When one thinks of recording studios, names like Abbey Road, Motown and even Sleeper Media’s HQ Strawberry Studios spring to mind. But what happens when musicians take to the roads to go on tour? Thanks to a growing number of hotels that are installing their own in-house recording facilities, artists can continue to create in the same place they rest their heads. Here are some properties that are keeping the music coming:
Gold Diggers, Los Angeles
Embodying a “Drink. Sleep. Record.” concept with its king-size recording studios and Rock n’ Roll dive bar, Gold Diggers has quickly developed an audience of devoted musicians and music fans.
Designed by Wick Architecture and Design, Night Palm Design and Land Design Studio, the interiors ooze an effortlessly laid-back style. The hotel took home two AHEAD awards at the 2019 Americas division, winning the Event Spaces and Guestrooms categories.
Geejam Hotel, Jamaica
Having undergone its latest phase of renovation in October last year, Geejam Hotel boasts a design that reflects the surrounding Jamaican landscape and maximises on the sea views.
Used by the likes of Drake, Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani, its recording facilities come with a complete talent team including an A&R admin, in-house engineer, session musicians and local performers.
The Standard, London
The Standard, London, since its highly anticipated opening last year, has attracted star-studded crowds and welcomed live performances from artists including Q-Tip, Mark Ronson and Dev Hynes.
The Sounds Studio, set within the ground floor’s Library Lounge, comprises a recording booth and performance pod.
Programmed weekly with everything from DJ sets and record releases to podcast recordings and live musical showcases, the Sounds Studio seeks to provide a platform for both upcoming and established talent from across London.
Hotel El Ganzo, Los Cabos, Mexico
Following its renovation and reopening in 2015, Hotel El Ganzo has hosted countless singers, songwriters and composers who recorded in The Underground – a soundproof studio that is accessed by a trap door in the lobby.
The hotel’s rooftop also doubles up as a performance area where one time Guns N’ Roses’ lead guitarist Slash famously played an impromptu concert for guests.
W Bali, Seminyak
W Hotels is known for its love and appreciation of music, so it comes as no surprise that its Sound Suite at W Bali has attracted a number of touring musicians.
With a private recording booth overlooking the hotel’s tropical garden, the studio has been designed to inspire artists and grant them with an abundance of space to create freely.
The Mercer, New York
Despite not holding its own permanent in-house recording facility, an honourable mention must be made for The Mercer in Manhattan.
Across 2010 and 2011, the property hosted a makeshift studio that was set up and used by Kanye West and Jay-Z for the production of their joint album Watch the Throne.
West is reported to be good friends with The Mercer’s designer Christian Liaigre, and the hotel is a known favourite amongst both musicians.
With the temporary studio having spanned six guestrooms over several months, Producer and Engineer Mike Dean told Vibe Magazine, “I’ve been recording at home for a long time, but I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
A few years ago, West revealed an interest in hotel design, which begs the question: is the mother of all hotel recording studios yet to come?
CREDITS
Words: Donna Salek
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20 January 2016
