1/29/10 Lounging in the morning after a late night is the best

I had a good night yesterday.

I went to a party at the Gibson show room, located at the old Hit Factory. Even though I have worked in the top studios of NYC, I did miss the legend that was the Hit Factory. I never saw it while it was still open. To be honest, I always looked at it w disdain. They were so corporate, cold and sterile, their price structure unyeilding. Home of the old recording studio model, when labels had budgets, and rooms came w many more tea, coffee, and snack options. Anyway, I only saw a little part of it (most having been turned into condos), but I gotta say: it seemed like it had been a really cool studio w its own vibe. With the failure of so many legendary places in the past 8 years, it really made me think. I used to work at Chung King*, which closed just few weeks ago. I haven’t felt any remorse yet, because JK deserved it. But being at the Hit Factory made it hit home. The feel of the rooms, the history, was at least still there in some way. Chung King was a place where I did my first real recordings, where I was part of the history, where SO many artists came to CREATE the music that still can be heard all around the world, where so many engineers, producers, assistants, interns, and receptionists made the magic happen and got to start their careers, it was totally gone! Yeah, they may move to a new location, but the real thing is a thing of the past.

Wow, it’s really sad…it was a holy place. Ironically, now Trinity Church will have its way w it. Turning it into something else completely, some lame office. I am glad at least the Hit Factory got to keep part of the rooms. May Unique, Sound on Sound, Hit Factory, Sony, Legacy 38th St., Edison, Green Street, Looking Glass, Sigma Sound, Sorcerer, the many more, and especially Chung King, rest in peace.

On the brighter side, Gibson’s showroom is super cool. They put a bunch of Gibsons out that we could play and try out in there. Fun fact: I have an old 68 souther jumbo acoustic that I call Gibby. It is literally my best friend and most prized possession. Anyway, the 20dot20 people picked an awesome spot. Free booze, good music, good times.

So now I found out I don’t have to freelance today. I get to sit around in bed for a while and drink hot camomile, watch tv online, and do some work on Tatiana stuff. The sun is shining in my windows, I am tucked in, and hunger is striking. Going to make myself a herbed goat cheese and ratatouille omelette w turkey bacon. How jealous are you guys LOL ??? Isn’t life good sometimes??

*(in addition to Avatar, Quad, and now Premier)