Smash Yo Records in Ashford, Kent is the world’s only charity studio. Launched in November 2011 by volunteer mixing/mastering engineer Narcis “Nachos†Radoi (previously an Entertainment Manager for two nightclubs in Kent and a prize-winning DJ at venues including Pacha, Egg, Cargo, MOS and Ibiza), the studio’s mission is to help out artists, bands and singers or anyone who wants to set foot in the music industry. And they do it all for free.
We spoke to Nachos to find out why he does what he does and how he does it. This is what he told us, “I realised that the entertainment industry was struggling and I wanted to provide help for people like me who are just trying to find a job doing what they are good at. After I finished my degree, I studied with a couple of engineers (one of whom worked on albums for Phil Collins, Gorillaz and Jamelia at Abbey Road). I then produced and recorded tracks for the BBC, Universal and Sony. But, when I got offered an in-house engineer contract for Atlantic I decided to turn it down in order to start something which would actually provide opportunities for people. We now offer free help, support and advice as well as studio services to local artists around Kent and London, as well as across the UK and beyond. We believe everyone deserves a chance to make a career in something they love, even if they can’t afford to go to a big studio to do it. Instead we do it for them, offering the same standard, but without the costs.
“Why do we do this? Because not all artists have a chance of getting their tracks to a commercial standard without signing to a label, and labels are not willing to spend a lot on developing artists nowadays; they expect everything to be done by the time it gets to them. This means that the artist usually has to invest his/her own money in getting their tracks up to standard, because simply submitting them as demos means they will probably never get listened to.
Nachos commented, “Studios who offer the equipment and experience we provide would charge around £200-300 per track. But we do it for free for unsigned, struggling artists who need help finding jobs, sending demos, or just looking for someone to acknowledge their existence. Unfortunately we don’t get the chance to record many artistsexcept for the occasional local artist who only needs to record vocals or single instruments (which is why we are looking for studios to partner with). Our mixing/mastering service is just on-line at the moment but we can help with constructing tracks; strategic / knowledge management consulting; copyrights; ISRC codes; OMF; DDP; free mixing and mastering or post production; help finding distribution channels; promotion through our video/radio show and social media channels; placement for tracks/artists; connection with A&R / labels worldwide.
Smash Yo Records are currently looking for donations and sponsors to help them keep doing what they are doing. Their aim is to partner up with other recording studios on a work/transfer basis whereby studios provide paid mixing/mastering work (that would be sent to us as a donation) in exchange for paid recording sessions which would come from Smash Yo Records’ and be funded by donations and signed artists they help.
Smash Yo Records is a label with big plans and skills, built on an ethos of kindness, quality and charity. To date they have helped over 500 people find jobs and they have a weekly video/radio show providing help, support and advice for (and featuring) unsigned artists. They should be any musician’s first stop on the musical ladder so, if you’re feeling generous please donate to the cause. Email submissions to info@smashyorecords.co.uk to get involved.
