At MelodyMatch, we’re dedicated to spotlighting the creatives who shape sound behind the scenes—the producers, engineers, and studio owners who make it all possible. This time, Angie caught up with Annie Rew Shaw—a producer, songwriter, and artist whose journey weaves between performance, production, and deep emotional connection. Whether she’s performing under her artist alias Austel or empowering others through her studio work, Annie is making waves in the independent music space—on her own terms.
How did you get into music and what led you to start getting into production?
Music has always been part of Annie’s world. “I’ve been doing music for as long as I can remember,” she shares. “I started writing songs in my early teens, and when I was 19, I moved to London and began working as a session musician—recording and performing live with multiple bands.”
Her solo work as Austel brought her to new creative heights, culminating in the release of her self-produced debut album, Dead Sea, just last year. While she had always dabbled with production—especially while creating her own demos—things shifted in 2020.
That year, Annie joined 2% Rising, an online community designed to support and amplify female and non-binary producers. “That space gave me the confidence to call myself a producer,” she says. It also led to further opportunities, including a short engineering course with Omnii Collective, which later inspired her to pursue an MA in Creative Music Production at ICMP—which she graduated from last year.
Now, Annie has her own studio space and works with a growing number of production and mix clients.
What kind of artists do you usually work with?
Annie’s production clients so far have been largely singer-songwriters—but within that category, the range is wide. “I’ve worked across styles from folk to jazz to alt-pop,” she explains. “I’d love to start working with more bands too.”
But beyond genre, Annie brings a clear ethos to the table: creating a safe, inclusive studio environment. “That’s a really important part of my practice,” she says. “I’m proud to provide a positive, empowering experience for my clients—particularly those from marginalised groups.”
It’s about more than just music. It’s about space, care, and trust.
Any memorable studio moments that stand out?
One moment stands above the rest: a writing camp at Limusic Studios in the South of France.
“Honestly, it was the dreamiest studio I’ve ever worked in,” she says. “Gorgeous buildings, amazing equipment, surrounded by vineyards… it was magic.”
More than the setting, though, it was the experience—collaborating, creating, and immersing in a beautiful space that nurtured creativity on every level. “Very grateful for that one,” she smiles.
What were some of your earliest influences or inspirations in music?
Annie grew up in a household rich with sound—her parents’ music collection offering everything from Beethoven to Van Morrison, The Clash to Eva Cassidy. Eva, in particular, had a lasting impact. “She delivers so much emotion and plays with dynamics so powerfully,” Annie says. “She’s been a huge influence on my singing.”
Other key inspirations include Bon Iver, The National, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Joni Mitchell, and Cocteau Twins—artists known for their emotional depth and sonic innovation. One vivid memory stands out: hearing This Mortal Coil’sSong to the Siren for the first time at age 14. “I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard.”
That deep emotional pull still defines the music Annie creates and the artists she works with today.
At MelodyMatch, we’re proud to shine a light on producers like Annie Rew Shaw—artists who aren’t just making music, but also building environments where others can thrive creatively.
MelodyMatch is an online marketplace designed to connect independent artists with recording studios, producers, and engineers that fit their needs and budget. Our platform simplifies the search and booking process, offering a curated list of studios with clear pricing, available engineers, and genre specializations.
But more than just a marketplace, we’re building a community. We believe in investing back into the artist ecosystem, and our blog is a core part of that mission. Through exclusive features and behind-the-scenes stories, we’re showcasing the people and spaces that bring music to life.
We’d love to have you be part of it.
If you’re a studio, engineer, or producer, there’s also an opportunity to sign up as a service provider on our platform—making it easier for artists to discover and book your services directly.
Let’s collaborate and build something incredible together.
Join Our Community
Enter your email below to join the waiting list for the launch of MelodyMatch!
Leave a Reply