I've heard in a couple of interviews from artists the likes of Sufjan Stevens, that some people have preferred to create and record music in inspiring locations as opposed to the traditional recording studio. I've personally been working on writing and recording my own stuff in the last few months and thought I would give this a try. I was really surprised with the impact it had on me.
I found a location in near East Town, Grand Rapids that was a perfect fit for me. East Congregational Church was built around 1929. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram, a famous ecclesiastical architect, the building holds an ornate, artistic quality that makes you want to be quiet and whisper when you enter. The same church dedicated a small chapel that seats 100 people or so, in 1931.The Chapel itself commands reverence and awe upon entering. It is a small, intimate space with the chairs inside set up in the round instead of the more formal row idea. I set up my Mac and my M-Audio Box in the center of the room. The contrast between the Gothic atmosphere and my computer had a really cool impact on me from the start. I felt like a spiritual explorer invading a peaceful, untouched relic with my modern tools and technology...you had to be there.
I've been in there many days now over the last couple of weeks and one particular discovery has been a real find for me. The heater in the chapel kicks on for about five minutes, once every twenty minutes. At first, this was driving me crazy because I couldn't record for those five minutes and I would have to wait until it shut off again. However, I learned to use the time to review and absorb what I was doing. Basically, I would hit play on the track I'm recording and with my headphones on, and I would lay in the middle of the chapel floor looking up, soaking up the atmosphere around me. Seriously, I felt like I was being transported to another place. I don't know if people will resonate with these recordings the way I have felt recording them, but this has been an experience of a lifetime.
The one thing I've sacrificed here above all else is efficiency. There are places I could have chosen to record that wouldn't have pestering heater noises and would be available to me twenty-four/seven. I guess my question after this experience for myself and anyone that would listen would be, "In a fast paced society that will only get faster as the years go on, where else are some areas where we need to choose inspiration and creativity over efficiency? Is it always important to work faster and live faster, or could we be missing something along the way?" I would love to hear what you think!
