With grassroots music continuing to thrive across Darlington and the wider North East, Unit 8 Studios is aiming to provide local musicians with a clean, well-equipped and affordable place to rehearse. Lee Allcock spoke to the studio’s founder, Jacob, about his own experiences as a musician, the thinking behind the space and his ambitions to create a supportive hub for local bands and emerging artists.
What inspired you to open Unit 8 Studios in Darlington? And what gap did you feel there was in the local music scene?
Unit 8 Studios really came about through my own love of music. I’m a drummer and play with a local band, 3rd Chapter, so I know first-hand how important it is to have somewhere decent to rehearse. I wanted to create the sort of place I’d be happy turning up to every week. Somewhere clean, comfortable, secure and properly equipped, but without losing the relaxed feel that a rehearsal room should have. When the opportunity came up to take the unit, I could immediately see its potential. Rather than just creating a room and renting it by the hour, the idea was to invest in it properly and build somewhere that bands could simply turn up, plug in and get on with playing. There are some great musicians and bands around Darlington and the wider North East, and I felt there was room for another high-quality rehearsal facility that was accessible and affordable.
What can musicians expect from Unit 8 Studios in terms of the facilities, equipment and overall rehearsal experience?
We’ve put a lot of thought into the room and the equipment. The studio has been acoustically treated and we’ve invested in a proper PA system, Yamaha speakers and mixer, microphones, stands and all the cabling needed. We’re also building up a good selection of backline equipment, including guitar and bass amplification and a keyboard. Ultimately, we want bands to have the option of bringing very little other than their instruments. For me, though, it isn’t just about the equipment. I want people to enjoy being there. There’s Wi-Fi, somewhere to sit and have a break, refreshments and all the little things that make a rehearsal more enjoyable. We also have secure access, so it feels like a proper, dedicated music space rather than just an empty industrial unit with a PA thrown in.
Darlington and the wider North East have a thriving grassroots music scene. How do you hope Unit 8 Studios will support local bands and emerging artists?
I’d love Unit 8 to become part of that grassroots scene. Running a band isn’t cheap. By the time you’ve bought instruments and equipment, paid for transport, rehearsals and everything else, the costs soon add up, particularly for younger musicians.
We want to keep our prices sensible while still providing good-quality equipment and facilities. I’d also like to work with new and emerging bands and give them somewhere they feel comfortable developing their sound.
What has the response been like since opening?
We’re still very new, but the response so far has been really encouraging. We’ve had musicians through the door, and the feedback on the room and what we’re trying to create has been excellent. It’s also been great seeing the studio actually being used after spending so much time getting everything ready. Being a musician myself probably makes me my own worst critic because every time I’m in there, I spot something else I want to add or improve!
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for Unit 8 Studios? And what would you like the studio to become for musicians in Darlington and beyond?
Recording is something we’re interested in developing, and we’ll continue adding equipment and improving the facilities as the studio grows. I’d rather let it develop naturally and listen to the musicians using it than try to turn it into something it doesn’t need to be. Ultimately, success for me would be hearing someone say, ‘We need a rehearsal – book Unit 8.’ If we can create a little hub for musicians in Darlington, help some new bands get started, support established bands and have plenty of good music and laughs along the way, I’ll be very happy. And, selfishly, I’ll always have somewhere decent to play the drums!
To find out more about Unit 8 Studios, head to unit8studios.co.uk.
