Seaside Lounge: A Recording Studio Grows in South Slope

A full list of the musicians that have recorded at Fifth Avenue recording studio Seaside Lounge reads like a who's who of the music industry’s finest: Sharon Jones, The National, The New Pornographers, Okkervil River and Andrew Bird, to name a few.

The studio began modestly in 2003 as a rehearsal room and studio in owner Josh Clark's apartment in the MadArts building on 18th Street near Fifth Avenue. But what started small quickly became something much bigger when the opportunity to rent out the basement of the building became available.

"That summer I made a bunch of money doing computer consulting," Clark said. "I cashed out and decided to really start a studio in October of that same year in the expanded basement space."

 A few months later, Clark joined forces with fellow musician and recording engineer, Charles Burst. 

Clark and Burst never looked back. Since 2004, Seaside Lounge has been a fulltime, professional (albeit small) recording studio that has attracted some of music’s biggest names to this corridor of Fifth Avenue.

Comprised of five rooms that house two complete analog and Pro Tools equipped recording studios, and an extensive equipment list, Seaside has everything that a big studio has, without the high priced day rate.

Clark and Burst credit word of mouth, a good website, and affordable prices as some of the reasons for their success. 

 "Most studios don't publish prices and I think part of what has been really good for us is that we always have," Clark said.   "People respond to that.  They go to the website and they see a price.  Our rates have always been pretty damn cheap."

It also doesn't hurt that both Clark and Burst are accomplished musicians in their own right: Burst is a veteran of the Brooklyn music scene and currently records under his own name as a solo artist, Clark’s band, Rope, is currently at work on a full length record.

 "The amount that we all play music is one of the studio's biggest assets," Clark said. Even if you aren't a musician, if you know how to tune an instrument, or tune and set up drums, especially, that's the most elemental starting point of any recording." 

Sohrab Habibion, of the Sub Pop and Comedy Minus One band Obits, agrees.

"I've had the pleasure of working at Seaside a bunch," Habibion said. "It's a very comfortable place to spend time. That it's run by musicians comes through in the details.”

He praised their equipment and technical prowess, but added “they understand the importance of crafting a good atmosphere."

The recording spaces themselves are warmly lit and decorated in such a way that seems tailor made for the creative process.  Seaside also has a cozy lounge area with a small kitchenette where bands can hang out when not recording. 

Location is another attraction for musicians like Habibion, who lives just a few blocks from the studio. 

"When we first opened, we kind of thought we were in the middle of nowhere as far as the art and music scene goes," Burst said.  "We were surprised to find out that a lot of musicians live around here."

"It seems like almost every band that records here has at least one member in Park Slope," Clark said.   

Some of these local bands include up-and-comers like Takka Takka, Bird Of Youth, and Federale, as well as previously mentioned hard hitters like The New Pornographers and The National.

Many of these records were recorded by engineer legendary producer Phil Palazzolo, who Clark and Burst credit with bringing the studio much of its big business.

"Yeah, he's really brought in a lot of the big names," Clark said.  "He's been with us from the very beginning, and he's been instrumental to the success of the place."

"You can't really write an article about the studio without talking about Phil Palazzollo," Burst is quick to chime in.

 The studio and the neighborhood have grown steadily together since the studio's inception in 2003.

 "The proximity to everything is a huge asset.  Nobody has to walk more than a block for anything they want.  Bands are often more comfortable here at the studio than they are at their own apartments," Clark said.

"Everything about the studio's location is beneficial," Burst added.   "Eagle Provisions, the polish supermarket is awesome - you can get a big sandwich and they have a great beer selection.  Roots Cafe is also right around the corner.  But when we started, none of these businesses existed."

The neighborhood may continue growing, but Seaside has reached a level of success they are happy with.

"As of about a year ago, we got the studio where we want it to be in terms of the gear," Burst said. 

"What we charge is really commensurate with what we offer," Clark added. "We really just wanted to get to a self sustaining place and we really got there."

Local musicians and music fans everywhere reap the benefits of their achievement.