Recording Studio

In the four years since its birth, The Department of Safety has a rich history as a recording facility. Dave Matthies operated his Vibe Control Studio here for a couple years, producing a long list of classic albums. Karl Blau & Phil Elverum have engineered albums for themselves and others in our venue. Ryland Bouchard holed up for a winter and recorded his controversial new masterpiece Good World. Evan Williamson has also operated a studio space, working with a wild variety of genres and artists for his Murder Mountain collective.

For more info about recording your music at the DoS, email Kevin Erickson at kevin@departmentofsafety.com

Today, new DOS resident Kevin Erickson now offers recording opportunities to local artists looking to make great-sounding recordings on the cheap.

We mean cheap! $10/hr!

We don’t have all of Dave’s rad analog gear any more, but we do have a great sounding space and a skilled engineer who’s stoked to help you get the sound you want. Kevin is also well-versed in the art of digital editing, able to turn your recording from a messy basement ballad into a sweeping epic worthy of mainstream radio distribution. Heck, Kevin will even play on your record. And who knows who might stop by to help out during your recording session? Karl? Phil? Jake? Brian? Bill? Nate? Kyle? Kyle? Gunter? Jed?

Since the Department of Safety is so flexible in many facets of its day-to-day operation, recording here has many interesting perks and opportunities. One session may find musicians recording in “the big room” (our garage/venue) with its wonderful old piano, several electric organs, natural reverb, and open space. Another day may lead to a session in the weird-but-awesome stairwell or in the cozy confines of the art gallery. You are only limited by the length of the snake! You know, the thing you can plug xlr and 1/4” cables into? Yes, that.

We also offer a comfortable living area with full kitchen amenities, high-speed internet connection, showers, and hostel beds. Bands that record at the DoS hit the tape in style.

We also offer some limited CD mastering capabilities.

BANDS KEVIN HAS RECORDED WITH:
The Oregon Donor
Ruth Allison
Satellite Bingo
Cactus Flower Wonderland Band
Velocitation
Fetching Lettuce
A whole bunch of others for live sessions on the radio over the years but that doesn’t count because they didn’t actually “hire” me so it wouldn’t be fair to list them here, but hey, it was fun, and some of those recordings sound awesome.

BANDS DAVE HAS RECORDED WITH: (for archival purposes)
the gift machine
D+
the Crabs
the Microphones
Little Wings
Thanksgiving
Karl Blau
Nate Ashley
Laura Veirs
The Jesus Chords
Squid Vs. Shark
Fidalgo Swing Band
Lee Baggett
Burl
the Graves
Spoonshine
Dame Dulce
Bryan Elliot
Amigo
the Poison Dart
etc…......