ST PETER — The latest addition to the south-central Minnesota music scene is open and ready for business -- a one-stop-shop for all aspects of musical production.
“We want to give an opportunity to artists who have a vision,” said Nate “Nage” Showalter, chief engineer and producer for the combination studio-production-promotion house in St. Peter.
“We thrive on taking those artists and pushing them just a little bit further.”
Studio checklist
State-of-the-art studio with pitched ceilings, no acoustics-killing right-angles, insulated walls and new “hear-back” system which allows recording artists to create their own monitor mix without the aid of a producer? Check.
Double-doored and sealed vocal chamber with handmade, sound-deadening stage curtains as well as echo and voice-over capabilities? Check.
Full-dome camera system and $35,000 DVD-maker to allow artists to make their own studio videos? Check.
Deals with digital distribution and mastering companies? For sure.
In-house graphic designer to create CD art and large staff to manage and promote shows? No doubt.
Inexpensive $50-per-hour studio fee to allow artists of all skill levels to pursue a professional studio experience? You bet.
“We can do everything,” Showalter said. “We’re going to give people the highest quality possible but still make it affordable.”
Sudden origin
But the origins of the studio located in the basement of the Bungum Realty building (Audio Addix began with Brite Idea, an advertising company located upstairs) are shrouded in intrigue.
Construction on the studio began Jan. 2 -- just a few days after Showalter received an invitation from a friend in the music industry to design and run a music studio in Minnesota. That friend had a vision for an employee-owned studio that catered to established artists as well as emerging acts.
Showalter was rapping and producing music in Pennsylvania at the time, but couldn’t turn down the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” He promptly packed his bags and drove through the night in a snowstorm to reach St. Peter in time.
That friend calls himself “Irvin.” The behind-the-scenes benefactor asked not to be quoted in this story. Instead, he said, the focus should be on the local contractors and employees who are making his dream a reality.
To build the studio, “Irvin” used all local companies -- including Bob Meyer Construction in Madison Lake, Otto Electric in Mankato and Marco’s Computer Services in Mankato -- and worked out a deal with Quality Pawn to provide guitars, amps and other house instruments. Audio Addix also hired 25 employees, all local.
“We want to be for the community,” he said. “That’s our dream.”
Adding to the mix
This region has a rather illustrious, if somewhat unknown, history of recording music.
The Mankato-based Two Fish Studios has recorded such artists as Aerosmith, Johnny Lang, Sum 41, Martin Zellar, Sheryl Crow and The Pixies. Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls is now being renovated into Organica Studios after a new owner purchased the dilapidated building where Nirvana recorded “In Utero.” Soul Asylum, Live and The Jayhawks also recorded there.
Audio Addix is wasting no time joining their ranks.
About 24 hours after opening, the frontman for the Canadian band Kill the Autocrat -- which achieved a measure of national notoriety last year when striking unions adopted the band’s socially conscious and pro-working class music as an unofficial soundtrack for the cause -- flew in to do some recording. A host of other Minnesota artists -- Mercies May, Literati, Nick Mac and G-Beck -- have also found their way to the studio.
Kaila Przymus, a Minnesota State University marketing student who doubles as the head studio promoter for Audio Addix, said this area’s music scene is growing rapidly in quantity and quality. Audio Addix, she said, will help grow that talent.
“Mankato is so packed with talent right now,” she said. “We want to make opportunities possible.”
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