INTERVIEW: MICHAEL JACKSON'S BRAD SUNDBERG ON THE FANNAZINE PODCAST

Brad Sundberg, who is best known for engineering Michael Jackson's studio recordings is the inaugural guest on the Fannazine Podcast Hosted By Ben Rispin

02/15/2025

After falling in love with Hamilton's Halo Studios, Brad Sundberg brought his "In the Studio With MJ" session and blew the minds of not only Michael Jackson fans, but producers and creative a like.

LISTEN TO FANNAZINE w/ Brad Sundberg of Michael Jackson

PILOT EPISODE! The ITW Podcast Network is happy to host the pilot episode of FANNAZINE hosted by Ben Rispin of @getintotheweeds.

FANNAZINE will host a variety of guests from all walks of life. On the pilot episode, Ben welcomes frequent collaborators Roman Marcone, owner of Halo Studios in Hamilton, and Producer-Musician Danny Smart as they're joined by legendary recording engineer Brad Sundberg.

Brad Sundberg worked with Michael Jackson from 1985 until Michael passed. Brad discusses the Bad album, what it was like sharing studio space with legends, and shares candid stories spanning decades of not only working with Michael Jackson, but the legendary Quincy Jones as well.

Recorded in early February 2025 at Halo Studios Hamilton. Visit www.halomusic.ca

FANNAZINE is presented by www.fannatickets.com

ABOUT BRAD SUNDBERG

Taken from inthestudiowithmj.com

"Brad Sundberg joined Michael’s Jackson team during the production of Captain EO in 1985, and remained with Michael as one of his engineers and Technical Director for nearly 18 years. Brad was actively involved in the studio production of four of Michael’s studio albums: BAD, Dangerous, HIStory, and Blood On The Dance Floor. He also worked on remixes and edits for countless singles, short films, and tour preparations associated with these projects.

Beyond the studio, as Michael’s incredible Neverland Valley Ranch grew from dream to reality, he brought Brad in to design and install music and video systems in virtually every corner of the property. In addition to Michael’s personal listening and dance studio systems, Brad created incredible outdoor sound effect systems throughout the grounds with the exact same attention to detail. Michael chose the music, but he trusted Brad’s technical expertise to make it sound great.

Now Brad is sharing these unique experiences with the public through his In the Studio with MJ seminars. The idea was born from the intense desire that people have to know more about how these incredible projects came to life.

Brad is a proud voting member of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, also known as the GRAMMY Awards. He has worked with several other artists and was Technical Director for Quincy Jones’ album, Back on the Block; Stevie Nicks’ album, Rock a Little; and Barbra Streisand’s album, Til I Loved You. Other clients included The Simpsons, Vanessa Williams, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell.

Based in Orlando, Brad builds custom music and video systems for homes and commercial applications. His client list includes Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Taylor, Rod Temperton, Helen Hunt, Madonna, Quincy Jones… and many more."

ABOUT ROMAN MARCONE (Guest Co-Host)

Roman Marcone is a mystery to all but check out this interview below.

ABOUT DANNY SMART (Guest Co-Host)

Taken from dannysmartmusic.com

"Danny Smart is an emerging talent in the world of audio engineering, bringing a fresh perspective and a passion for music to his work. Hailing from Barnsley, England and now based at Halo Studios in Hamilton, Danny's recent foray into the industry has been marked by a remarkable ability to capture and enhance the authenticity of analog sounds, infusing his work with a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

Despite being relatively new to the field, his dedication and innovative approach have already garnered attention, leading to collaborations with established artists such as Coney Hatch and Envy of None, as well as local acts like Lee Reed and Sessions.

Danny's background as an artist himself provides him with a unique insight into the creative process, allowing him to approach audio engineering with a fresh and intuitive perspective. His commitment to preserving the essence of analog sounds while incorporating modern influences sets him apart as a promising talent on the rise in the industry."

LISTEN TO DANNY SMART'S MUSIC

ABOUT HALO STUDIOS IN HAMILTON

Taken from Halomusic.ca

"Halo is a one-of-a kind recording studio in Hamilton, Ontario. Home to our world class mixing console, the legendary SSL4048 (orig. 4064) from Doppler Studio, Atlanta. This Console alongside the Studer A80 tape machine, Pro Tools Ultimate, and a live room with a view are all situated in a vibe-centric space designed for creativity.

Halo Studio was designed and envisioned by Roman Marcone (Said the Whale, Daniel Lanois, Whitehorse, Big Wreck, etc) and Nick Blagona (Deep Purple, April Wine, Protest the Hero, Bee Gees), based from Nick's famous studio in the Laurentian Mountains, Le Studio, Morin Heights."

ABOUT THE HOST

Ben Rispin is a critically acclaimed musician, producer, writer, podcast host and co-founder of Fannatickets. Ben has been featured in several publications including High Times, Forbes, Exclaim Mag and many more. He has been nominated for several fancy awards but rarely wins. Visit him on instagram @benrispin