I am incredibly lucky!
And, the building where I’ve had my music studio for what’d be 10 years in October has been sold to owners that want to do something different with it.
The skinny is that I need a new musical home somewhere before July 31.
I don’t need much space — my current workroom is 11×11-ish, with high ceilings that accommodate two rows of guitars on the wall, plus I have an 8×8-ish closet next door with cases and extra gear. I’ve been paying $550/mo for this. So, I’m looking for a situation that’ll be affordable. I’m not 100% opposed to a shared room, but I definitely would prefer to have a place that I can go 5 to 7 days a week as I have here.
Here’s the love story:
I started out in Laurel Canyon, renting a room adjacent to a garage — which I found on the Canyon Country Store board, I think — in a building owned by a photographer. The photographer had moved to LA from Israel in the 60s, was part of the Hollywood Foreign Press, and it turned out he knew well a dear departed Swedish friend of mine who’d written about me… Small world.
Initially, I was renting unknown to him from people who were renting from him. I was in love with that little place, so when he kicked out those tenants, he and his business partner tried to rent the huge house with me attached! Who does that? So generous and sweet! Well, when that situation didn’t work out, they rented me a space in their building across the street from Hollywood High School.
It was so much better!!
This place was on the top floor of an historic studio where Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and Frank Zappa had recorded in the 60s. And my now friend and his wife had bought it in the late 80s(?) and turned it into his photography studio, archive, and real estate office. The vibe is so historic here! He’d actually taken pictures of Laurel Canyon luminaries back in the day. It was all just a perfect circle.
I started using the place for my recording and bringing in other singers to do their records. But mostly it’s been my sanctuary. I learned how to sing loudly again after quieting my voice in shared spaces. I felt so free.
When I left Laurel Canyon, I moved to the edge of Beachwood, and this place became walking distance — which was extremely convenient when I was without my car for 4+ months during the catalytic converter theft epidemic! It’s a healthy walk, and I think some of you saw my posts about the local color as I walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I still find it wonderful!
Here we got through the pandemic. Then the owner died. His wife and I both shared our cancer stories, learning about it within months of each other. She was the sweetest. She reminded me so much of my mom; we’d talk about theater and politics. And, of course, I was often enlisted for tech help! She passed about 18 months ago.
The children have finally sold the building, and it’s bittersweet.
This place is a veritable museum of collectibles. And just like I didn’t take many pictures while we were having sessions, I never took photos of the building or the legend that was posted, telling its history from 1922 when it was built.
I’ve made so much music here. I’ve found myself here. I’ve helped others do the same. My favorite comment came from a young artist who told her mother — who’s also recorded here — “We feel safe at Jason’s studio.” It wells me up even now to write that.
That’s what we’ve had here. We’ve had a safe space to be artists. That’s the greatest gift for any sensitive soul who wants to make art. I’m looking for another musical home for that.
I absolutely love my actual home, though it’s too small to bring the studio there. I’m willing to consider moving if finding a place to make music that fits in my total budget means that I’ll have to bring it in-house. Ideally, I want to find a separate place within my current neighborhood, meaning a two-mile walk. An ADU, a garage, whatever will work. This place did not look like a music studio when I took it over, despite the fact that it had been a control room prior to the 80s! I’m open to almost anything. The priority is to have a place to practice, record, and be creative.
I’m so grateful to all the artists who’ve been up my elevator-less three flights to create with me! And I’m grateful to the family that’s rented this space to me. It has been a joy! It hurts to see it come to an end, but as George Harrison said, “Sunrise doesn’t last all morning. A cloudburst doesn’t last all day.”
Much love to you all. Please send ideas my way, and prayers up, if you’re so inclined.
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