About

Ben Rice is a music producer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter known for cultivating a supportive environment in which artists can authentically express their creative visions.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rice developed his musical sensibilities amidst the vibrant and diverse soundscape of New York City. Growing up, he was influenced by rock & roll, country, and soul, as well as Brit-pop and shoegaze bands. During the early 2000s, Rice played in several bands that were part of the New York indie rock revival, landing a record deal with Lizard King/WMG. 

His experience playing in bands led to working with and being mentored by producers Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin), Gus Van Go (The Beaches, Metric), and later, Youth (Paul McCartney, The Verve). Fascinated by the record-making process, Rice began producing his friends and local musicians in a DIY studio in his family's basement, which grew to host sessions with artists ranging from The Mooney Suzuki to Lenny Kaye. In 2012, he opened Degraw Sound, a recording studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn, which is his home base for working with artists.

Speaking to Relix about their work there together on her most recent album, Nobody Owns You, Joan Osborne described Rice’s style: “He has a very calm and thorough approach to what he does, whether that’s writing, producing, getting an overdub on a track or whatever it is. He’s very centered and calm – you get this feeling that no one’s in a rush and we’re going to take as much time as we need to do this.”

Rice also received praise for his work on “Colors,” from Valerie June’s album The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers. The album reached #1 on the Americana Chart and earned an Americana Award nomination for Album of the Year, with Rice himself receiving a nomination for Producer of the Year. His production style has been described as “Americana through a Brooklyn filter” by Brooklyn Magazine, and Rolling Stone lauded "Colors" for its “innovative blend of banjo, strings, and pop drum loops.”

Always excited to collaborate with up-and-coming artists, he was among the first to hear the potential in The Skins, producing and mixing their first EP – a project that set them on the path to being signed by Rick Rubin. Other notable collaborations include co-producing and mixing The National's version of “Im Glück” for the 50th anniversary of NEU!'s debut album, and producing and mixing The Candles’ album Matter + Spirit, which features Norah Jones on the duet “Move Along”.  He has mixed for James Bay, Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds), and Nicole Atkins. 

Comfortable collaborating with both new and well-established artists, Rice recently worked with Northern Soul legends The Flirtations, producing, co-writing, and mixing their comeback album Still Sounds Like The Flirtations. After falling in love with their 1969 hit, “Nothing But A Heartache,” Rice sought out the group and helmed the project, which features the Dap King Horns and the song “Memories,” co-written with Stevie Wonder.

In addition to his work as a producer, mixer, and songwriter, Rice has collaborated with pop producers seeking organic sounds for their recordings. He has played guitar on tracks for artists like Meghan Trainor, Ben Platt and the Jonas Brothers, including their Billboard #1 hit “Like It’s Christmas.” As a performer, Rice has toured internationally, opening for Arctic Monkeys, Band of Skulls, The Bravery, Brendan Benson, Steel Train, and Killing Joke. 

With extensive experience both in the studio and on the stage, Rice’s work embodies a deep commitment to the music-making process and he is dedicated to helping artists make space for their creativity.

Degraw Sound, Brooklyn, New York