In honor of Sound of Music’s fifteenth year anniversary, I sat down with co-owner/engineer John Morand to ask him questions about the studio’s beginnings, philosophy, memories, music, and plans for its upcoming celebration.

Sound of Music Recording Studios has been serving Richmond’s music community and beyond since 1994. Avail, Cracker, Denali, GWAR, Hanson, Sparklehorse, and Strike Anywhere, are just a few clients from its lengthy roster. In honor of Sound of Music’s fifteenth year anniversary, I sat down with co-owner/engineer John Morand to ask him questions about the studio’s beginnings, philosophy, memories, music, and plans for its upcoming celebration.

How did Sound of Music (SOM) get started? When did it open for business?
JM: “In 1993, David Lowery and I were renting space and making records at Turpentine Mill Studios. After the success of Cracker’s second record, Kerosene Hat, David bought recording space and we opened Sound of Music in 1994. We had one studio above Metro Sound and Music and the other nearby. In 1997, we moved both studios to our current location.”

Who were some of SOM’s first clients?
JM: “FSK, Sparklehorse, Inquisition, Four Walls Falling, and The Technical Jed were some of our first clients. After we opened, there was a momentum in Richmond’s music scene that helped bring in business.”

Why do musicians choose to record at SOM?
JM: “Musicians want to work with engineers who know how to make records. They want to record at studio that will work within their budget and timeframe. They have access to a wide range of vintage gear, instruments, and a variety room sizes to capture desired sounds. The studio environment is also important. We want our clients to feel relaxed and at home while they work and create. There’s nothing worse than recording in a studio that feels like a spaceship... a place where everything is so nice, clients feel guilty if they bring dirt in or accidentally spill a drink. We also provide in-house musicians to assist clients when needed.”

What are five essentials for a great recording?
JM: “A quality song, a thoughtful arrangement, a good groove, a wide frequency range and a wide dynamic range are essential for a great recording.”

What are a few of your unusual recording techniques?
JM: “I’ll set up two amplifiers across from each other and spin a microphone over my head like a lasso while recording guitars. It creates an effect similar to a Leslie speaker. I’ve had a singer record vocals through a walkie-talkie as he walked through a convenient store.”

Numerous bands have recorded at SOM. What are your most memorable recording sessions?
JM: “Recording Gutterball’s record Hazel. The supergroup came together, wrote and recorded the album live in three days. The amount of talent in the room was unbelievable. Working on Hanson’s demos was quite an experience. It was strange working with such young and talented kids! They were so green and had yet to experience the disappointment that comes along in music business. The demos helped them get signed to Mercury/Universal.”

What music should we be on the lookout for?
JM: “Dark Sea Dream, an experimental metal band from DC. Richmond folk artist, Jonathan Vassar. Matt Tracy’s compositions for an upcoming play based off of The Martian Chronicals. Hip-hop artist, Infamous. Neo-folk singer/songwriter, Neeka. David Lowery’s upcoming solo album. Carbon Leaf’s new record. Louisiana Territory, an indie rock band from Richmond.

SOM is celebrating its fifteenth year anniversary this quarter. Any plans for a party?
JM: “In honor of our fifteenth year, we opened a record store on October 9.  The store is open during First Fridays and carries local releases from Richmond bands and labels.  We want to promote awareness of Richmond’s music scene and bring back the record store experience. We’re going to have CD release parties on November 20 and 21 featuring Blue Line Highway, Hugo Haggie, Ki:Theory, Maki, and Marionette. An album release party for Anduin is in the works as well as a screening of the SOM documentary that was shot last year. Next month, we’re going to have a fun Christmas party and release a compilation of SOM’s songs over the past fifteen years in business. ”

Thanks, John!

For more information about John Morand and Sound of Music, visit SoundofMusic.org.

By Author: Michael King

Michael King returns to Richmond, Virginia after working four years in the music and television industry. He’s a VCU graduate thrilled to finally use his English degree for Magazine33! On road trips, he enjoys listening to indie rock, folk, and NPR. He digs the sound of a Fender Telecaster and is nerdy about guitar pedals. An ASCAP member, his music has been placed on MTV and Destineer video games.

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