What's your background in the Nottingham music scene?
I moved to Nottingham in 2012 and met Will Robinson on one of my first nights out. We, The Breaksfast Club, started doing some acoustic shows for Kim Winter and then got given a decent break by INFL...
And that's how you got involved in I'm Not From London?
Yeah, me and Phil decided to get a studio and asked Will Robinson to come on board as he is basically the face of Nottingham music.
What makes your studio different to anyone else's?
We offer a variety of services that other studios simply don’t have. We have lots of space for practice and relaxation (including our Zen room equipped with various games consoles, cds and dvds for artists to enjoy before, after and during breaks in recording). We run workshops for children teaching them the history of music, DJ sessions/lessons, song writing workshops among other things
Have you hooked up with any of the other businesses in the Creative Quarter?
We’ve linked up with Nottingham City Guitars who are based on Woolpack Lane so we have access to incredibly rare and unique vintage equipment. Their shop and workshop is so awesome, if you play the guitar you should go and check it out, they have some beautiful instruments in there, dangling tantalisingly from the ceiling.
What's your favourite part of the recording process?
Personally it’s seeing all the hard work pay off with an amazing sounding finished product. I also enjoy hanging out with the artists and getting to know them as people and what makes them tick as musicians
What are your plans for the studio?
Make a well-rounded, community-based operation where people can feel comfortable and confident enough to really dive into our projects and feel proud of the results.
Where do you stand on Phil Collin's Sussudio?
I’m fairly certain it is about a studio, however I am firm in my belief that I will never understand or truly appreciate the works of Phil Collins (just not my cuppa tea).
What's your work/play ratio and now you have your perfect job how do you see this balance shifting?
Before working here I believe it was roughly 80/20 now I believe both will go hand in hand. Unless I sack myself for drinking on the job - unlikely but not impossible...
Tips for anyone starting out in music?
Be honest, work hard and be friendly. Do any gig at any venue - you never know who is there and if you change one stranger into a fan it will all be worth it. Record with us - between everyone involved we know music inside out and will happily share our knowledge with you.
The I'm Not From London Studio is now open, Warser Gate, NG1 1NU
I'm Not From London Studio Facebook
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
