Introduction
This video features an interview with Dwight Yoakam at East West Studios, a historic recording studio in Los Angeles.
Key points from the interview include:
- Studio History: The studio was originally named Western Recorders and was financed by Frank Sinatra, opening in 1960 as a space for his Reprise Records artists . It was built in an old supermarket building .
- Dwight Yoakam’s Connection: Yoakam recorded his new album, “Three Pairs,” at East West Studios and also began his recording career in Los Angeles there, cutting his first demos in what is now Studio 4 or 5 . He recorded these early demos with engineer Gordon Shook and a group of musicians including Glendy Harden on piano and David Mansfield on mandolin and fiddle .
- Historic Landmark: The building has been declared a Historic Landmark and is one of the few remaining legendary studios in Los Angeles that hasn’t been torn down .
- Notable Recordings: Many famous artists recorded in this particular room, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Mamas and the Papas, The Monkees, and The Beach Boys, with Brian Wilson cutting the majority of “Pet Sounds” here .
- Studio Acoustics and Design: The room is very large, built to hold an orchestra, and has high ceilings like a soundstage . Yoakam notes that the room has a natural feel, is not overly bright or cacophonous, and the original linoleum and acoustic tile contribute to its unique sound . He believes there’s a “molecular memory” in the room, as the linoleum and walls in the three main rooms remain unchanged .
- Importance of Preservation: Yoakam emphasizes the artistic and aesthetic importance of maintaining these historic rooms, as they offer a different sound than modern recording setups . He commends East West for preserving the studio as it was .