Phil Jaurigui - President

"I knew I was gonna live in L.A after the first time I visited Hollywood at 15 years old. My buddy got his driver license so we took a road trip from our home in the Northern California Bay Area and drove straight to the Sunset Strip. Upon parking in a lot across from the Rainbow and Roxy a Black Mercedes with a skull and crossbones on the hood pulled up next to us. Out comes David Lee Roth, as he said hello and walked across the street into the Rainbow a half a dozen girls ran out screaming and crying. One girl was banging her head against the brick wall crying in pure Beatlemania fashion. I said to my buddy, when we get out of High School we are living here..."

Phil Jaurigui is the President/CEO of the world famous Rock & Roll Studio in Hollywood called, Swing House, which has been in business for 18 years. He started the company out of desperation - pursuing the Rock & Roll dream was not exactly lucrative. After being laid off from Capitol Records where he worked in the copy room and surviving the L.A. Riots and Northridge Earthquake he found a building in total disrepair with affordable rent and learned to deal with the various miscreants who also called the block home. Slowly the business grew from 1 room to 3, and now there are 7 rooms in the 'Rock & Roll Gallery'. Including 2 sound stages, 3 rehearsal rooms, 2 recording studios, Radio broadcasting booths for SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio as well as a fully stocked rental and cartage department for outside productions. Many a famous band was showcased, created, signed or even broken up in the storied studio over the years. Linkin Park, The Killers, Audioslave, Sugar Ray, The Fray, Maroon 5 and The Goo Goo Dolls all grew to stardom at Swing House.

Phil has been in various bands throughout his life, which has given him invaluable experience for a career in the music industry. As a guitarist, he was in several 'could have been' bands on various labels and publishing companies. He also does live sound and has worked with some of the world's biggest bands (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, Eddie Vedder, Shelby Lynne, Brandie Carlile, James Taylor, Vonda Shepard and Concrete Blonde). He is also the co-creator of 'The Summer Strummer' music festival in Santa Monica, CA which featured: One Republic, Augustana, The Donnas, Kinky, John Doe, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs among many others. He helps produce and develop various events such as The Sunset Strip Music Festival and the annual Austin Rox Showcase at South by Southwest in conjunction with the Roxy Theatre. Phil is now looking for bands and artists to produce & develop that are energetic, focused and not afraid to break the mold. He has produced 2 albums for the teenage punks Orange, for Hell Cat/Epitaph. He also Manages the Tender Box & Astra Heights and releases the music through the imprint, Swing House Quality Recordings. On top of all that he is the West Coast Artist Scout for D'Addario Strings/ Evans Drum Heads & Planet Waves Cables and A&R for Mapex Drums.

Warren Huart - Vice President

This Los Angeles based British music producer has played a fundamental part in the creation of platinum winning, billboard- soaring albums, such as: The Fray's 'How To Save a Life', The Fray's sophomore album 'The Fray', Augustana's 'Can't Love Can't Hurt' and Better Than Ezra's 'Paper Empire'. With over 20 years of experience in the ever expanding music industry (record production, engineering, mixing and song writing), as well as his extensive knowledge of musical equipment used yesterday and today, Warren manages to create the most diverse sound around.

He has worked with the following artists among others: Howie Day, Hot Hot Heat, The Thrills, Korn, Matisyahu, Vedera, Josiah Leming of American Idol, Shakira, Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde, Lucy Walsh, Mandi Perkins, Jay Clifford of Jump Little Children, The Tender Box and Burn Down the Mission. His work has also been featured in films such as: 'Transformers 2', 'Joe Strummer Rocks Again!', 'Aquamarine', 'Idle Hands', 'Trojan War' and 'The Predator'; as well as in television shows: 'Lost', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Ghost Whisperer', MTV's 'The Hills', 'Rock the Cradle', and the CW's 'Girlfriends'.

Warren is known for his hard work ethic, positive attitude and respect for the artists' vision. Many of his long term work relationships have turned into close friendships. Check out his website for more information. 

Melanie Barker - General Manager

Born & raised in Hampton Roads, VA, I started my music career in my high school art class screen-printing band t-shirts for my friends & promoting their gigs. Then progressed to road manager, driving those bands up & down the East Coast for mini tours & one-offs.

I moved to LA seven years ago & attended the Musician’s Institute studying Music Business, where I met Swing House owner, Phil Jaurigui, in my guest lecture series. I introduced myself & started interning. Now I run the joint! I’m also involved in artist management, tour managing, and event production for our annual festivals including SXSW, Sunset Strip Music Festival, & Culture Collide, among others. 

I’m at local shows more than I am at home so say hello if you see me out!

[About us picture courtesy of Lisa Melton]