Raul Anthony
May 19, 2025
Zak Perry Producing Breakout Album at Bell Labs Studio
By Raul Anthony
There’s something electric happening in Norman, Oklahoma.
Zak Perry, songwriter, guitarist and frontman of Zak Perry & The Beautiful Things, has stepped into the producer’s chair to helm a new project from rising artist Aaron Haney. The sessions are happening at Norman, Oklahoma's legendary Bell Labs Studio, owned by Trent Bell, former guitarist of alternative rock icons The Chainsaw Kittens. Bell isn’t just opening his doors—he’s engineering and mixing the album himself
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Tracking began in March, with six songs laid down and wrapped in just a matter of days. The chemistry between Zak, Aaron, and the studio was immediate, organic, raw, and undeniably dialed in.“There was no hand-holding,” Zak said. “Aaron came in with some really great song ideas. It was honest stuff, but they were kind of like skeletons or outlines. So, I knew that we'd be co-writing the tunes. Sonically, I wasn't really interested in making radio hits. We chased vibe, not perfection. And Bell Labs has that built into the walls.”
Zak isn’t just producing—he’s co-writing songs and laying down guitar tracks. If you’ve followed his career, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But this record marks the first time Zak has thrown his full weight behind someone else’s debut. The results? Pure fire.
“There’s no ego with Zak,” said studio owner and engineer Trent Bell. “He walks in, plugs in, and the room gets sharper. His instincts are dead-on. He knows when to push, when to sit back, and when to rip the doors off the place.”
Zak, Aaron and his session players will reunite with Trent at Bell Labs to complete the project this November. While no official release date has been set, the buzz is building—and for good reason. “Producing is like playing another instrument,” Zak added. “You’ve got to listen to the artist, listen to the songs, and know when to let things breathe. This record... it’s got dirt under its nails. And I mean that in the best possible way.”
Between Zak’s unmistakable song writing prowess and guitar skills and the sonic signature and reputation of Bell Labs, this release is shaping up to be one of the most exciting underground debuts of the year.