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Matthew Shell

Matthew Shell (also known as MTS), is a music producer and engineer. Based in Washington DC, his versatile production style spans genres as wide as jazz and rock, to RnB and soul. Matthew writes and produces music released as solo productions under his own name, as well as for other bands and solo artists. He is the founder and CEO of publishing house and record label MTS Music.

Shell’s work on the production for Marcus Johnson’s album Flo: Chill reached #7 on Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Chart in 2009. Later that year he worked as the engineer on O.A.R.’s album Rain or Shine that reached #5 on the Independent Albums Chart and also #7 on the US Alternative Albums Chart. In 2011, his work on Grammy Nominee Carolyn Malachi’s Beautiful Dreamer was featured on FOX 5 DC Morning News.

Shell's early productions include "Rhythmic Journey" LP (2003), "Live Vibe: The Humble Beginnings" EP (2005), "Film Music: Inspiration For The Jaded Generation" LP (2008), "Time For Prayer" EP (2009), and his collaboration with Kenny McNeil titled "Dare 2 Dream" LP (2010)

Shell’s career as a Recording Artist took off in 2012 when "Freedom", his collaboration with Trey Eley was launched by the Recording Academy via a Worldwide Exclusive First Listen at GRAMMY.com in 2012. The album was also featured as one of Generation Bass’ Top Albums for 2012.

In 2013, Shell collaborated with Arun Shenoy on "Genesis", a jazz instrumental which received massive airplay as the lead single on the full length album, "Victorious". The video for "Genesis" was released via Steven Slate's youtube channel in a cross- promotion for the Raven MTX multi-touch control surface.

In 2014, Shell released a single "My Baby" in association with DJ Flexx. The song featuring the vocal talents of IhsAn Bilal, Honore’ & D.C. Don Juan was a song Shell co-wrote and produced for his wife, Terra.

Shell released his follow-up to Victorious in 2015 titled "Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning". The music on the album was conceived over a 15 year period. During this process, over 200 songs were created and scratched before this final version of 11 songs were picked to be recorded and release as part of this project. Shell’s wife, Terra, inspired the completion of this concept album which goes from two destined souls being alone, to meeting, to growing in love, to protecting each other, to finding true love that lasts a lifetime.

2016 marked the release of the single "Sparkle" an ambitious collaboration between Matthew Shell and fellow Omega Studios grad Tyrone Johnson (aka Commoninterst) featuring cellist Yoed Nir, guitarist Ziv Shalev, and drummer Glenn Grossman. Commoninterest's elctronic production style fused with Shell's multi-instrumentalist arrangement style will be explored further in future single releases.

The Groove Project: Volume 1: Flights of Fantasy

Read "Volume 1: Flights of Fantasy" reviewed by Robin B James

by Robin B James
July 12, 2020

Refreshing, new and innovative compositions from producer and guitarist Arun Shenoy and his eight-piece ensemble, The Groove Project. What you will hear is upbeat and energizing, good for keeping your pace up while exercising, running and powering through the day, and plenty left over for moving all night on the dance floor. There are some tracks where the groove relaxes and you can feel the tension fade away. There is diversity here, and inventiveness and creativity. There is emotion in ...

In The Biz

Matthew Shell: Making Art with Substance

by Kathy Sanborn
April 2, 2017

Matthew Shell is a Washington, D.C.-based music producer and engineer. Founder and CEO of publishing house and record label MTS Music, Shell writes and produces music for his own solo releases as well as for bands and other solo artists. Currently working on an hour-long jazz opus, “First Light," Shell shares his upbeat philosophy of life and music success tips with our readers. All About Jazz: In this changing world of the music business, how ...

“Title: GRAMMY.com Exclusive First Listen: Trey Eley And Matthew Shell — Quote: Jazz duo debuts new song "Twilight" featuring Greg Adams from new album Freedom only on GRAMMY.com...Hailing from Washington, D.C., Shell is currently based in Vienna, Va., where he works as a producer at Assembly Line Studios. He has produced artists such as Marcus Johnson and Carolyn Malachi and engineered for artists such as O.A.R., among others. More recently, Shell produced/mixed the forthcoming collaborative jazz album Freedom.”

GRAMMY.com Exclusive First Listen - (GRAMMY.com)

“Title: Matthew Shell: Engineering Success — Quote: It’s not often that you hear about the engineers that make the magic happen in the studio. Yet, recently Generation Bass ran an interview with Matthew Shell, an engineer and producer based out of Washington DC who has been behind some truly unique and creative projects. His sensibilities range, but have a strong center in jazz and R&B. With that, Shell has blossomed into quite an amazing producer. Check out his story and a sampling of tracks he has worked on over at Generation Bass.” Eric Sandler/The Revivalist - (OkayPlayer.com)

GRAMMY.com Exclusive First Listen - (GRAMMY.com)

“Title: Selena Gomez Goes GoGo in New Single — Quote: Jason Kidd, the program director, asked WPGC’s DJ Flexx to produce a gogo version of the hit. In a quick turnaround, DJ Flexx enlisted 4DC Music Group and Matthew Shell to help put together the track. The song has already become the new rave of the city.” WPGC 95.5 FM - (WPGC.com)

“SiriusXM Radio Interview on the Maggie Linton Show — Quote: We begin this with a couple of people following their passion for music. Matthew Shell, aka MTS, is a music producer and engineer and is founder and CEO of the publishing house and record label MTS Music. IhsAn Bilal is a vocal artist and writer...Her album T.E.A.L. hit the iTunes hot 200 for R&B.” Maggie Linton - (Maggie Linton Show on SiriusXM Radio)

“Title: Grammy Nominated Artist Carolyn Malachi Reveals that a Little Support and Faith Can Go a Long Way — Quote: Grammy nominated artist Carolyn Malachi came back to our studio to hit us with her new single "Beautiful Dreamer." Getting a lot of buzz, Carolyn Malachi's "Beautiful Dreamer" is an inspiring account of overcoming incredible odds and living a passionate life.” Allison Seymour - (Fox 5 News DC)

“Title: WPFW 89.3 FM interview on Evening Jazz with Keanna Faircloth — Quote: On this edition of Evening Jazz, Keanna Faircloth's interviews the team behind the 'My Baby' music video, including producer/songwriter Matthew Shell, story treatment writer Terra Tuono-Shell, singer/songwriter IhsAn Bilal, singer/songwriter Reginald Honore, co-producer Jerome Lawrence, marketing expert/actor Andres Escobar and the video's director/editor Joseph Mobley.” Keanna Faircloth - (Evening Jazz on WPFW 89.3 FM)

“Hybrid Jazz Radio interview with Trish Hennessey — Quote: The only thing wrong with this song [Dance Shake] is that I want it five minutes longer.” Trish Hennessey - (Hybrid Jazz Radio)

“Matthew Shell – Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning — Quote: This album showcases much of the incredibly gifted musical artists that Matthew Shell has written for and produced over the past few years. It shows his diversity as a producer, writer and musician... With songs like "My Baby" and the soundtrack song "Crime Never Sleeps", "Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning" is truly a powerful work of musical art that fills me with euphoria and comforts me.” John Newell aka El Guero Unico - (The Global Bass Experience)

“Matthew Shell Drops A Sonic Beauty — Quote: Virginia based musician and producer Matthew Shell has recently released a new album, “Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning“, and it is beautiful from start to finish. It is evident when listening to the project that countless hours were put into each track. With crisp and clear sound quality, beautiful arrangements and instrumentation, Matt takes the album in a number of musical directions.” Brian Delaney - (RockDaFuqOut)

“Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning (Album Review) - - Quote: And if you listen to contemporary pop music, you can go a long time before hearing a tune that has the complex and tight vocal harmonies heard on the Matthew Shell’s new project Spiritual Relationship: The Deeper Meaning.” Howard Dukes - (Soul Tracks)

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Washington

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Omega Studios' School - Rockville, MD January 2014 to Present Adjunct Faculty • Created music business curriculum for adult learners • Taught classes and introduced students to experts in applicable fields • Developed concepts, principles, and methods for effectively communicating and connecting with listeners