The Third Challenge

Banana Row Studios

Words by Stuart Smith, BA Graphic Design.

"Banana Row Studios is one of Edinburgh’s most popular rehearsal and recording facilities. Purpose built and situated in the heart of the capital ‘The Row’ offers a creative hub with state-of-the art equipment for local and national talent."
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The third venue we arrived at on the Creative City Challenge was Banana Row Studios. As soon as we walked in we were met by Jonty who told us a bit about what they do as a company. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and Jonty was really enthusiastic for us to be there...

We asked Jonty a few questions and he happily answered. He told us about the job opportunities they have which was everything from session work, events, administration and even the engineering that goes into the sound equipment. Also, everyone who works there has some musical background and are able to be adaptable and flexible to do any of the different jobs they have. For example, when a band is short a member, someone who works at Banana Row will be able to step in for them during the rehearsals and recording.

Jonty also told us about the media they use on a regular basis and admitted that they needed to be more prevalent on social media although they do have facebook and twitter it’s not used as much as it could be. Banana Row also has a website used to market the company and word of mouth are used to get the information out there also.

​The background of each employee at the company varies significantly as well. For example, Jonty told us he got a fine art degree from university but then ended up working in a prison, then as a nurse and finally now works at Banana Row. Also, there was someone else who worked there who did not go to university and went straight to work so the company is very diverse.

Banana Row has a lot of freedom in the way it works with a lack of formal procedure but is very flexible. Jonty said he enjoyed how creative Banana Row is and how it develops musicians with people coming from 15 years old onwards and developing as artists.
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The challenge we were given was to create a jingle for Banana Row Studios using the recording studio. We were left in the room to come up with the jingle while Jonty sat in the control room ready to start recording. We came up with a short script which was read by Eglė, Catriona was on drums, Mima on congas and I played guitar. It was an amazing experience using professional sound equipment and was great fun coming up with the idea for the jingle and recording it.
 
After recording we all went back into the studio to review our creation. It was amazing hearing our recording through the sound equipment there. Overall the experience was very interesting and fun but it was Jonty's enthusiasm that made it. At the end, Jonty told us that he enjoys what he does and it shows. It was also great to see that whatever degree you are doing it can be applied to a wide number of job opportunities, not just that field which was evident in Banana Row Studios in the variety of people working there.

​Thanks for having us!

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