Studio residency
Bringing artists, producers, and songwriters into our Detroit studios to create music without money being a barrier to entry has always been at the heart of Assemble Sound.
We’ve run some version of a “Studio Residency” since we opened our doors in 2015. Our studios have changed and our business has evolved over the last decade, but that ethos remains the same.
What is Assemble Sound’s “Studio Residency”?
The newest iteration of our Studio Residency is project-based.
Artists can apply to create and record a body of work at our recording studio in Detroit.
Selected artists will be granted free access to our studios for the amount of time needed to create and complete the specified body of work, whether that be two days, two weeks, or two months.
You tell us what you are trying to accomplish and how long you think it will take.
We assess whether our studio would be a good place for you to do so.
What you get as a studio resident
You get access to our Detroit recording studio and the gear inside. Our studio manager or interns will show you the ropes, but the rest is up to you.
What you don’t get as a studio resident
We do not provide a free engineer, producers, session musicians, songwriters, distribution support, sync services, funding, or any other resources to Studio Residents. You get access to Assemble Sound’s studio space– What you do with that space is on you!
Who are the strongest applicants?
The strongest applicant has three things:
A compelling and defined body of work they are looking to create.
A realistic sense of what they need to create it.
An idea of approximately how long they need to complete it.
A good application articulates what you're creating, why studio time is essential to that process, and how long you expect it to take. If what you need matches what we have, you’re a good applicant. If we love the project, you’re a great applicant. If both of those are true and timing aligns with open bandwidth at the studio, you’ll probably be an accepted applicant.
For those reasons, please give us as many details as possible when you tell us about the body of work you are looking to finish as a Studio Resident.
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Applications are open, rolling, and reviewed by staff on an ongoing basis. We bring in new Artist Residents when our studio has the bandwidth to accommodate them. Our studio must primarily service our record label and commercial music business, as those things keep the lights on, so bandwidth is always fluctuating.
If your project is urgent, the Studio Residency is probably not the best way to get it done, but you are welcome to apply. We review applications on a monthly basis.
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The residency is free. If you need an engineer or other services, you will be responsible for those costs. Any recordings that you create at Assemble Sound as a Resident are 100% owned and controlled by you.
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You do not need to live in Detroit to apply, but the studio is in Detroit so you will need to be here to do our Residency. We do not assist with housing for accepted Residents who do not live in Detroit.
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We will add new ones as studio capacity permits, indefinitely
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Yes! You are allowed to bring in anyone you need help you finish your project, whether that’s an engineer, producers, songwriters, or musicians. You are not allowed to bring in people who are not actively working on music with you in your sessions without permission from the Assemble Sound Studio Manager.
More INfo — Studio residency
How to Apply
Fill out this Google Form and we’ll contact you if you’re selected for next steps.