Smart Studios

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Coordinates: 43°05′15″N 89°21′59″W / 43.08748°N 89.366468°W / 43.08748; -89.366468

Smart Studios
General information
Type Recording Studio
Location Wisconsin, United States
Address East Washington Avenue, Wisconsin, USA
Town or city Madison
Country United States
Current tenants Garbage, various bands
Completed Opened in 1983
Client Garbage (Butch Vig)
Owner Butch Vig
Steve Marker
Landlord Butch Vig

Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands.

The studio became famous for producing artists such as Killdozer and Sub Pop artists Tad and eventually Nirvana. In fact, the version of their song "Polly" that appears on their album Nevermind was recorded there. The Smashing Pumpkins' debut album, Gish, was also recorded at Smart Studios.

After the initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own group Garbage who released their debut album in 1995. The band, fronted by Scots frontwoman Shirley Manson, have recorded each subsequent album there, including 2005's Bleed Like Me.

The studio has survived various mishaps, including flooding, and, on September 10, 2003, a backhoe careening off the outside junction and crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors due to financial difficulties.[1] Following the closure, Madison filmmaker Wendy Schneider started making a documentary on Smart Studios.[2] In 2012 the Wisconsin Historical Museum assembled an exhibit based around the studio, Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes.[3]

On September 3rd, 2013, Brian Liston re-opened the former Smart Studios as Clutch Sound. Clutch Sound retains the Russ Berger buildout while updating the technological infrastructure.

Selected list of albums recorded/mixed at Smart Studios

Producers and engineers associated with Smart Studios

  • Butch Vig (founder, producer and engineer, member of Garbage)
  • Steve Marker (founder, producer and engineer, member of Garbage)
  • Mike Zirkel (studio manager, producer, engineer)
  • Chris Walla (producer, engineer, member of Death Cab For Cutie)
  • Sean O'Keefe (producer, engineer)
  • Brandon Mason (producer, engineer)
  • Al Weatherhead (producer, engineer)
  • Beau Sorenson (producer, engineer)
  • Justin Perkins (producer, engineer)
  • Duke Erickson(producer and engineer, member of Garbage)
  • Brian Liston (producer, engineer)
  • Doug Olson (producer, engineer)

References

  1. ↑ Smart Studios closing March 1
  2. ↑ Madison Music Scene & Heard: Smart Studios documentary; reuniting bands, Smart tapes
  3. ↑ Wisconsin Historical Museum looks at Madison's rock past in Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes

External links

Butch Vig
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Notable Production work
Related articles
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