Music and radio production house Bar1 has opened in New York. The company’s founders are Joe Barone, Jill Cheris, Tim Leitner, Dawn Mjoen, and Donna Barone, all formerly of McHale Barone.
“The name comes in part from the idea that we set the bar high for ourselves,” said Barone. “We also all have an affinity for mixing drinks and working for tips.” In fact, the quote is indicative of Bar1’s dual commitment to good work and good fun. High-profile, award-winning projects for clients and agencies such as Budweiser, Snickers, Cingular, NTRA, DirecTV, DeVito Verdi, DDB, BBDO and others litter their resume. Their website features a staff video and a new-logo contest, complete with a $5000.00 prize (as Barone explains in the video, in reference to their current logo: “Never hire the Amish to create a logo, they have no access to the Internet and they don’t have Photoshop.”).
A similar spirit pervades the company’s close-knit staff, which shuns official titles. “Technically, Jill is a producer, but she’s equally adept at representing the company,” explains Barone. “Dawn is a casting director, but she can contribute to production. Donna handles financial affairs and is quick to lend a hand with client services. Tim’s our Head Engineer, but will also direct talent and punch up scripts.” Barone’s point is that the team has worked together for years, and has developed a shorthand that functions like clockwork. The Bar1 group is also distinguished in that it shares vast experience in original and licensed music, radio spot production, media buying ‘ every point on the advertising and production spectrum.
“Most people don’t know how to produce for radio,” said Barone, explaining that it’s a simple medium technically, but complicated creatively. “We’re a very visual society. A picture is worth a thousand words ‘ in radio, that’s a lot of words to make up for.”
Barone added that radio is a foundation for understanding the visual medium, which assists with original compositions for broadcast spot projects and extends to long form. Among his credits in that arena is the animated short “The Back Brace,” for which he co-wrote and produced the soundtrack. The film was screened at nearly two dozen festivals worldwide, won a slew of awards, and is currently showing in the Tribeca Film Festival.
“From mixing Springsteen to creating advertising, we have every set of ears you would need in the studio for an audio project. Our aural sense has received years of training. There are a bunch of companies who do what we do,” Barone concludes. “I’ve been told we do it better than anyone else.”
www.bar1nyc.com