Recording studios play musical chairs

soundofmusicThe music has stopped for now, but in several weeks Richmond recording studio Sound of Music will finish moving to its new space just a few blocks down the street.

Co-owner Miguel Urbiztondo said the space at 209 Foushee Street, formerly a yoga studio, was the perfect fit for the move.

“We came in and the ideas just kept flowing,” said Urbiztondo, “Now that we better understand better what we need, we can customize everything in the studio to be just the way we want it.” He said they signed the lease last week.

For the last several years Sound of Music had called 321 West Broad Street home, even after a 2007 fire nearly destroyed the business. Earlier this year fellow co-founder David Lowery, front man for the rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, decided to pull out of the business and sell the Broad Street building, which he owned with another individual.

Urbiztondo said that Lowery’s reason for leaving was to focus on personal projects and that they are still on good terms.

“Our relationship is more client-based now,” Urbiztondo said, “His fingerprints will still be all over Sound of Music.”

The other remaining partners are John Morand and Craig Harmon. Urbiztondo said that they are still negotiating the exact terms of Lowery’s exit. The foursome founded the studio in 1997 in a location on Brook Road.

“Every time we move we get better, so I am really looking forward to this,” Urbiztondo said.

In addition to Lowery’s bands, Sound of Music has recorded albums for such local and national artists as Lamb of God, Hackensaw Boys, Avail, The Black Crowes and Lucero, to name a few. Urbiztondo said they are scrambling to finish part of the studio for a recording session with Brooklyn-based artists the Hold Steady later this month.

Meanwhile, the buyers of Sound of Music’s previous spot are preparing for a move of their own. And they just so happen to also be in the recording business.

Black Iris Music closed on the property last week, buying it for $360,000.

Co-owner David Jackson said they are still in the planning stages, but in a few months they will move from its current location at 3106 W. Leigh St. to the Broad Street building. The company is a collective of musicians that produce original music for advertising, music and film. They have done work for Toyota, Hummer, Discover Card and Palm. They also own an independent record label, and have satellite studios in Los Angeles and New York.

Urbiztondo said he was surprised and pleased that Black Iris would be taking over his old stomping ground.

“Most of them have either been a client, an employee or an intern at some point,” he said.

Al Harris is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].

soundofmusicThe music has stopped for now, but in several weeks Richmond recording studio Sound of Music will finish moving to its new space just a few blocks down the street.

Co-owner Miguel Urbiztondo said the space at 209 Foushee Street, formerly a yoga studio, was the perfect fit for the move.

“We came in and the ideas just kept flowing,” said Urbiztondo, “Now that we better understand better what we need, we can customize everything in the studio to be just the way we want it.” He said they signed the lease last week.

For the last several years Sound of Music had called 321 West Broad Street home, even after a 2007 fire nearly destroyed the business. Earlier this year fellow co-founder David Lowery, front man for the rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, decided to pull out of the business and sell the Broad Street building, which he owned with another individual.

Urbiztondo said that Lowery’s reason for leaving was to focus on personal projects and that they are still on good terms.

“Our relationship is more client-based now,” Urbiztondo said, “His fingerprints will still be all over Sound of Music.”

The other remaining partners are John Morand and Craig Harmon. Urbiztondo said that they are still negotiating the exact terms of Lowery’s exit. The foursome founded the studio in 1997 in a location on Brook Road.

“Every time we move we get better, so I am really looking forward to this,” Urbiztondo said.

In addition to Lowery’s bands, Sound of Music has recorded albums for such local and national artists as Lamb of God, Hackensaw Boys, Avail, The Black Crowes and Lucero, to name a few. Urbiztondo said they are scrambling to finish part of the studio for a recording session with Brooklyn-based artists the Hold Steady later this month.

Meanwhile, the buyers of Sound of Music’s previous spot are preparing for a move of their own. And they just so happen to also be in the recording business.

Black Iris Music closed on the property last week, buying it for $360,000.

Co-owner David Jackson said they are still in the planning stages, but in a few months they will move from its current location at 3106 W. Leigh St. to the Broad Street building. The company is a collective of musicians that produce original music for advertising, music and film. They have done work for Toyota, Hummer, Discover Card and Palm. They also own an independent record label, and have satellite studios in Los Angeles and New York.

Urbiztondo said he was surprised and pleased that Black Iris would be taking over his old stomping ground.

“Most of them have either been a client, an employee or an intern at some point,” he said.

Al Harris is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].

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