Jack Antonoff wants to open recording studios in LGBTQ+ youth homes

Not everyone Making music has access to recording studios, and Jack Antonoff wants that to change. In an Instagram message, the Bleachers singer-songwriter, who has worked with Taylor Swift, Lorde, Lana Del Rey and countless others, said that after learning the best way to build studios, he created a “Public Studios” Initiative launched to democratize access.

“I plan to spend much of the next chapter of my life making these spaces accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them, making public studios accessible to those of little means,” he wrote. “It will take time and a lot of resources, but here we have a plan that starts with working with the Ally Coalition (Antonoff's charity) to build studios in LGBTQ+ youth homes. From there we will have a network of engineers that we will fund and train people at these locations. Our plan is to build these spaces, pay for maintenance and technology, and have the centers allocate the time slots so people can use them. From there we can start expanding into cities once we get there.”

Antonoff wrote that he announced the venture early to raise awareness and ask for help. “Anyone who believes in this and has resources that can help, please reach out as we get this off the ground,” he wrote, adding that organizers of the effort can be contacted at [email protected].

He also admitted in his note that he was launching this at a particularly bad time for the recording studio industry. Demand for commercial studios has declined in recent decades as musicians have turned to home recording and several studios were hit hard by the Covid lockdowns a few years ago. “Finally, I would like to address all the commercial studios that I love: this concept is exclusively for those who cannot afford the studio time in these spaces. So I am convinced that this is helpful for our spaces too,” he wrote.

Read Jack Antonoff's full announcement:

Shadow of the City October 1, 2024, 1:00 PM EST

I love recording at home or in hotel rooms and the level of recording that can now be done there is something wonderful for anyone.

but the studio is different. Working with analog gear and creating sounds that are impossible to recreate is powerful. It's important to know that you can only stay in one place for a limited time and push yourself to the limit. A studio is a rare space and it makes you function differently.

I fly on planes and look down and see baseball diamonds everywhere, basketball courts all over my neighborhood, racetracks, public parks and gyms, etc. There are many amenities for what we value. My dream is for the studio to be a place that everyone has access to, not just those who have the money for it. It should be a place that all people can experience and find out if they are meant to be there.

I loved home recording, but my life changed in a recording studio. There is magic. Laura and I have learned how to build studios and it's time to share this with those who might not otherwise find themselves there but need to.

I plan to spend much of the next chapter of my life making these spaces accessible to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to them. Public studios are available to those who have little money. It will take time and a lot of resources, but here we have a plan that begins with working with the Ally Coalition to build studios in LGBTQ+ youth homes. From there we will have a network of engineers that we will fund and train people at these locations. Our plan is to build these spaces, pay for maintenance and technology, and have the centers allocate the time slots so people can use them. From there we can start expanding into cities once we get there.

The reason I'm getting the message out so early is so that anyone who believes in this and has resources that can help should reach out as we get this underway. [email protected]. Finally, I would like to address all the commercial studios that I love: this concept is exclusively for those who cannot afford the studio time in these spaces. Therefore, I am convinced that this is also helpful for our rooms.

public studios