Music creators on Salt Spring Island can now apply for a chance to record their songs for free, as the Salt Spring Island Public Library opens signups for its Pop-Up Recording Studio program. Applications are being taken through July 3rd for recording sessions happening from July 24 to 26 at the library’s FabLab.
The program, funded by the Wilding Foundation, gives musicians, bands, and artists about four hours of studio time with a professional producer. The library brings in all the gear needed to record a full group, and the finished song is mixed and mastered before being given back to the artist. “Our goal with the Pop-Up Recording Studio is to give all Salt Spring Island residents access to record their music, without the challenges of travel, cost and stress that often accompany paid studio recordings,” the library states on its program page.
The Pop-Up Recording Studio is part of the library’s FabLab, a community makerspace that also offers free use of 3D printers, laser cutters, and design tools. The Wilding Foundation has put over $700,000 into the FabLab over five years, making this technology available to everyone at no cost. Past recording sessions have featured local acts like Tonk, Zelk, Kai Barrette and the Moonshiners, and The Wandering Wolves.
On an island with a year-round population of about 11,000, professional recording options are scarce. Musicians usually have to travel off-island to Victoria or Vancouver and pay for studio time. The Pop-Up Recording Studio removes those hurdles by bringing the whole setup into the library after hours. During the three-day event, selected applicants will work one-on-one with a producer to capture their music without the usual price tag or ferry trip.
Interested residents can apply through the library’s website until July 3rd. Because spaces are limited, the library uses a lottery-style draw to pick who gets a slot. The program is open to all Salt Spring Island residents, whether they are seasoned performers or first-time recording artists.
