WCA #611 with Scott McDowell – Berklee, California vs New York, Getting Fired, Becoming a Studio Partner, and Getting Hit by a Car

Scott McDowell is a producer, engineer, and co-owner of Wally's Hydeout at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco. In episode 611 they talk about getting fired from his first SF internship, becoming a studio partner at Wally’s Hydeout, surviving COVID, getting hit by a car in March 2026, recovering from a TBI, and why every freelancer in California needs to sign up for state disability insurance before something happens.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Co-owning a Studio, Making Records, and Working in Game AudioGrowing Up in Novato — North Marin CountyA Broadcast Engineer DadWorking Niners Games on the SidelineHeading to Berklee for TrumpetA Hernia That Ended the Trumpet Career and Started the Recording OneCity College SF, SF Soundworks, and Getting FiredJohn Vanderslice, Tiny Telephone, and the Referral to Justin PhelpsInterning at Hyde Street Studios With Justin Phelps and Jaimeson DurrFilling the Calendar for Six Months to Avoid Being Replaced — Then Getting Made a PartnerThe CDR Run That He Thought Was a FiringEight Years of Game AudioCOVID SurvivalGetting Hit by a Car in NorthridgeThe TBI, the Wheelchair, and Coming BackCalifornia Disability Insurance Elective Coverage — Why Every Freelancer Should Sign Up

Matt's RANT!: Accumulation

Links and Show Notes:

Fader Solo: https://fadersolo.com/California Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (EDD): https://edd.ca.gov/en/payroll_taxes/Disability_Insurance_Elective_Coverage/WCA #082 with Justin Phelps: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-082-justin-phelps/WCA #211 with Jaimeson Durr: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-211-with-jaimeson-durr/WCA #047 with John Vanderslice: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-047-with-john-vanderslice/

Credits:

Guest: Scott McDowellHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith