Nashville has hundreds of recording studios (hey, T-Swift). But did you know that Asheville has about a dozen local studios which help local artists put out EPs, and which host national acts?? Just call us Music City 2.0.
We got the scoop from Patrick Doyle, who founded his studio after a career in L.A. where he worked with J. Lo and members of Earth, Wind + Fire.
There are mainly two options for booking time at a studio:
- Artists can book a producer who will on the artists’ side of the glass, and is involved through the whole project. A budget is decided based on equipment needs + time.
- They can also just book studio time for an hour hourly/day rate. An engineer is on hand, but it’s on the artist to finish the album after recording time. (We call this the DIY artist).
Here’s a look behind the scenes where some of your favorite local albums might have been recorded…
Echo Mountain | 📍 14 N French Broad Ave | 🎤 Sylvan Esso, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Rising Appalachia, and the Avett Brothers.
Located in a converted church (talk about best sound ever), the founder Steve Wilmans left California to create his dream studio in 2003 + expanded in 2006 to build on a 9,600 sq. foot API Room.
Bonus: A lounge area with a kitchen + pool table. (Albums are a marathon, not a sprint).
DYK: A *huge* new mural on Patton Ave. was recently finished on their building, a tribute to the “late, great” Chris Cornell painted by local artist Brushcan.
Patrick Doyle Productions | 📍 573 Fairview School (in Roots + Wings) | 🎤 Natural Born Leaders (past: J. Lo, the Rentals, and members of Earth, Wind, & Fire)
After relocating here from L.A. (working with the above… like J.Lo 🙌), Patrick Doyle opened the space in the Roots & Wings School building. He’s also a RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) gold and platinum winner.
Bonus: He’s a mentor to emerging recording career professionals, and offers private lessons in both music production + bass guitar ($240 for a block of four sessions).
Sound Temple | 📍 contact for tour | 🎤 Billy Jonas, Jonathan Scales Orchestra, and Lizz Wright
The studio itself was designed by a North Carolina architectural group using the Fibonacci Scale and the Golden Ratio, a numbering systems that conform with the natural world + is integral to music theory.
Pro-tip: Free lodging is available right across from the studio for out-of-towners. Owner and producer Robert George also teaches in UNC Asheville’s audio engineering department.
Goodflow Productions | 📍 70 Woodfin Pl. | 🎤 Mike Davis, Silver Machine, and Space Medicine
Analog/digital hybrid mixing setup in the heart of downtown Asheville.
Bonus: Their video production team can help you make your next music video.
Rotted One Note | đź“Ť5 Winners Circle
DYK: The name refers to electronic producer Squarepusher’s album, Music is Rotted One Note (1998, Warp Records).
R1N engineers + producers use of analog processes and include free tape access, pre-production, and mix revisions with every project.
Crossroads Recording Studio | 📍50 Fisk Dr. | 🎤 David Holt, Lonesome River Band, The Kingsmen
The oldest recording studio in the area has also been nominated for 4 Grammys.
And, of course, there are more killer options in Asheville + nearby. Check out Landslide (Asheville’s longest-running recording studio), Big Creek Recording, The Eagle Room and Whitewater Studios.
Did we miss any? Let us know by replying to this email (or hello@avltoday.com or over on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.)
