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Gemini Studios: OC's Lockout Destination
| Posted on July 24, 2009 at 3:57 PM |
David Sachs
Orange County holds a number of diverse rehearsal locations; at some point you have to get out of your mom's garage and crank up the volume: practice how you play! Now that you're looking for your own sound-proofed oasis, let's review your options: Lock-out or Hourly.
| Hourly Studios | Monthly / 24-Hour Lockout Studios |
| Pros: - Flexible hourly studio rentals - Usually provide or rent gear - Fewer studios typically affords greater sound isolation | Pros: - Your own private monthly studio - 24-hour access - Your gear is always set up |
| Cons: - Must schedule a practice time - Generally no 24-hour access - Load-in and load-out gear each time | Cons: - Could be less professional - Usually can hear adjacent bands - Rarely provide gear |
In my experience musicians or bands typically prefer one type of rehearsal studio to the other if they:
| Hourly | Monthly |
| - Are just getting started - Have a casual practice schedule - Need to rent gear - Need a - usually - more soundproofed studio | - Have been playing awhile - Practice regularly, together or individually - Have their own gear - Are okay with possibly hearing other musician |
For this piece I spoke with Luke Allen, producer of the OC Music Awards and owner of Gemini Rehearsal Studios.
Gemini is a 24 Hour Lockout Studio based in Santa Ana and founded in September 2001 by Allen and Adam Fogel. Since it?s opened its doors, the studio has been the rehearsal destination of OC locals such as Thrice, Atreyu, Saosin, A Static Lullaby, Hellogoodbye and The Color Turning (During the OC Music Awards, Atreyu won Best metal, while Thrice and Saosin were both nominees).
Now is a great time to join the list of Gemini Bands, as their summer special includes half-off the first month's rent and $100 off the second and third month!
When asked what role Gemini and the OC Music Awards will play in the OC music scene, Allen claimed a supporting role: "Both are simply elements of a greater scene with the ability to provide needed services and exposure for our musicians." Allen also has great faith in the future of OC music, saying "I feel we are just waking up as evidenced in this publication being only a few months old, with a new venue here a new venue there, OC artists being played on KROQ and getting licensing with MTV. A strong sense of community developing and it is our time to make it happen in our home."
If you're interested in rehearsing at Gemini or performing at the 2010 OC Music Awards, check out the following websites.
www.gemnistudios.com
www.ocmusicawards.com ? free submissions are open for 2010 http://www.ocmusicawards.com/showcases/
Photo Credits: Myspace.com
Categories: Venue Features
