Welcome to Mixed Metaphor
At Mixed Metaphor, we combine the relaxed environment and "anything goes" spirit of home recording with the sound quality of commercial recording studios. We record the sounds we love without compromise: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, synthesizers, cello, and violin. While these are by no means the only instruments we are equipped to record (please bring your horn section!), they comprise the palette for most of the material we record and produce.
This approach is in line with a deeply held conviction: namely, that good records take time. For artists, this translates to extra time in the studio spent honing performances, trying out new ideas, and–most importantly–enjoying a relaxed creative process.
The recording studio has also expanded into hosting events for the Boise music community, including a monthly songwriting circle (reach out if you’d like to join) and Lower Gentry Studios’ Treasure Valley Live video series. To see more, checkout our gear list.
Jesse Blake Rundle
Jesse entered the Mixed Metaphor picture when he recorded his album “Radishes and Flowers” with Nate in 2018. That project began a friendship and partnership that resulted in rebuilding the studio space together and reopening in 2020.
Jesse is a seasoned music producer, audio engineer, and composer known for his ability to shape a wide range of sounds. At the studio, he’s produced an impressive catalog of indie rock, americana, shoegaze, folk, and country gems, creating a space where every artist feels empowered to dig deep and get creative. Known for his warmth, patience, and lightning-fast workflow, Jesse has a unique ability to bring artists’ visions to life. He understands the needs of artists because he’s a songwriter himself, having released several albums and written original film scores.
Mixed Metaphor embodies an “anything goes” philosophy—no rules, just pure creative flow. For Jesse, it’s about saying "yes, and"—letting each idea take shape naturally and exploring the full spectrum of creative possibility.
Nate Agenbroad
Nate got into recording in high school the way most people do: with a couple of cheap mics and a few song ideas. This led to a mild obsession with collecting and restoring vintage instruments and a few records released under the moniker "Solomon's Hollow." After moving to Portland to pursue music, he discovered that the love of recording wasn't limited to producing his own work; the microphones and gear became interesting in their own right.
The obsession became a business in 2014, back in Boise, ID when Mixed Metaphor was founded. The studio has hosted local notables Thomas Paul, Jake Saunders, Travis Ward, and Jeff Crosby.
Nate and his wife Kate moved to Portugal in late 2022 to pursue a new adventure. Nate is still working on music and available for mixing and remote tracking and production assistance.
“Mixed Metaphor is not only a professional studio, it is a place that cultivates creativity and genuine art. The quality of sound is superb and audio engineer Nate Agenbroad offers careful attention to every note, capturing the detail as well as the big picture of the project.... Nate also offered a lot of creative input. His ear for music is outstanding as he plays so well himself. He helped bring out the best of me when I hit a rut and encouraged me throughout the process. His commitment and care for the album was evident and the outcome was great.”
— Cory Cavazos
“When we got our songs back the difference was really startling. Nate has fantastic gear, amazing ears, and an infinite amount of patience and enthusiasm. He worked really hard with us to adjust the mixes until they sounded right to our ears. I’d highly recommend him to any bands looking for tracking or post-production.”
— Elisabeth Ryan, Bisti