In the beginning, the idea of making connections was a frustrating one. A defeating one. An impossible one. After years of studying and tens of thousands of dollars in loans, a certain very talented music and audio engineer learned the hard way that the only way to “make it” in the music industry was through connections.

The story is all too familiar; the dreams of a successful musician and studio owner tainted by the life of the struggling artist. However, in this tale an idea grew out of the very notion that threatened to bring about failure: Connections. The concept was that an independent musician or music professional that was not inherently “connected” to the bigwigs of the industry could still become connected to the community simply because he or she was in the same line of work. No longer would those involved in the production of music be relegated to a small font in the liner notes of an album. No longer would artists be unable to find a producer with a background in their genre. No longer would fans have to search high and low for music that fit their tastes.

And so, from a small home-based studio in the depths of Brooklyn grew an idea so large that it could not be ignored. Girded with months and months of frustrating job searches beneath his belt, Daniel Shatzkes forged ahead with his plan to create a network that would link every last person and place involved in the independent music industry. Unique features came to him in dreams and brainstorming sessions at work yielded fantastic new ideas. SoundCentralStation.com was born. And it grew to be a site that is truly dedicated to the people it serves.

We invite you to visit, explore, search and experiment. But most importantly, we invite you to make your connection here.

About The Station Masters

Daniel Shatzkes, Founder & President
Daniel Shatzkes discovered his musical talent at the age of five when he realized that he could play anything he heard. With barely any formal instruction, Danny took up the piano, guitar, bass, drums, mandolin and some other eclectic instruments. He was truly in love with music. Initially setting his course to become a doctor, Danny procrastinated from his studies by practicing his instruments, composing new music and building a small home studio in his parents’ basement.

When the time came to make a career decision Danny knew that he could not sacrifice his talent and passion for a medical degree. He had already composed hundreds of songs and taught himself the ins and outs of audio recording. He quickly switched career paths and ended up with a Masters degree in Music Technology from New York University. He opened Harmony Studios in 2004 and began working with local independent artists and multimedia companies alongside teaching music at a middle school. However, his life dream of owning a full-blown, large-scale multimedia studio seemed unattainable.

Dissatisfied with the limits of his home-based studio and frustrated with his fruitless job search in the audio industry, Danny began to brainstorm. He wanted to be successful. He wanted to work in the audio world. He wanted to help others in his situation. In the Spring of 2007 Danny finally had the spark of an idea that seemed to have great potential. The spark ignited fast and before he knew it SoundCentralStation.com had been created.

Danny is immeasurably thankful to all those who supported, and continue to support him along his way to achieving his dream. SoundCentralStation.com was born out of the all-too-common situation of the struggling artist. With great sensitivity and understanding Danny seeks to improve upon the resources and networking opportunities for everyone in the independent music industry. This website is about music and people, the two things in life that Danny loves most.

Sally Shatzkes, Writer, Editor, Creative Team
As in any project in life Sally is Danny’s partner. Joining in marriage in 2004, Sally and Danny became partners in building a home, raising children, and shaping careers. It was only natural for Sally to be on board from the moment the idea of SoundCentralStation.com entered Danny’s mind.

A drama therapist working with children, Sally’s knowledge of the audio world comes primarily from Danny’s teaching. However, she considers herself a great and dedicated fan of independent music. When it comes to writing, editing, and brainstorming, though, Sally is a great asset to the website. With degrees from both Columbia University and New York University she has played an integral part in the creation of the site.

Most importantly Sally understands the complexities of rising from the frustrations of job searching and starting a business. She provides the emotional, psychological, and creative support needed for SoundCentralStation.com to thrive.