MEET OUR TEAM

Hailing from Central Minnesota, Kris Towne grew up surrounded by music and musicians. His parents owned a successful music store, where they put him to work at a young age - changing guitar strings, tuning violins, changing drum heads, and moving pianos all before he was a teenager. At 17 he won a national recording competition for BOSS/ROLAND (Best "Alternative" song recorded on Boss's "BR-8" digital recorder), and was flown out to NAMM to receive the award. This started him on his journey as a producer and engineer, continuing to record his own songs and local bands. In 2001 Kris moved across the country to San Diego, CA. Spearheading multiple rock bands that toured the country playing festivals like SXSW, and put out vinyl records on two different record labels. In 2013 he started taking recording more seriously, and made the move from working musician to full time engineer/producer at Capricorn Studios. Owner/operator of Capricorn Studios since 2015, Kris has continued to improve the space at Capricorn with gear upgrades, renovations and the ever-expanding mic locker. Just as important, he continues to ensure Capricorn's reputation as a creative haven, where artists can stretch out and feel comfortable expressing themselves. "Getting professional sound is obviously paramount for any studio or producer... but for me, it's also just as important to make sure that every single session is creatively comfortable, dynamic and fun for each client. At Capricorn we make sure that you not only walk out of the door with an impressive recording, but you walk out feeling excited and impressed with the entire experience."

John became interested in music and recording at a very young age. Originally from the Tri-State area on the east coast and has been a touring musician since age 15. Being a part of many musical projects over the past 20 years has helped him shape his style as a musician on multiple instruments. After moving to San Diego in 2007, he had begun recording his own projects and other bands around town, releasing a few albums and vinyls along the way. In 2016 he was welcomed to Capricorn Studios and has been the lead engineer since 2020. His skills have only improved since then and will continue to do so as a sound engineer/producer. John’s playful and creative nature always lends a supportive hand to his recording projects. “Making sure everyone is comfortable is a big priority for all of us at Capricorn Studios. Keeping things moving while everyone stays comfortable is key as it welcomes more creative ideas, communication, and positive attitudes. Of course, achieving top notch recording quality is our goal, I believe being a musician first can help get ideas across effectively in a professional environment.”

Bryan Stratman is an established figure in the San Diego music community with a reputation for professionalism, creativity, and community involvement. He is a music producer, writer, multi instrumentalist, recording engineer, and the founder of Capricorn Studios. Opened over 20 years ago, Stratman has worked with many notable artists and is known for his technical expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to helping artists achieve their creative vision. Stratman has also been actively involved in promoting and performing in the San Diego music scene, organizing festivals and events that showcase local talent. “When I moved to San Diego in 2000 I didn’t find a studio that had the vibe and quality that I was looking for, so I decided to build it. I had been recording and programming since I was a teen and making records for bands and artists I enjoyed. It was natural at that point to build a business that felt like collaborating on music with friends, but with top gear and inspiring atmosphere. It’s amazing to see that after all these years it’s is still pumping out great music and has become a fixture in the San Diego community.”

I’ve always known I wanted to be in a creatively rewarding career. I grew up moving a lot; Oakland to New York, then attending high school in Northern California. My dad is a guitarist, my mom a vocalist and songwriter. Watching them gave me a glimpse into the musician/recording life. I witnessed them build a small home studio in our upstate New York home - it was so exciting watching them record many of their songs! I moved to San Diego in 2017 for more opportunities. In 2021, I made the decision to dive into my passions and enroll in recording school, graduating with a diploma in the Recording Arts. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and how we can express our emotions through music. I hope to help others on their musical journey, and learn alongside them so that I can become a better engineer and producer.

I’m Chloe, I grew up in San Diego. I’ve always loved music and was exposed to a lot of 70s rock bands growing up like Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and David Bowie. They inspired me to learn guitar so I got an acoustic guitar and started playing covers of my favorite songs. I then began to write my own songs on guitar that are an alternative/indie folk style, influenced by artists like Mazzy Star and Elliot Smith. Constantly listening to different artists made me grow interested in the production of music and how different sounds are created. Working at Capricorn Studios has let me immerse myself in many different styles and the creation of music. I hope to get to a point in sound engineering and producing where I’m working with a diverse set of artists and am able to execute unique ideas into music.

Eric Neilson grew up in small-town New Hampshire and began his journey in music at 13 when he bought his first guitar. Inspired by legends like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Sting, and Pink Floyd, he started performing at open mics at 16 and quickly developed a passion for producing iconic sounds. In 2011, he pursued a Music and Sound Recording degree at the University of New Haven, where he also explored radio, TV, and film production. As student manager of WNHU, the college radio station, Neilson launched its first YouTube channel, organizing live-performance productions to showcase campus talent. An unexpected turn led Neilson into the U.S. Navy, where he gained extensive technical expertise in audio-visual equipment. Stationed in San Diego from 2015, he immersed himself in the local music scene, recording his first EP at Capricorn Studios in 2017. After completing his enlistment in 2020, Neilson stayed in San Diego and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from San Diego State University. Today, Neilson works as a live sound engineer and lighting designer at venues such as Moonshine Flats, Moonshine Beach, Good Night John Boy, the Casbah, and Lou Lou's. He also manages DharmaDen Sessions, a YouTube channel promoting San Diego’s independent artists through the "TunedUp Live!" video series. Neilson aspires to grow DharmaDen into a recognized brand and eventually establish a cannabis café music venue hybrid. With a passion for capturing the essence of live performances, Neilson is dedicated to creating high-quality listening experiences and professional audio-video content that highlights the talent of his fellow songwriters.

Maurice Beighker is a versatile and innovative music producer known for blending genres and pushing creative boundaries. With a unique ear for sound, he has earned a reputation for crafting tracks that resonate with listeners and stand out in the ever-evolving music industry. Whether working in hip-hop, pop, or indie, Beighk’s ability to experiment with new sonic textures and push musical limits has made him a sought-after collaborator for emerging artists and established stars alike. Visit www.audiiotrap.com for more info.