Tony Locar

It was at the age of 8, while playing piano by ear along side his grandmother—an organist at her church—that Tony Esterly’s musical abilities were quickly realized. His innate talent for music led him to immediately begin taking piano lessons, then at age 15, he started playing guitar by ear. Within a month of that time, he started playing at church, and soon after, began playing in bands and recording on his own.



At the age of 18, Tony began enhancing his craft by attending Greenville College, where he studied jazz guitar, music theory, and studio recording. While at Greenville, he joined the now-defunct band LP Outsiders and toured the country with the band for years. During that time, Tony was also active in the recording scene, working as an engineer, session guitarist, and bassist.



After leaving the LP Outsiders, Tony began focusing on the recording and production side of the music business, cutting his teeth at S&S Studios, where he learned the ins and outs of the recording business.



In January of 2008, Tony joined the team at Shock City as Head Engineer, and has been with them ever since. He’s currently the lead guitarist for the Saint Louis based Gumbohead, and can be seen sitting in with several of the blues bands around town. He's also worked with such bands as Funky Butt Brass Band (co-producer, engineer, mixer on "Cut The Body Loose" 2009), Ha Ha Tonka (tracking), Gumbohead (tracking, guitarist), Gentleman Auction House (tracking, mixing), as well as many more.



In 2009, Tony was honored to receive a Grammy Nomination for his guitar work on the song "Joyful Noise" on Flame's album, "Our World Redeemed." Over the years, he's sold beats to ESPN, as well as done mixing, tracking, guitar and bass sessions for most of the notable artists in the St. Louis area, including: Jibbs/Beatstaz (tracking, guitars, bass, mixing), Laudie - Deez Beats (tracking, mixing, guitar/bass), Juvenile (tracking), Shorty Da Kid (mixing on "Ratchet Song" and "Coolin"), Chingy (mixing on "Be My Girl"), Bradd Young (tracking, mixing, guitar, bass), Aloha Mischeaux (tracking, mixing on "They Be On Me", and guitar/bass), Yo Gotti (tracking, mixing), Murphy Lee (tracking), Gena (tracking, mixing on "My Cup"), Basement Beats (tracking).



Tony brings more than insights as an engineer alone. A proficient musician who has studied basically every style of guitar, including jazz and classical, he not only knows how to record and mix correctly, but he can explain exactly what goes on behind the recording, both theoretically and sonically.