VIDEO: Sutton studio puts music at heart of the community

But situated behind Barista café is the vibrant Outram Street Arts and Media Studio, which houses not only a recording studio but a sophisticated editing suite with 15 iMacs.

The creative hub is owned by EVE Trades, a community interest company which is a subsidiary of the homelessness charity Framework, and being in the heart of Ashfield, means that local bands can easily access the facilities for themselves.

Danny Draycott, studio manager, said: “What sets The Outram Street Arts and Media Studio apart from the rest is its ethos of wanting to support the local music scene by making industry standard recordings more accessible, essentially bringing what big cities have to Ashfield, but at competitive prices.

“The studio is owned by EVE Trades, which means that any profits are fed back into the social aims of the company, with a big one of these being to take on volunteers to help them gain experience in the industry, something which is priceless in today’s economic state.

“If these volunteers are successful then they will become paid members of staff.”

Danny himself studied music for five years and then became a volunteer, crediting this as being one of the main reasons why he got his job.

The studio is currently building a team of volunteers who want to study or have studied and want to work within the music industry.

Volunteers all have a different area of expertise - the assistant engineer attends sixth form to study music, while others include a budding journalist, a post graduate media student and an event organiser.

The studio is modern, bright and spacious, consisting of a large live room and control, with the live room also doubling up as rehearsal space for any singers or bands needing a space to practice in.

Ashfield-based band DH Lawrence and the Vaudeville Skiffle Show are just one of those who already use the facility.

Danny added: “The future is an exciting one for this dynamic and ambitious studio with plenty of plans in the pipeline.

“Friday will see a recording session for The Ashfield Factor winner and the studio also has an open day planned for 21st September, when the public can come down, have a look around and ask any questions. Dale Carline will be performing in Barista coffee shop.”