Shyralee Mitchell - Owner, artist, harpist, vocalist

I feel my meandering path to ESC was the perfect preparation for helping others bring their musical vision to fruition, no matter where they are in the journey. I know the theory and have the talent, skills and tools, but the breadth of my musical perspective may be my biggest asset.  

A jazz and classical saxophonist born and raised in Helena, I studied music composition, political science, and French at the University of Montana. During and after college, I spent three years teaching English at universities in France. I played sax in a local reggae band, but I spent more time jamming with random flamenco guitarists and rappers along the Garonne than I did ‘seriously’ working on my music. 

Then I spent twelve years in Germany, mostly in Berlin. The world capital of electronic music inspired me to begin producing. With no formal training, I learned to make professional-quality house and techno, and began saving my best work for release. ‘Poor, but Saxy’ and ‘Chamber music’ (due in August) were conceived. I was featured on the groundbreaking artist Portrait XO’s AI album, ‘The Wire’. She and I also supported Alexandr London for his performance at Red Bull Studios Berlin in 2019. 

When my sister Shyralee contacted me about producing her spiritual, harp-based folk the same year, after trying and failing with several local producers, I wasn’t sure I had the right skill set. Magic happened anyway, and the seed of ESC was planted. During the pandemic, I returned home to Montana. Two years later, Shy’s astounding first album is nearing completion, I’ve released my first album and have another coming in August, we founded a music studio, and I’m producing music full-time. I’m formalizing my production and sound engineer training through a state-of-the-art, collaborative program by Mastering.com.

Life is splendid, and the winding path here has formed me fully to do this work.  I specialize in house, techno, jazz, jazz fusion, and folk, but I’ve worked in genres as diverse as classical and hip hop.