Will Mason wins the 2019 MPG LIPA Prize

26 July 2019 - Press release

LIPA graduate Will Mason has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Music Producers Guild Prize, which brings with it a host of benefits including work experience with award-winning professionals, studio equipment and financial support. 

Now in its ninth year, the Music Producers Guild Prize rewards the most promising student to graduate from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) Sound Technology degree programme. The prize includes opportunities to gain experience with leading engineers and producers, including MPG Recording Engineer of the Year 2019, Matt Wiggins, whose credits include Adele and London Grammar. Mason also has the chance to attend recording sessions at London’s legendary Strongroom studios, which has hosted everyone from the Prodigy to Hot Chip, and won the MPG Award for Studio of the Year 2019. 

Originally from Leek in Staffordshire, Mason first got into music when his dad taught him to play the drums as a youngster, but admits that he is mainly self-taught. Mason quit his job as an IT technician to join LIPA after being inspired by the success of recent graduate Rich Turvey who now works out of Liverpool’s famous  Parr Street studios.  

“I had 2 friends who were graduates.Both were working in their chosen fields fairly soon after graduating which was really reassuring to me. I wanted to surround myself with similarly minded and talented people, I knew LIPA would offer this and I wasn’t wrong “.

Some highlights of the course included visiting seminars by Nile Rodgers and legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers producer Andrew Scheps. “ 

Mason was presented with his Prize by MPG Representatives and LIPA Companions Tony Platt and Steve Levine, during LIPA’s annual graduation ceremony, which took place on July 26th. 

“Once again I’m thrilled to be presenting, along with fellow record producer Tony Platt, this years MPG LIPA prize.Having had many of this years students attend masterclasses at my own Liverpool based recording studio,I can honestly say that each year the standard gets higher and higher. For Will to be selected by his peers is a real testament to his skills, and enthusiastic approach to recording and production ” says Steve Levine. 

Mason’s future plans include setting up a production hub and he cites Arctic Monkeys producer James Ford as a  role model: “ He’s source of constant inspiration for me as a local lad ‘done well’.”  said Mason 

MPG Executive Director, Olga FitzRoy, said "We're proud to sponsor this award, as it will give the winner the opportunity to learn from the best talent in the industry. We hope that this, combined with PPL's generous support will give talented students from all backgrounds a real boost in this competitive field".

The prize also includes an AMS Neve 1073 Mic Pre, a visit to Avid’s UK Headquarters, one year’s associate membership of the MPG, and tickets to the exclusive MPG Awards ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.