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By David Keller
BBC Norfolk |
A Norfolk recording complex used by some of the UK’s top acts including Arctic Monkeys, Seasick Steve and KT Tunstall has opened a second studio to appeal to local acts.
Leeders Farm, owned by Dan Hawkins – the former member of Lowestoft band The Darkness and current guitarist with Stone Gods – is helping Norfolk musicians thrive by giving them a professional space to practice and record.
The new facilities at the residential recording complex in Wymondham seem to provide the perfect modus operandi and atmosphere for local talent to produce their music.
Sargasso Trio and Violet Violet are just two of the local acts which have made use of Leeders Farm in the past, but the facilities have also drawn in a plethora of international acts to the Norfolk countryside.
Indeed, without the studio, the cat suits and hair-metal guitar solos of The Darkness may never have made it into the public eye, with the band’s rock sound perfected at the complex.
If you’re lucky, Dan Hawkins may even make an appearance on your record, with Norfolk-based act Magnet Man already receiving the pleasure of the renowned guitarist walking in on his session.
Nick Brine, studio manager at Leeders Farm, talks about what makes the studios so special and what it means for the development of Norfolk talent.
Why was the studio built? What is its main purpose?
The opening of the second studio has been a success according to Nick Brine
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The main priority of the studio is to make ourselves more widely available to the local music scene. We’re strong believers in grassroots level music.
Those who know Leeders Farm will already know about the number of local projects we’re involved in and our continued dedication to local artists and charities.
The main studio is now one of the busiest and best high-end commercial studios in the country – it is booked out most of the time to major artists and labels. This means it’s unavailable to local, unsigned artists and it’s sometimes beyond their budgets.
With the second studio we have the opportunity to provide excellent commercial facilities to local musicians and bands. There has been no compromise on the equipment and fully commercial recordings can be obtained.
What does Dan Hawkins think of it?
Dan loves the studio and has already used it for a few of his projects – he even decided to record his latest album with Stone Gods in the new studio, when he could have chosen anywhere in the world.
He really liked the feel of the place and found it very creative. Once he heard the vintage microphone pre-amps in there he was hooked, they really do sound amazing! Anyone hearing their new album can discover for themselves the depth and quality that can be achieved in there.
Are there any other studios expanding in the local area or have they become victim to the recession?
There are always small studios springing up but unfortunately most of them don’t last very long.
People think it’s an easy way to make some money doing something you love – in reality there’s so much more to it than making music. Without the contacts and experience it’s very hard to establish a strong client base.
The new studio is fitted with a range of hi-tech equipment
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Not many studios expand nowadays but I think you need to be diverse and get involved in all aspects of the music business. You can’t spread yourself too thinly though or your primary business will suffer.
A lot of studios have been victims of the recession and the digital age. So much more can be done from home and on small budgets nowadays that there are less sessions around for big commercial spaces.
There will always be a place for studios like ours as bigger artists still want to get away and record together away from managers, record labels and the media. You just have to make sure you provide them with a service that makes them want to come back.
Smaller bands find it much more of a buzz and special experience coming into a studio than sitting in their bedrooms.
What do bands think of the new studio?
So far the feedback has been great with many repeat bookings. It’s a great creative space with a retro feel and it’s set in great surroundings.
Some local bands have been really excited to find that their favourite band is recording in the studio next door and they’ve managed to grab a chat and a cup of tea with them – that just adds to the buzz of the place.
Are there any Norfolk bands recording in the new space at the moment?
We’ve had some great local bands in the new space recently, I’ve been really impressed with the quality.
Recent artists include The Lost Levels, Fever Fever, Alloy Ark, Magnet Man, Bad Touch, Black Sharks and Nausia.
Dan has popped in to see a couple of these and even ended up playing on a couple of the records while he was there! Great treat for the bands, but Dan just loves being involved.
Any more future plans for the studio?
Dan Hawkins (right) and his brother Justin (left) played in The Darkness
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We are looking to expand the record and distribution label. We want to continue doing one-off single releases with local unsigned acts and developing local talent.
We recently started a PR and band agency which is proving very successful.
The aim is to take bands out of their local circuit and take them to the next level, introducing them to a new, wider audience and introducing them to the music industry.
Our courses and song-writing workshops will also be expanded in 2010.
Because of the clients we have worked with, it makes it very appealing to local bands to be tutored by someone who can tell you exactly how What’s the Story? (Morning Glory) was made or how Bruce Springsteen sets his amplifiers or what The Stone Roses were like as a band.
