KENT'S MUSIC STUDIOS & Rehearsal Rooms
We pick out a few of the best venues helping artists to record and fine-tune their music
The Albion Rooms Studio, Cliftonville
The almost total suspension of the live music scene has been one of the bitterest pills to swallow during the 2020 pandemic. Not being able to enjoy performing artists in the flesh has hurt performers, venues and fans alike. But the saving grace has been the ramped-up production of their talents.
Artists have got back into the studio, back into the practice rooms and continued to create. And it is thanks to these facilities that we haven’t had a complete shortfall of new music. So we decided to pick out a few of the Kent music havens still helping musicians realise their dreams.
The Good Rehearsal Rooms, Manston
A dedicated multi-room music rehearsal studio offering flexible bookings, The Good Rehearsal Rooms has a modern pro backline, fully licensed bar, ample free parking, acoustically treated air-conditioned rooms and truckloads of vibe.
From Fender to Marshall, Markbass to Orange, customers can request for free any of the wide range of bass amps and valve guitar amps to use.
The team are dedicated to artists from all creeds who wish to make music, giving them a place to explore their creative horizons and help local talent flourish.
Having each used the space recently, the team have singled out three incredibly hard-working bands, called Prymå, King For A Day and Hands Up, as ones to keep an eye out for!
INFO:
hello@thegoodrehearsalrooms.com
01843 621491
THE PRACTICE ROOMS, WHITSTABLE
Down at The Practice Rooms in Whitstable, the passion for music is evident. The team care more about sound quality and enjoyment rather than profit and gimmicks – 10 years on from the launch, bands continue to make music here.
With two large fully air-conditioned rooms, featuring hardwood floors and acoustically treated to give the best sound possible, you can play as loud as you want without annoying the neighbours. Whether you are a seven-piece band or just a hobby player, there’s space for you.
There is a range of backline including Marshall, Orange, Tama and Mapex and bands are welcome to bring their own equipment.
Room One is 4x5m and Room Two 5x6m. There are toilets, a drinks machine and ample parking, while Covid guidelines are followed to ensure customers are safe.
The team have recently enjoyed working with such bands as Broken Hands, Riviera Kid and This Is The Kit.
INFO:
www.whitstablepracticerooms.co.uk
F: @ThePracticeRooms
Call: 07504752051
Squarehead Studio, Newington
Squarehead Studio in Newington offers bands and artists a creative recording set-up with production and mixing gear, while the space and equipment can be hired to producers and engineers looking to work in Kent.
The experienced team of Rob Wilks, Kris Harris and James Simpson know that everyone’s writing and recording process is different and they focus on finding a producer/engineer who best suits your musical style and approach.
There’s a collection of vintage analog and modern recording equipment and instruments, including Neve, Neumann, AKG and ATC monitors; Bechstein piano; Fender, Gibson, Orange and Vox guitars and amps; Rogers, Ludwig and DW drums… and much more.
Rob has recently been working with Foals, Lianne La Havas, Kooks and Florence and the Machine, while Squarehead has also been used by Bears Den, Clock Opera, King No-One and Indoor Pets among many local bands. Check out its in-house Spotify playlist for more music made there.
INFO:
E: rob@squareheadstudio.com
Call: 07880 748283
The Albion Rooms Studio, Cliftonville
If the notoriety that comes with being within the Libertines’ hotel wasn’t enough, The Albion Rooms Studio was custom-built to a high spec, with 27sqm live room and booth and an additional 8sqm control room, centred on an SSL AWS 928 console and ATC monitoring.
The live room is easily big enough to host full band set-ups and even small-string ensembles. The booth is currently set up for drums, or it makes for perfect isolation for guitar and bass amps – or for a vocalist. The air-conditioned recording spaces are fully floating rooms within rooms, separated by full-height acoustic barrier walls and doors for the best acoustic performance possible. In-house studio engineer Jason Stafford’s technical expertise extends to Pro Tools, Logic and Cubase, while he has worked with many different genres ranging from pop to hardcore punk.
The Residence, available exclusively to The Albion Rooms Studio, is a comfortable, self-contained basement flat right next door – fully equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, it sleeps up to six people.
There is an array of instruments and backline, all courtesy of The Libertines. Gary Powell’s four/five-piece Yamaha oak drum kit, often together with other instruments belonging to the band, are in the studio and you’re welcome to use them.
INFO:
E: studio@thealbionrooms.live
F: @thealbionroomsmargate
SHOUT-OUTS
Lana Banana Studios, Sevenoaks
Make Some Noise Studio, Maidstone
Anchor Baby Recordings, Ashford
Beechsound Studios, West Malling
Sunlight Studios UK, Gillingham
Ten21 Recording Studio, Bearsted