Le Studio

Logo of Le Studio

Le Studio was a recording studio located just south of the town of Morin Heights, Quebec built in 1974 by André Perry and Yaël Brandeis. It was regarded as the first 'environmental' recording studio outside a major urban center. The venue introduced a concept which defied convention for sound studios: a large floor-to-ceiling glass wall (which contradicted acoustic rules), providing an unobstructed view of Lac Perry and the surrounding Laurentian Mountains. The intent was to provide state-of-the-art technology with a nurturing, creative atmosphere.

Many international artists recorded their albums at Le Studio, including Rush, Nazareth, The Police, Sting, Cat Stevens, The Bee Gees, David Bowie, Keith Richards, April Wine, Kim Mitchell and Bryan Adams. These artists would ensconce themselves at Le Studio and its guest house for the duration of their recording process, which could last from between one to four months or more.

The engineering staff included: Nick Blagona, Ed Stasium, Leanne Unger, Paul Northfield. André & Yaël Perry sold Le Studio in 1988.

"As of October 2011, Le Studio remains unoccupied and basically abandoned. We have visited the site a few times this summer, and lately someone has definitely tried breaking in. The main door has sadly been hacked out around the lock and the door pins pulled to unsuccessfully gain access. Signs that someone may have illegally squatted there can be seen from the rear where we can see a makeshift woodstove and chimney, having been used for heat. Clearly, if anyone has acquired the property they have no interest in returning it to any kind of use. The piano that can be seen in most of the videos online sits there, unused. The pool table that countless personalities must have played, and is seen in April Wine's "I Like To Rock" video, is also still present, including cues." – Yaël Brandeis, Le Studio manager

Le Studio featured in the music video for Limelight by Rush

2000s

According to a 2006 blog post by Neil Peart, drummer and lyricist of Rush, Le Studio closed and sat abandoned, not far from his residence in Quebec:

"I drove us [Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee] to my house on the lake, sometimes playing Finnish rally driver on the snow-covered roads. Along the way, we passed near the village of Morin Heights, where we had shared so many good times, recording at Le Studio — now closed and abandoned. The number of albums we had made there stretched from Permanent Waves in 1979 to Counterparts in 1994." – Neil Peart

The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight" and "Vital Signs".^[1] The studio is also seen in April Wine's music video for "I Like to Rock."

The 233-acre (0.94 km²) site was listed for sale in July 2007, with an asking price of C$2.45 million.^[2] The property remained for sale until 2009, when it was purchased and converted to a retreat and spa.

Recently a video of Le Studio was made in August, 2010 by a fan who lives in the area, detailing its deteriorated state:

As of May, 2011, the building remains in the same condition as shown in the above video: unpowered, unheated, unoccupied and with no upkeep.

An updated visit was made by fans to the property in cooperation with its current owners. Video and photography was shot on site for archival purposes, covering the entire inside of the building and its current state. These fans will be presenting a documentary on a new 2011 Le Studio channel found here:

Albums recorded at Le Studio

References

External links

• Village LeStudio Official Site
• Andre Perry - Former Le Studio Founder/Owner
• Nick Blagona - Former Le Studio Engineer
• Albums Recorded at Le Studio

Coordinates: 45°52′34″N 74°16′11″W / 45.876137°N 74.269848°W / 45.876137; -74.269848