There’s good news for Brighton bands today with the launch of a new recording and rehearsal studio right in the middle of town. What’s more, we’re running a competition (see below) for bands to win free practice time.
Small Pond Recordings, as well acting as a HQ for the local label, houses practice rooms with top-notch gear, a recording studio and a space for gigs and live videos.
“We’ll be running like Toys R Us except louder and stranger,” says Andy Crowder, one of the seven-strong team of friends behind the venture. “We’re all musicians, so soundproofing was important to us as it’s pretty irritating when all you can hear is another band practising next door for three hours. I won’t reveal all of our little tricks but it’s basically like Inception, just replacing dreams with rooms. Rooms within rooms…”
Bands have a choice of six rehearsal rooms, ranging from medium and large to ‘executive’. The latter are housed upstairs and have natural light and actual fresh air.
Andy adds: “We also wanted to separate out the two musical purposes of the building (rehearsal and recording) so that one doesn’t affect the other. The last minute edition of a vocal booth/amp room has gotten everyone really excited too.”
It’s taken three years for the team to get to this point – looking for the right place, waiting on the council and finishing up all the building work. The premises, located on Castle Street just off Preston Street, was previously used as a warehouse for body piercings and was also once a bank. “It has been hard work optimising the space,” says Andy. “We had to buy an angle grinder that was bigger than a small child to take down the metal bars on the front windows. Ever so slightly terrifying!”
As if they didn’t have enough on their plate, the guys at Small Pond have also released EPs by Luo and Calico this month and helped organise the Bad Pond math rock all-dayer at the Green Door Store. If you want an idea of the video stuff they do, check out the shoot they did with Wild Cat Strike which we premiered back in April.
Small Pond Recordings
27 Castle Street, Brighton, BN11 2HD
01273 748193
www.smallpondrec.co.uk
Competition!
If you’re a local musician who wants some free rehearsal time at Small Pond Recordings all you have to do put your band name in a comment on our Facebook post. However, to ensure we have your contact details you must also sign up to our mailing list. The prize is x3 three-hour practice sessions, on dates of your choosing. The winner will be announced on Monday 26th October.
