Walking by 100 Powell St. in Gastown, the nondescript brick building devoid of any signage looks just like any other in the historic neighbourhood.
But it is in fact the home of The Warehouse Studio, one of Vancouver’s most iconic recording studios where big names including AC/DC, Elton John and Shakira have all produced music. For the first time, the facility is taking part in the Converse Rubber Tracks program that offers aspiring musicians the chance to record original music at no cost.
The company, best known for its Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, says it is launching this global program to give back to the music community that has supported them for so many years.
This latest project is an expansion of Converse’s permanent free Rubber Tracks recording studio that opened in Brooklyn, New York in 2011. This time around, 12 landmark studios across the world, including The Warehouse, are opening their doors. To be considered, between now and June 24, applicants must submit a video or written submission at Converse-Music.com/worldwide with a brief biography and a top three ranking of location preferences.
“Since we opened our first permanent Converse Rubber Tracks studio in Brooklyn four years ago, we’ve had aspirations to elevate this program even further, hoping to extend this opportunity to artists across the globe,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director.”
Artists picked to take part will be notified in July, and following a planning meeting with studio producers will be taken to one of the studios they picked for their session in September. Converse will cover most travel accommodations, and all rights to material created stay with the musician.
Media were given a quick tour of The Warehouse Studio on Monday evening, led by operations manager Bryan Gallant. There are four rooms dedicated to recording spread over three floors, and everything has a vintage feel to it, from the heavy use of heritage wood to the impressive collection of retro microphones on display behind glass.
Gallant went on to give a little history of the building also known as the Oppenheimer. Built in 1886, the space was first used as a supply warehouse but was transformed into the current form in 1997. And although music of all genres is made at The Warehouse Studio, he said “Vancouver is a rock and roll town, for sure.”
