IN THE NEWS
Chicago Reader: "Classick Studios expands into the Soundscape space" - 2023
InsideHook: "What Will Chicago’s Music Scene Look Like After Coronavirus?", 2020
Vice: "Coronavirus Has Left Recording Studios in Limbo", 2020
ABC7 News: “Chicago recording studio helps local musicians create music, make money amid COVID-19”, 2020
Michigan Avenue Magazine: “Insider Info”, 2020
Fox 32 Chicago: “Sonic Summit 2020 teaches professional recording for audiophiles of all levels”, 2020
WGN TV: “Around Town visits Soundscape Studios to talk about Sonic Summit: 2020”, 2020
WCIU: “Inside the world of music”, 2020
Sophisticated Living Magazine: “Mark Your Calendar”, 2020
Dynasty Podcasts: “Chicagoverse - Michael Kolar (Soundscape Studios)”, 2020
Mild Sauce: “Mild Sauce Live with Mike Kolar of Soundscape Studios”, 2020
Consequence of Sound: "The Come Up: Closed Sessions", 2018
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago Artists of the Year”, 2016
Forbes Magazine: “Closed Sessions: The Independent Record Label Restoring Chicago Hip-Hop“, 2016
Chicago Tribune: "Chicago's Closed Session opens hip-hop doors", 2016
Redeye Chicago: "Where stars are born", 2014
dailymotion: “Curren$y's Intimate Studio Session in The Windy City- On The Road”, 2013
Chicago Reader: "Closed Sessions opens up Chicago hip-hop", 2012
AWARDS
SAE Institute: "Production Specialist of the Year”, 2019
Michael Kolar has garnered over 1 billion streams worldwide of his recordings and mixes
Chingy: "Powerballin", Platinum RIAA album sales award
Chingy: "Hoodstar", Gold RIAA album sales award
Ludacris: "Georgia", Gold RIAA single sales award
Ludacris: "Red Light District", 2x Multi-Platinum album RIAA sales award
Ludacris: "Presents Disturbing tha Peace", Gold RIAA album sales award
Ludacris: "Release Therapy", Platinum RIAA Album sales award
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Tour Assistant + Sound Engineer: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, 2001-2002
Vice President: Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago (EARS), 2007-2009
Co-founder: Closed Sessions, 2009-2021
Founder + Head Engineer: Soundscape Recording Studios, 1997-Present
AFFILIATIONS
Voting Member Since 2010: The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Recording Academy)
Professional Member: The Engineering And Recording Society of Chicago (EARS)
Member: Audio Engineering Society (AES)
Member: National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
Professional Advisory Committee Member (2017 to 2023): SAE Institute Chicago
SPEAKING + PRESENTATIONS
Lab Host + Presenter: Chicago Ideas, Chicago Ideas Week, 2019
Speaker: Career Day, Golder College Prep, 2019
GrammyU Event: 2014 - 2019
Presenter/Speaker: “MONDAYS”, Gensler Chicago, October 2019
Presenter/Speaker: Apple Talk for Apple Music Month, Apple Michigan Avenue, October 2015
Presenter/Speaker: Arthur Dixon Elementary School Career Day March, 2013
Substitute Faculty: Columbia College Chicago
EDUCATION
Columbia College Chicago: BA, Audio Arts & Acoustics, June 2002
KOLAR AT WORK
WEB DESIGN: SITES BY SIX4