Peter Katis


Peter Katis is a Grammy Award-winning American record producer, audio engineer, mixer, and musician.
Katis is best known for working with alternative and indie rock bands. He works primarily out of his own residential studio, , in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Personal Life

Peter Katis was born in New York City in April 1966. He is the eldest son of Dr. Lauma Katis and Dr. James Katis, both psychiatrists. His brothers are Tom Katis and Tarquin Katis.
Katis attended New Canaan Country School and Greenwich High School, both in Connecticut. He graduated from the University of Vermont having majored in Visual Arts and minored in English. He also attended and then taught studio production classes at SUNY Purchase in New York.
Katis lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife, Ann Risen Katis, and their son, Will.

Music Career

Peter Katis's music career began in the late 1980s with The Philistines Jr., an experimental pop band composed of Katis, his brother Tarquin Katis, and their friend Adam Pierce. The band's first gig was an opening spot for Phish in front of a sparse crowd on the campus of the University of Vermont.
The Philistines Jr.'s early albums - Greenwich, CT and The Continuing Struggle of The Philistines Jr. —received critical acclaim and charted on college radio stations across North America. The band also received frequent airplay from John Peel on his BBC Radio 1 program. Upon hearing their first album, Peel telephoned the band "just to say how much he liked the record" and invited them to record a Peel Session in London. The band completed three Peel Sessions and concurrent UK tours.
Subsequent albums by The Philistines Jr. include The Sinking of the S.S. Danehower, Analog vs. Digital -or- We Don't Get The Respect We Deserve in Today's Scientific Community, If A Band Plays in the Woods...?, If a Lot of Bands Play in the Woods...?, and "Help!".
Over time, Katis has also participated in a number of musical side projects, including The Zambonis, The Happiest Guys in the World, The Pants, and James Kochalka Superstar.

Music Production Career

While recording songs for his own band in an ad-hoc studio set up in his parents' basement, Katis realized he had an affinity for production. "My favorite part of being a musician was producing a record," said Katis.
In 1989 he began taking continuing education classes at SUNY Purchase in studio production, which further developed his recording skills. Katis then worked as an intern, an assistant, and then as an engineer in various recording studios in New York City. As his career progressed, Katis began being asked by his friends in other bands—including Mommyheads, Oneida, Guster, and Mercury Rev—to help record their albums.
By 1998, Katis's demand as a producer, audio engineer, and mixer had grown to the point where he needed a dedicated production space. He bought a 7,000 square foot Victorian home in Bridgeport, Connecticut and transformed it into , a residence and recording studio for musicians. Katis has since worked with dozens of artists at .
In 2017, Katis and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads launched a concert series for emerging artists at .

Death Cab For Cutie

Katis produced Death Cab for Cutie's latest album, The Blue EP. The video for the song was filmed at .

Frightened Rabbit

Katis produced Frightened Rabbit's 2008 breakthrough album The Midnight Organ Fight. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the album, Frightened Rabbit released Tiny Changes: A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit's Midnight Organ Fight Katis's own band, The Philistine's Jr., contributed to the album by covering the song Bright Pink Bookmark. Tiny Changes has since become a tribute album to Frightened Rabbit's lead singer, Scott Hutchinson.

Gang of Youths

Katis mixed The Positions and Go Farther in Lightness for the Australian band Gang of Youths. The former album debited at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was nominated for 5 ARIA Music Awards. The latter album debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was nominated for 8 ARIA Music Awards, winning four: Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album, and Producer of the Year.
Katis's band, The Philistine's Jr., opened for Gang of Youths on several west coast dates of their 2018 American tour.

Interpol

Katis also has a long-standing relationship with Interpol. He recorded and mixed the band's critically acclaimed debut album Turn on the Bright Lights, followed by Antics. He also worked with lead singer Paul Banks on Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper, Julian Plenti Lives..., and Banks.

The National

Katis has worked with The National on eight of their albums: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, Cherry Tree, Alligator, Boxer, High Violet, Trouble Will Find Me, Sleep Well Beast, and I Am Easy to Find. Trouble Will Find Me received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Sleep Well Beast received the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. Katis co-produced and mixed the album.
Illustrating his close personal connection to the band, the cover of Boxer features a photo of The National playing at Katis's wedding reception.

Discography

Credits adapted from .
TitleYearArtistCredits
Help!2019The Philistine's Jr.Lyrics, Performer, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
The Blue EPDeath Cab for CutieProducer, Engineer, Mixing-
Tiny Changes: A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit's Midnight Organ FightFrightened RabbitProducer, Guitar, Keyboards, Engineer, Mixing, Recording-
I Am Easy To FindThe NationalMixing-
Natural Everyday DegradationRemo DriveEngineer, Mixing-
ProblemsThe Get Up KidsProducer, Engineer, Mixing-
RuthlessThe Moth and The FlamePerformer, Producer, Engineer, Mixing-
Bobby Gentry The Delta Sweetie RevisitedMercury RevMixing-
Bottle It In2018Kurt VileProducer
Before The Sun Goes DownThe New RespectsMixing-
On The Corner Where You LiveThe Paper KitesProducer, Engineer, Mixing-
Lost FriendsMiddle KidsMixing-
The World We Built2017The Wild ReedsProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Go Farther In Lightness2017Gang of YouthsMixing
Mysterium2017HammockMixing
Only the Lonely2017Colony HouseAdditional Production, Engineer, Mixing
Near to the Wild Heart of Life2017JapandroidsMixing, Additional Production, Mixing
So Numb2017SannhetProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Sleep Well Beast2017The NationalProducer, Mixing
There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light2017StarsProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
This Is Your Life2016AugustinesProducer, Mixing
Synthia2016The JezabelsMixing
It's Not About the Witches2016T.O.L.D.Mixing
Everything and Nothing2016HammockMixing
Arms2016Bell X1Mixing
And Then Like Lions2016Blind PilotMixing
You're Going to Make It2015Mates of StateMixing
The Positions2015Gang of YouthsMixing
Then Came the Morning2015The Lone BellowMixing
Jackrabbit2015San FerminProducer, Engineer, Mixing
B'lieve I'm Goin Down...2015Kurt VileMixing
After It All2015Delta RaeProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Youth Culture Forever2014PAWSMixing
Ruckers Hill2014Husky Gawenda / HuskyMixing
Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave2014The Twilight SadAdditional Production, Mixing
Honeyblood2014HoneybloodProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Electronic Percussion
Augustines2014AugustinesProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Trouble Will Find Me2013The NationalMixing
2013Mixing
Let's Be Still2013The Head and the HeartAdditional Production, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Hummingbird2013Local NativesMixing
Chop Chop2013Bell X1Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Breach2013The Kissaway TrailProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Synthesizer
Traveler2012Trey AnastasioProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Vocals, String Arrangements, Instrumentation
Tramp2012Sharon Van EttenEngineer, Mixing
Shallow Bed2012Dry the RiverProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Live: England vs. France2012Mice ParadeMixing
Julian Plenti Lives2012Paul BanksProducer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Five Minute Major 2012The ZambonisEngineer, Mixing
Circles Around the Sun2012DispatchProducer, Engineer
Banks2012Paul BanksProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Animal Joy2012ShearwaterGuest Artist, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
We Bought a Zoo 2011JónsiProducer
Prisoner2011The JezabelsMixing
Outside2011Tapes 'n TapesAdditional Production, Engineer, Mixing
Mountaintops2011Mates of StateEngineer
In the Pit of the Stomach2011We Were Promised JetpacksAdditional Production, Mixing
Fire Needs Air2011Dazzled KidMixing
Deserter's Songs: Instrumental2011Mercury RevEngineer, Mixing
What It Means to Be Left-Handed2010Mice ParadeEngineer, Mixing
The Winter of Mixed Drinks2010Frightened RabbitAdditional Production, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Sleep Mountain2010The Kissaway TrailProducer, Mixing
Let's Go Coconuts!2010The MacaroonsEngineer
How to Train Your Dragon 2010John PowellDrum Engineering, Percussion Engineer
High Violet2010The NationalProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Going the Distance2010Producer
Go2010JónsiProducer, Engineer
Everything Under the Sun2010Jukebox the GhostProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Easy Wonderful2010GusterEngineer, Mixing
Up End Atom: A Tribute to Atom & His Package2009Producer, Engineer
These Four Walls2009We Were Promised JetpacksProducer, Various Instruments, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Strict Joy2009The Swell SeasonProducer, ARP Synthesizer, Percussion, Performer, Featured Artist
Silver Starling2009Silver StarlingMixing
Reservoir2009FanfarloProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Love Hate and Then There's You2009The Von BondiesEngineer, Audio Engineer
Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper2009Paul Banks / Julian PlentiProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Additional Music
Dark Was the Night: Red Hot Compilation2009Engineer, Mixing
Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy2009Mark MulcahyProducer
Up with the Sun2008TitlesARP Synthesizer
Teeth Lost, Hearts Won2008The GratesProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Keyboards
Summer Palace2008Sunny Day Sets FireProducer, Mixing
Secrets Are Sinister2008LongwaveProducer, Engineer, Audio Engineer, Mixing
Re-Arrange Us2008Mates of StateProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Heavenly Bender2008Sam ChampionMixing
Fight on the Ice2008The ZambonisComposer
Elephant Shell2008Tokyo Police ClubProducer, Mixing
DeLeon2008DeLeonEngineer
A Skin, A Night & The Virginia EP2008The NationalEngineer, Mixing
5 Zusammen Verschwinden2008KarpatenhundMixing
Mice Parade2007Mice ParadeAssistant Engineer
Marginalia2007Nurse & SoldierProducer, Engineer, Mixing
I'll Follow You2007Oakley HallEngineer, Mixing
Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters2007The Twilight SadMixing
Boxer2007The NationalProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Anjula2007Anjula PrasadMixing
Tremors2006HumanziProducer, Mixing
Spread Your Evil Wings and Fly2006James Kochalka SuperstarComposer
Peoples2006HiMEngineer
Gravity Won't Get You High2006The GratesMixing
Diet Pills & Magazines2006HumanziMixing
Catastrophe Keeps Us Together2006Rainer MariaProducer, Engineer, Mixing
19-20-202006The GratesMixing
Trilateral Commission2005Jimi TunnellAssistant Engineer
Tree City2005Robbers on High StreetProducer, Engineer, Mixing
The Loyal2005Tiger LouMixing
The Loving Sounds of Static2005Mobius BandProducer, Mixing
The Golden Republic2005The Golden RepublicProducer, Engineer, Audio Engineer, Audio Production
Our Most Beloved 2005James Kochalka SuperstarProducer, Main Personnel
Nights Wave 2005Mice ParadeMixing, Overdubs
Lit Up2005The NationalEngineer, Mixing
Hanukkah Rocks2005The LeeVeesProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Instrumentation
DoublePlays: All Is Dream/Deserter's Songs2005Mercury RevEngineer
City vs. Country2005Mobius BandEngineer, Mixing, Audio Production
C'mere2005InterpolEngineer, Mixing
Bem-Vinda Vontade2005Mice ParadeEngineer, Audio Engineer, Mixing, Overdubs
Alligator2005The NationalProducer, Engineer, Audio Engineer, Mixing, Audio Production, Vocals
The O.C. Mix 22004Engineer
My Body: The Pistol2004Les Baton RougeProducer, Engineer
Matador at Fifteen2004Engineer
Lightning and the Sun2004Katy MaeEngineer, Keyboards
Life of the Party 2004LongwaveMixing
Fine Lines2004Robbers on High StreetEngineer
Cherry Tree2004The NationalEngineer
Antics2004InterpolEngineer, Audio Engineer, Mixing
Aghast Agape2004The ProsaicsProducer, Engineer, Audio Engineer, Audio Production
Yes New York2003Engineer
Wild Card2003Jim AllenEngineer
The Instinct2003DenaliProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Mastering
The Black EP2003InterpolEngineer, Mixing
Stars at Noon2003Sea RayEngineer, Mixing
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers2003The NationalProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Maybe This Christmas, Too2003Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Heather2003SatanicideEngineer, Audio Engineer
A Winter's Night: The Best of Nettwerk Christmas Albums2003Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Turn on the Bright Lights2002InterpolEngineer, Mixing
Pushbutton Parfait2002Raymond Scott OrchestretteEngineer, Mastering
On a Wire2002The Get Up KidsEngineer, Mixing
MTV Road Rules: Don't Make Me Pull This Thing Over, Vol. 12002Mixing
Interpol 2002InterpolEngineer, Mixing
For the Kids 2002Producer, Engineer, Vocals, Instrumentation
Each One Teach One2002OneidaEngineer, Mixing
Atheists, Reconsider2002Liars / OneidaEngineer
All Roads Lead to Salzburg2002Mice ParadeEngineer, Mixing, Overdubs
The Operating Theater2001Brian DewanEngineer, Mixing
The Ghost of Fashion2001Clem SnideMixing
Mokoondi2001Mice ParadeEngineer, Mixing, Overdub Engineer
I Blame You2001Michael ShelleyMixing, Recorder
Elza2001ElzaProducer, Engineer, Mixing, Instrumentation
Don't Trust Whitey2001James Kochalka SuperstarProducer, Mixing, Mastering, Recording
Anthem of the Moon2001OneidaEngineer, Mixing
Analog vs. Digital2001The Philistines Jr.Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Artwork, Composer
All Is Dream2001Mercury RevEngineer
Ur-Klang Search2000The Dylan GroupEngineer
Steel Rod2000OneidaMixing
Put-Outs Sing the Hits2000Put-OutsMixing
Now Is the Time: Live at the Knitting Factory2000Alex BlakeEngineer, Pre-Mastering Engineer
Kiss Without Makeup2000Franklin BrunoEngineer, Mixing
Eat Crow2000PantsProducer, Engineer, Mastering, Various Instruments, Layout Design
Come on Everybody Let's Rock2000OneidaMixing
Ramda1999Mice ParadeEngineer
More Adventures in Lying Down1999The Dylan GroupEngineer
Enemy Hogs1999OneidaEngineer, Mixing
Welcome to the Jungle1998Jim RomeComposer
Too Many Movies1998Michael ShelleyEngineer
The True Meaning of Boodleybaye1998Mice ParadeEngineer
Survival of the Illest: Live from 125 NYC1998Digital Editing
Heartdrops1998The HeartdropsEngineer
Dreams Gone Sour1998The Absolute ZerosProducer, Recorder
Deserter's Songs1998Mercury RevEngineer
After the Morning1998Katie McMahonEngineer
Show & Tell: A Stormy Remembrance of TV Themes1997Engineer
Pop Pie1997Producer, Engineer
Play-Off Fever!1997The ZambonisEngineer
Monkey vs. Robot1997James Kochalka SuperstarProducer, Engineer, Various Instruments, Vocals, Layout Design
Half Empty1997Michael ShelleyProducer, Engineer, Mixing
Dylan Group & H.I.M.1997The Dylan GroupEngineer
Cradle the Balls1997Satanicide
The Sinking of the S.S. Danehower1996The Philistines Jr.Lyrics, Performer, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Resonance Found at the Core of a Bubble1996Engineer
Happiest Guys in the World1996Happiest Guys in the WorldEngineer, Mixing
After School Special1996IrisEngineer
100% Hockey...and Other Stuff1996The ZambonisEngineer, Illustrations, Artwork
Thumper1995ThumperEngineer, Audio Engineer
The True Story1995James Kochalka SuperstarProducer, Engineer
Bingham's Hole1995The MommyheadsProducer
1st Bubble Core Records Sampler1995Engineer
When the Doves Cry: The Music of Prince1994Bob BeldenAssistant Engineer
The Continuing Struggle of The Philistine's Jr.1993The Philistine's Jr.Lyrics, Performer, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Greenwich, CT1991The Philistine's Jr.Lyrics, Performer, Producer, Engineer, Mixing