About Us

Okay, first off: there is no “us,” it’s just me: Matthew. I don’t want to give a false impression that Hometown Sound is something bigger than it really is. My operation is small, and I intend to keep it that way.

Background

I’ve been a musician and independent sound engineer for over 10 years, although I’ve been involved in music since I was a child.

I first got into sound engineering around 2015 when I was brought on as a member of the band, “Jeska Bailey and The Platform Souls.” I attended every rehearsal and learned every song, but I didn’t play an instrument. I even attended gigs where sound services were already provided, so I wasn’t on duty, but I was committed to the team.

I developed a sort of intimate attachment to those musicians their songs — I know what every instrument and vocal parts was supposed to sound like, I knew where all the solos were, and I knew the dynamics of each musician. So when it was time to perform a live show, I knew exactly how to bring out their sound. And we rocked.

I learned a lot in those early years. And the more I experienced, the more I had to learn, and I never settled for the “what” without the “why.”

Overall, running sound isn’t not about “riding faders” or making it loud — being a sound engineer is an art, and the only way it works is if you’re as passionate as the artists are about their sound. And here’s the rub: even the best sound engineer can’t make a band sound better than they are, but he can certainly ruin it very easily. That’s a very powerful thought, and one that I use to remind myself of just how much of a responsibility it is for an artist to entrust you with their sound.

Through that experience, I met a lot of local musicians, and over the years since then, I’ve been called upon many times to run sound for all kinds of local bands. And I’ve loved every minute of it.

Inception

At almost every gig for which I’ve run sound, I’ve been asked some variation of one of these questions:

• What’s the name of your company?
• Do you have a business card?
• A friend of mine plays in another band, can I share your number?

I always felt so honored when a musician thought highly enough of my work that he or she wanted to call me back someday or stay in touch. Unfortunately, in every instance my response was the same: “No, there is no company name or business card, I’m just a guy with a passion for live music.”

Well, during the last quarter of 2025, I decided to change that, and I formed Hometown Sound LLC. I chose that name as a way to highlight my San Angelo roots, my focus on our community, and my commitment to serving all musicians as if I were their own band member.

Mission

My mission is to give every artist, whether emerging or established, the confidence to perform their best through quality audio production with care, precision, and professionalism. Hometown Sound is built on a passion for live music, a deep respect for the craft, and a commitment to ensuring the audience not only hears the performance, but feels it.

There are two well-established audio production companies here in San Angelo: Western Audio Works and Tradewind Sound, and I have no desire nor intent to compete with them or cut into their market share. In fact, Hometown Sound is not a money-making endeavor — this really is for the love of music, not the money.