Producer Matt Wallace on Maroon 5, Faith No More, Chaos in the Studio, and Mixing Dangerously

“You can’t make great records if you’re not willing to fall flat on your face.”

That line stuck with us. It came about 6 minutes into marek’s recent conversation with Matt Wallace, the legendary producer behind Songs About Jane, Angel Dust, and Don’t Tell a Soul. But it sums up Matt’s whole philosophy—and why his records hit so hard.

Over the course of the interview, Matt walks us through three decades of producing iconic albums. The early chaos of Faith No More. The creative friction of The Replacements. The underdog hustle of Maroon 5’s debut. The through-line? Embracing risk, preserving vibe, and fighting for the artist's truth—even when it gets messy.

One of the most powerful moments comes when Matt recounts turning down a $50,000 job to work with an unknown band for half the pay. That band? Maroon 5. The record? Songs About Jane. But it wasn’t a straight shot to success. At one point, they stripped the guitars and tried to make an R&B record. It took breaking the songs—and rebuilding them—to find their real identity.

Matt also opens up about his evolution from stereo to immersive mixing, and how Dolby Atmos has reignited his passion for fidelity:

“I want to hear the humanity behind the speakers... I want to smell the band sweat. It has to feel like it’s going to jump out at you.”

This isn’t just a conversation for fans of Dangerous Music. It’s a masterclass in trusting your gut, respecting the song, and knowing when to push—or pull back.

Watch the full interview below ⬇️