University of Wisconsin-Madison junior Matt Hanson, co-founder of Madison-based company LowDrag Productions, helps bring artists’ talent to life by creating a variety of videos for them.
Hanson said he met fellow co-founder and UW-Madison junior Riley Gasiorowski shortly before he proposed the idea of making a record label, but the idea soon transpired into opening a production company. Since 2012, they have produced, filmed, edited and promoted videos for a variety of groups. They also provide a recording studio space for musicians to use.
“We wanted a business that any sort of artist or performer could come to and we could take care of all their needs in house,” Hanson said.
According to Hanson, they work with all types of genres and artists, from Milwaukee-based hip hop musicians and rappers to folk singers in Madison. He said he and Gasiorowski enjoy “broadening their horizons” to work with anyone they can.
The two also run a DJ service over the weekend, performing at various events such as house parties and bars wearing bow ties and suspenders.
Hanson said LowDrag got their “big break” from working on and promoting the Youtube video “Badger Style” last year, a Gangnam Style parody song.
Right now, the pair is working with Ballin on a Budget, a local group that organizes spring break trips. Soon they will be flying down to Mexico and Florida to film a promotional commercial.
“I feel like I learn a lot more by going out and doing things than by sitting in a classroom and learning from a professor,” Hanson said.
Hanson also manages a restaurant in Middleton in addition to his work at LowDrag and being a full-time student. Ultimately, he said time management remains his biggest challenge, but the gratifying feeling that comes with putting work into product he can be proud of is worth it.
“It definitely gives me motivation, a little more purpose,” Hanson said. “I don’t get jazzed in the morning going to [statistics,] I get jazzed knowing that after class I can go edit a video or hangout with people and make music.”
