Jack and Ryan sit down with Ruairi O’Flaherty, the mastering engineer behind tracks for some of music’s biggest names. Ruairi shares his emotion-first mastering philosophy, revealing how he stays open and available to the music—whether working on chart-topping records for Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter or championing intimate indie projects. He walks us through his career journey, explores how he skillfully balances high-profile clients with underground artistry, and explains his commitment to being present and responsive to every sound. From mastering for major artists to nurturing emerging talent, Ruairi underscores what it really means to practice good listening, and to make it feel like the record is truly done. In the Patreon-exclusive edition, Ruairi dives deeper into his admiration for Daniel Lanois, sharing insights into Lanois’s music, influence, and a heartfelt personal story from when they connected while Ruairi was living in Ireland. HUGE thank you to our guest for this episode Ruairi O'Flaherty!
Hosts: Jack Conte, Ryan Lerman
Guest: Ruairi O'Flaherty
Executive Producer: Ryan Lerman
Production Managers: Rachel McGowan, Phineas Alexander
Audio: Jack Light
Theme Music Mixed by: Caleb Parker