, loved music, and fell in love with the idea of being a recording engineer. I taught myself how to operate a recording software, bought some cheap gear, and slowly started to craft my ear/skill.

After a few years of recording friends, I ventured into DJ-ing/remixing/production as a hobby. This then led me down the path of live audio, and eventually into audiovisual work where I was DJing weddings and small corporate events.

After about 5 years, I decided I would go and deepen my knowledge of the trade and enrolled in the Audio Production Technologies course at Mesa Community College. There, I met another student who seemed just as interested, as well as serious, about furthering the craft. That student was Ryan Kahl, who you recently interviewed, and just a year or two into the program, Ryan and I were quickly on the path to business partnership.

We combined our project studios into one location, built some sound treatment, and started creating a brand. B&K Sound Labs was the result, which is now going on its 6th year of existence in Tempe and I am thankful that we have been able to work with some amazing artists over those years! But we didn’t stop with just a recording studio. While working side gigs in the corporate arena, we realized we had an opportunity to create a 2nd brand, that would cater to a larger and more consistent clientele. I mean, everyone needs a side hustle. We developed a business plan and were able to successfully pitch it to an investor who is now our partner. Focus Event Technology is an audio visual company specializing in event lighting and conference AV; and has now been servicing the Valley for 4 years.

As if that wasn’t enough though, I recently have turned another passion into a focused gig. I now am a live video game content creator. I stream under the gamertag Farmer Bowen via Facebook, Mixer, and Twitch almost daily. I came up with the idea of Farmer Bowen because of what I was doing in my free time at home, in between work. I take care of 10 animals, have a garden, and stream video games all from my home studio. I have 2 dogs, 4 cats, 3 ducks, and one hen. I raise the birds for eggs (which are delicious), and we pull veggies out of our garden whenever they are ready! I try to funnel all of that into Farmer Bowen’s Facebook page. Check it out! I’m just very grateful for the successes I’ve had, the amazing people that have become a part of my circle, and the satisfaction in knowing that being a good person, in general, is not to be overlooked.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Simply put, I’m a recording engineer, business owner, and an online content creator. I love to work with an artist in the recording studio, and really capture their talent to the best of my ability. We created B&K Sound Labs with two very important things in mind:

#1 Make a stress-free and creative environment for artists that is equipped with a separate control room and tracking room, both acoustically treated to ensure the best possible sound capture of your performances.

#2 Make the tracking room big enough to be able to capture large natural room tones and for multiple members of the band to perform together if desired.

I take my lifetime of critical listening and put it to use ensuring that the project has a clear and consistent “feel.” I don’t dabble too much in producing an artist, partly because that’s not my interest really; but also, because I do have a lot of other things going on typically between the studio, AV company, and streaming stuff. So, my favorite artists are the ones who know what they are looking for, and who know their stuff inside and out. Efficiency in the studio can make or break a project.

As a gaming content creator, I make videos of various gameplay and also some of my DIY farms. Live streaming is a crazy way to meet people from all over the world. I have had some great conversations with people whom I never would have even known existed on this planet had it not been for being live and available for the masses. I am just making something I do to kill time more meaningful, and if I can entertain a few folks here and there or help someone out with a tutorial video, then I consider that a good day. Most of the content is gaming, animal, food, and whiskey related.

How can artists connect with other artists?
I understand how easily that can be an issue. I myself can be quite the hermit and antisocial when I want to be, but now that I am a live streamer, I kind of forced myself to be out there and exposed. Even with my presence being “online,” I still find it difficult to put myself out there in different forums and online communities. Everyone is different, and we all have our own social anxieties, but if possible, I think proactive interaction is the best way to build a community. Who knows what opportunities might be missed due to the fact that an artist was “too nervous” to go to an open mic, or submit a story, or painting for a competition. It’s not easy to push off the wall and go dance, but by golly, you need to sometime.

I think as an artist, you will begin to notice that it isn’t as scary as it seems, and generally, people are supportive. You just have to cherish the right relationships and keep things positive. Then, slowly your community will grow with the folks you are really wanting to be around. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
For music and studio stuff – People can check out our studio website to get a feel for how we operate and to hear a small sampling of work we’ve done over the years. We’re also on Instagram and Facebook. For my live stream stuff, people can find me on several platforms – Facebook, Mixer, Twitch, and YouTube.

mixer.com/farmerbowen
twitch.tv/farmerbowen
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf-Hv13jIDYHy2lj3NAkNtg

Contact Info:

• Email: mike@bksoundlabs.com
  farmerbowengaming@gmail.com
• Website: www.bksoundlabs.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/bksoundlabs
• Facebook: facebook.com/bksoundlabs
• Twitter: facebook.com/farmerbowengaming
• Other: twitch.tv/farmerbowen

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.