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Based out of Orb Recording Studios in South Austin, Kelsey Flanagan is a multifaceted music producer, audio engineer, vocal coach, and songwriter. With a process rooted in collaboration, she helps artists develop their sound from the earliest concept to a fully realized, professional release. Whether guiding overall project production focusing on song structure, tone selection, and emotional delivery, or, refining a vocal performance, Kelsey brings technical expertise and a deep understanding of artistry to every session, viewing the studio process as equal parts technical precision, creative vulnerability, and human connection.
Her commitment to supporting the music community extends beyond her studio work. Kelsey is a member of The Recording Academy where she contributes and votes in the Grammy Awards and serves on their Producers & Engineers committee where she focuses on industry advocacy, creator rights, and cultural initiatives. She is also on the advisory board of The SIMS Foundation, helping advance mental health and substance abuse recovery resources to the music community in Austin and its surrounding areas.
Kelsey’s discography spans alternative rock, country, R&B, Americana, pop, and beyond, with roles ranging from songwriter and tracking engineer to lead producer. She has worked with a dynamic range of clients earning success across the charts from rising Texas artists to nationally recognized acts. Some of her credits include nolo, Alpha Rev, Quentin, STARMOTHER, Leven Rambin, Western Gringa, Grace Sorenson, Avara, Adam David, Crobot, Blue October, Amanda Nelson, Parker Ryan, and a supergroup featuring members from Avril Lavigne, BABYMETAL, and Black Veil Brides.
A first-generation Irish-American, Kelsey was introduced to music at age five when her grandmother taught her to read and play music. Kelsey’s career path wasn’t just shaped by passion, it evolved from early independence and a strong work ethic. Skipping traditional college right out of high school to jump straight into the working music industry, she spent five years teaching music to hundreds of students, writing and performing her own original music, and managing her own freelance career. Originally picking up audio engineering as a tool to record her own material, her passion shifted toward pre-production, vocal arrangement, tracking, and helping other artists stay organized and empowered in the studio. After relocating to Austin in 2020 and connecting with Orb Recording Studios, Kelsey earned her place as a core staff producer and engineer.
Blue October
Alpha Rev
Levin Rambin
Grace Sorenson
Parken Ryan
Crobot
nolo
Quentin
STARMOTHER
Amanda Nelson
Western Gringa
Avara
+ a supergroup with members of Avril Lavigne, BABYMETAL & Black Veil Brides. Roles from songwriter and tracking engineer to lead producer, across alt rock, country, R&B, Americana and pop.
We had the pleasure of working with Kelsey as both a producer and an engineer for our album Disco Punk is Dead by STARMOTHER. As a producer, Kelsey is patient, encouraging, kind, and collaborative. She aims to make the best record for the artist, and she’s accomplished in multiple different genres. As an engineer, Kelsey is the fastest and most proficient person working with Pro Tools that we’ve ever seen. Kelsey’s speed and ease with the technology means you have more time to record music without wasting time inside a computer program. She’s dope. Bet.
-Jackson & Sheila Rathbone, STARMOTHER
Kelsey is very likely the hardest working person I know, but you’d never know it cause she’s consistently comfortable to be around. As an engineer, producer, Pro Tools wizard, and occasionally band therapist, she’s an absolute boss. I have great respect for her and her dedication to not only creating high quality music, but also to finding ways to support her community. Kelsey is a pivotal figure in the ATX music scene, and I’m honored to call her a frequent collaborator.
-Nathaniel Earl, nolo
Kelsey is incredibly creative but what makes her stand out is that she’s equally as technical and knowledgeable in the studio. She’s patient, collaborative & really takes the time to understand what you’re trying to create rather than imposing her own vision on it. She meets you where you are, listens to what you want and need & knows exactly when to make a suggestion or push something creatively when she feels it might make the song better.
Beyond being an incredible engineer + producer, she is an amazing human to work with! I genuinely feel lucky to have her behind my music.
-Amanda Nelson
Kelsey Flanagan is a dream to work with. She creates a safe environment for creativity all while being an exceptional sound engineer. She listens deeply, and is determined to help bring your artistic vision to life. She is also just a wonderful human being to spend time with. I absolutely love every minute I spend with Kelsey. She is reliable, hardworking, and consistently delivers incredible work. Since she is a songwriter, singer, producer, engineer, and vocal coach she is able to nurture the creative process of a song from start to finish. I can’t recommend her enough.
-Shiloh Lovell
"Kelsey is an exceptional producer, combining technical expertise with great creative vision. Her versatility and attention to detail make her a go-to for all of my projects."
-Matty Reilly, Avril Lavigne
vocal coaching
What is pre production and how does it save you time and money?
Pre-production is where you and I sit down together to refine your song(s) before we schedule studio time. During this process, we cover:
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References: What inspiration do you have for the overall sound and vision of the music?
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Structure: Does the song flow naturally? Are there parts we should cut, extend, or rearrange?
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Key & Tempo: Do the key and tempo feel completely right for the performance?
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Instrumentation & Voicings: What are the primary instruments? What elements should enter or exit, and what tonal qualities are we aiming for?
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Personnel: Who across our combined networks will play each instrument? Who will be a good fit for mixing and mastering?
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Demo & Scratch Tracks: In some cases, we may record a quick demo or scratch track to map out the song and lock down ideas ahead of time.
Investing time in pre-production saves you significant time and money in the end. When official studio time begins, with the room paid for, microphones live, and session musicians on the clock, we will have a clear, aligned vision so everyone knows their exact role without wasting valuable session time.
field guide
Finding a producer in Austin who gets your sound
It’s no secret Austin has a plethora of talented and accomplished producers in every corner. It can be a rare and special thing when you find one who gets you, because the best fit for your friend's band might not be the right fit for yours.
The key is finding someone who listens to your vision first, respects your identity, and knows how to enhance your sound rather than reshape it into something else. Look for a producer whose communication style matches yours, whose portfolio shows versatility, and who is willing to make sure you're both aligned on the creative direction.
Studio days can easily stretch into 10 or 12 hour sessions filled with repetition, intense focus, and moments of vulnerability. Because you will be spending long hours with your producer, personality fit is just as vital as technical expertise. When the personal energy in the control room feels natural and collaborative, long sessions will feel inspiring rather than draining, keeping morale high and bringing out the best possible output from everyone involved.
tips for artists
How to prepare your vocals for a recording sessions
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Hydrate starting the day before the session, not just the morning of.
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Get plenty of rest and protect your voice the day before by avoiding loud environments and unnecessary strain.
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Avoid iced beverages, dairy and alcohol on studio days. Warm tea with honey and water are key.
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Warm up for a few minutes before hitting the mic- we can do this together.
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Know your lyrics and core melodies ahead of time. This way, we can focus on tone, getting the right delivery, and creative choices like harmonies and vocal layering.
in the press — TRCOA guest speaker · Bold Journey · Voyage Austin · Canvas Rebel