Location: Charlestown/Boston, Mass. Chillhouse is a purpose built 2 level recording studio in a storefront/building in a neighborhood and business district in Boston.
Notable Artists: Pixies,Dead Can Dance, Toasters, Banks and Steelz, Fall Out Boy, Rhett Miller, Ryan Montbleau, Hayley Thompson-King, Wanito, Floramay Holliday, The New Bohemians, Shelly King, The Skatalites, Berklee College of Music, Club d’Elf, Tim Reynolds, Jesse Ahern, Ali McGuirk, Elovaters, Slightly Stoopid, John Brown’s Body, Organically Good Trio, Dub Apocalypse, Nth Power, The Reckoners, Jen Kearney, SeepeopleS, Lowell Chamber Orchestra
How did you start the studio or what led you to start the studio?
I was operating a studio in a rented space in Boston that got sold to become a condo development. 22 years ago I bought the building that I’m currently in, did a bunch of work and have been rockin’ ever since!
How do you go about finding new gear for the studio and what’s your favorite toy?
A lot of things seem to find me through my network of fellow musicians andengineers. I also always have a cool thing or 2 that’s”on the wish list” and I just lurk around until the planets align. I really love all of the stuff in the studio, and it is great to have a lot of things that are unique. Maybe it’s the telephone receiver that was on my wall as a kid (now a mic). Maybe it’s an instrument or amp from the 50’s or 60’s or 70’s. Maybe it’s tape. I guess my favorite toy is the one that makes somebody smile when they put it on their record.
Name 1 or 2 favorite/most meaningful sessions/albums from the studio.
I honestly find all of my work to be meaningful and I find a lot of joy and discovery in everything I do. I really love helping people achieve their musical goals and helping people put out music that they are proud of. I love working with career pros and with young people alike. I’m fortunate to get to work on a wide range of music from all over the world and I am always learning.
Name 1 or 2 most surprising moments in the studio.
It’s always fun when you get to interact with someone that is highly acclaimed for their work. It’s even better if you get some great stories!
What’s the best/worst part of running a studio?
The best part is being your own boss. I really love what I do and I am fortunate to be able to do it for a living, while also being flexible with my schedule. As important as the studio is to me, it is more important that I can be available for my family life. I don’t know that there is a worst part of any of it. There is a lot of responsibility that comes along with owning and operating a business and a property, so I might be fixing the roof one day between sessions.
What was the first session done at the studio?
It’s hard for me to remember but, probably whatever I was working on when the time came to move 22 years ago. I remember shutting down for 2 weeks to move and get back up and running in the new space. Most likely it was a continuation of one of the projects I was working on at that time. I was doing a lot of local bands around that time.
Is there a non-musical aspect of the studio that you are proud of?
Being able to keep it all going for 25 plus years. Being able to stay inspired and inquisitive and busy and fulfilled.
How would you describe the vibe in your studio? How do you maintain it?
I’ve been told the vibe is “home-y”, as in sitting in someone’s living room. I try to make the
studio inviting and all of the instruments and gear easily available and properly maintained. Artists like to come in and grab a guitar or sit behind a drum set or sit at a keyboard and get inspired. Everything in the studio stays ready for action – I fix as much as I possibly can and if I can’t, I get the right people involved.
Any final thoughts?
Thank you for the opportunity to share a little bit about myself and my studio! I appreciate the opportunity to appear on Twangville and I invite people to check out my site chillhousestudios.com and my social media https://www.instagram.com/chillhousestudios and https://www.facebook.com/chillhousestudios
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.