Did you know that some of the world’s greatest music has been recorded in log cabins? Maybe it’s the inspiration that comes with the solitary and calm environment a cabin can provide, or maybe these spots provide a space for real focus and concentration a traditional recording studio cannot give.
Most indie music lovers would be familiar with Bon Iver, who recorded his debut album in his father’s remote hunting cabin an hour northwest of his hometown, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Bon Iver had fallen ill with mononucleosis and a liver infection, and had grown frustrated with his songwriting and life. The album was recorded at the cabin between late 2006 to early 2007. The musician hunted his own food and spent much of his time isolated. The cabin was built in 1979 by his father and Bon Iver would often spend weekends there growing up. It stands on 80 acres of land, rich with aspens, wolves and wild turkeys.
Let’s explore this ‘cabin fever’ in more detail, because many musicians before and after Bon Iver have chosen a
log cabin as their preferred space of creation.
Here are some of the most famous log cabins turned into recording studios:
The Cash Cabin Studio
Johnny Cash built the original cabin in 1978 as a place to find solace and make music. However, the idea of it being a studio did not arrive for some years. It just so happened that Johnny and June Carter Cash ended up recording most of their later music here when recording gear and a comfortable mixing room were installed.
The Cash Cabin Studio is now a state-of-the art recording studio owned by John Carter Cash, and many talented musicians and famous entertainers have made music within these walls. The list includes more than 500 artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Elvis Costello and Mavis Staples.
The Noise Floor
This studio was built from the ground up with the intention of creating a peaceful haven for musicians and a retreat with beautiful accommodation for artists to stay while the record. It took four months to built it; a large boat shop was converted into a live room, dead room, control room and band lounge. The live room is 20’ x 18’ with a ceiling height reaching 13’ at it’s peak.
It is spacious enough to accommodate a 3-4 piece band and comfy for the solo performer. The room is quite lively but not overly bright and is perfect when natural ambience is needed on acoustic instruments such as drums, strings or vocals.
The Noise Floor is located in Gabriola Island, one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, Canada and it’s the go-to studio for psychedelic, punk and rock bands in BC.
The Log Cabin Recording Studio
Surprisingly, the Log Cabin Recording Studio is not out in the wilderness somewhere. It is actually in the heart of Manhattan, New York City. However, the studio’s creators have worked hard to obtain a special atmosphere, and from inside the studio, you would think you are in the middle of the woods.
The studio provides high end technology in a rustic setting. There is a large room for live recording, a drum booth, and a kitchen for when musicians need a coffee or a snack between takes. The live room has a grand piano and warm wooden walls and floors that make for good acoustics. Artists who have recorded at the studio include David Bowie, Feist, Lenny Kravitz and Bryan Adams.
The Bomb Shelter
Owned by Andrija Tokic, this quirky studio is the next generation of Nashville cabin studios. The Bomb Shelter has a vintage look and uses old gear, but it’s putting down on tape a new era of blues and rock.
Just like The Noise Floor, The Bomb Shelter offers lodging at its original home for its out-of-town clients, a 4 bedroom house that sits just a few blocks away from the studio. The studio clients are offered a discounted rental rate.
What do you think? As a music lover, are you fascinated by log cabin albums? As an artist, would you record
your music in one of these spaces?
