Smart Studios

43°05′15″N 89°21′59″W / 43.08748°N 89.366468°W / 43.08748; -89.366468

Smart Studios
General information
TypeRecording Studio
LocationMadison, Wisconsin, United States, 1254 East Washington Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin
Completed
1983
Closed2010
OwnerButch Vig
Steve Marker
LandlordButch Vig

Smart Studios was a recording studio located in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands. The studio produced bands such as Killdozer, The Smashing Pumpkins, L7, Tad, Nirvana, Hawthorne Heights, and Fall Out Boy. After initial production and remix successes, the building became the recording hub for Vig and Marker's own band, Garbage, who released their debut album in 1995.

The studio and its role in shaping the sound of 1990s alternative rock is the subject of a documentary film titled The Smart Studios Story (2016).

History

The studio survived various mishaps, including flooding, and a backhoe crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio in 2003. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors because of financial difficulties. In September 2013, producer and musician Brian Liston re-opened the former Smart Studios facility as Clutch Sound.

In 2012, the Wisconsin Historical Museum assembled an exhibit on the studio, Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes. Filmmaker Wendy Schneider made a documentary on Smart Studios, The Smart Studios Story (2016), in which she interviewed artists, record producers, and engineers who worked in the facility.

Works

The following is a list of artists who recorded at Smart Studios.

Recorded / Mixed albums

Producers and engineers

References

  1. ↑ "NIRVANA STUDIOS NOW COMPLETE GARBAGE!". Nme.com. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. ↑ David Wahlberg (January 9, 2010). "Smart Studios closing March 1". Madison.com. TownNews. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ Michael Popke (June 26, 2014). "Clutch Sound brings music back to the old Smart Studios space". Isthmus. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Wisconsin Historical Museum looks at Madison's rock past in Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes". Isthmus. June 21, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  5. ↑ Bob Koch (February 19, 2010). "Madison Music Scene & Heard: Smart Studios documentary; reuniting bands, Smart tapes". Isthmus. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  6. ↑ Kory Grow (March 6, 2014). "Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan and More Appear in Smart Studios Doc Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Who's recorded at Smart?". The Smart Studios Story. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  8. ↑ Juvenile Truth; no enemy; Lyrics & Photos; 1984
  9. 1 2 Heller, Jason (February 26, 2014). "Get Involved, Internet: Smart Studios doc will honor where Nirvana made history". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Goodbye house of grunge – Smart studios to close". The Guardian. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  11. 1 2 Graff, Gary (15 March 2016). "Butch Vig on the Making of Nirvana's Pivotal 'Nevermind' and New Doc 'The Smart Studios Story': Exclusive Video". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  12. ↑ "Paw – Dragline (1993, Red Translucent, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 Grow, Kory (6 March 2014). "Smart Studios Doc to Feature Dave Grohl". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.