On July 13, Converse Inc. officially announced the opening of its Brooklyn recording studio, Converse Rubber Tracks, which offers artists an opportunity to sign up and record music for free.
Photo: www.freshnessmag.com
Loved by garage bands and musicians shoe brand announced the studio last fall, and bands were able to apply for studio time on the Converse website until the end of May. New York and New Jersey artists Aabaraki, Majuscules, G.I.C. & Funk Face, Andre Henry and Super Rocket Car were selected as the first musicians to begin recording this summer, says Billboard Biz.
Each artist is given at least a day or two of studio time, depending on demands. Applications run every 3 months, and at the end of the summer, the next set of musicians will be able to apply online.
«By opening Converse Rubber Tracks, it’s a way for us to say thank you to musicians all over who have helped us become the brand we are and to provide a place for new artists to have access to resources they may not be able to afford,» said Converse Chief Marketing Officer Geoff Cottrill in a release. «This is our way to invest in the future of music and we couldn’t be more excited about it.»
Musicians retain all rights to their music, though they can give Converse limited rights so that the company can publish the tracks online and across social media sites. This is a chance for young artists to become popular as the video content on the web will feature behind-the-scenes recording sessions, video testimonials and an opportunity to record the track of the week.
The studio was equipped with the first-rate instruments, supplied by Guitar Center and with the Ocean Way HR2 large-format monitor system designed by Grammy award-winning producer and engineer Allen Sides. Fender, Gibson, Ernie Ball, BlackStar, Marshall and Schecter instruments will also be available for use.
This year Converse is also hosting the Grammy Foundation’s annual Grammy Camp. The camp will start in Los Angeles in July and will be held at the Converse Rubber Tracks studio, August 2—8.