PLAYING ALOUD STUDIOS

Stuart Green
Mar 19
2 min read

Playing Aloud Studios celebrate their 21^st anniversary of opening this year. What started life as a UPVC windows salesroom has now evolved to become the only multi-purpose music facility in Lincolnshire. Co-owners Martyn Bewick and Scott Nairn, who have owned the studios for the last 14 years, have taken the business to a new level. They have injected some heart and soul into the place, which now feels more like the beating heart of the local music scene.

Playing Aloud consists of four rehearsal rooms and an impressive upstairs custom-built recording suite. Also on offer is live sound engineering, equipment hire and music tuition. Looking around there were various instruments and sound kit for sale. Martyn commented, ‘since the closure of all the music shops in Lincoln, there’s a real demand for a place where musicians can try out something they want to add to their collection.’ He added, ‘we offer ‘dry hire’ of our recording studios so producers can have the chance to experiment with the kind of technology which otherwise would be financially out of reach.’

Martyn talked about some of the regulars at the studios, ‘just in the last week we’ve had rap and punk artists, folk and jazz musicians, as well as indie and rock bands.’ He described a Cream tribute act who practised with them, consisting of family members from the actual band, including Ginger Baker’s son.

After music college in London, Martyn worked as a session musician and guitar teacher. He’s keen to give back to the industry that’s given him a job. His next ambition is to return to live promotion and re-launch the Playing Aloud Presents… nights, giving new bands a chance to perform on a full-size stage. Look out for this at Southside in the summer. Martyn’s own band, It’s Karma it’s Cool will be playing with The Northern Captives at The Komodo on March 27.