Spotlight on: The Albion Rooms, Margate

Imogen Mew is the Studio Manager of The Albion Rooms, Margate, where Bebeluna and producer Taylor Pollock decamped for a few days as part of their time on ReBalance. The studio is residential, is also a venue, and is steadily increasing in popularity with a fast-growing clientele – largely thanks to it’s location by the sea, its relative privacy, and the enhanced equipment now available. We caught up with Imogen to learn more about the space, and their plans for 2025.

Could you tell us more about The Albion Rooms, how it started, and why Margate was chosen? 

The Albion Rooms started in 2017 when the Libertines took over a Victorian townhouse in Margate, which at the time was the “worst B&B in Margate”.  Born out of their desire to have a physical place to tie the band together and an artists’ space that fosters creativity, they renovated it into a decadent hotel, bar and recording studio.  Since then, it’s been through a few incarnations but we’ve found our feet with the residential studio and creative events space.  There’s much lore as to “why Margate?” but ultimately the band felt an infinity and adopted this as their shared home town.  Margate’s always been a very artistic, bohemian place and this really resonated with them.  Since the pandemic, Londoners (mainly those in North and East) have relocated to Margate, in search of a calmer life by the sea.

What do you feel The Albion Rooms offers to the area you’re in – was it important for you to set up by the coast?

We really strive to embed The Albion Rooms in the local community. When we moved away from the hotel side of things, it felt really like the building had more to offer Margate; specifically Cliftonville as we are able to offer cheaper rates of recording and accommodation for local musicians and producers – there is a big community of music industry creatives in Margate.  There’s something so beautiful and freeing about seeing the sea every day.  The sunsets are something else – Turner did say we have the most beautiful skies.

Can you tell us about why you got involved in ReBalance 2024? 

It’s really important to me, as a woman myself, that womxn are given an equal chance in any industry, but particularly the music industry.  Being associated with the Libertines, we are overwhelmed with white, all-male bands and this is just not representative of the world today.  We really need to bring some diversity to the studio, not for the very least, because it gets boring as hell!

Do you think The Albion Rooms being residential, and outside of London, alters the atmosphere at all for artists? I know Bebeluna and Taylor felt they could relax a lot more while there.

I think it gives artists the opportunity to really retreat and reflect.  There’s something very calming about being by the sea.  You definitely have to slow down in Margate and adjust to not having everything you want immediately.  There’s no Uber!  I love now that we are able to offer residential stays to artists as it breaks down that barrier and creates a more homely feel.  The fact you can just wander downstairs, soak up some sea views and then head straight into the studio.

What’s your favourite part of managing the studio?

As well as managing the studio, I manage the building as an event space so my days can be really varied, which I love.  The thing I enjoy most is getting to know all the artists; by the end of their sessions, it can feel a bit like saying goodbye to a family member – I often stand on the steps waving them off.

One highlight that I have to mention is having a Libertines’ song about me and my partner.  We moved to Margate on a whim and Carl was inspired enough to put our story in the song “Oh Shit!”.  Which is kind of crazy but also cool that it’s like a snapshot of a moment in time, which has now been immortalised forever.

What advice would you give anyone looking to start out in studio management?

I got into my studio manager job in a bit of a topsy-turvy way as I come from a hospitality background where I was previously managing the hotel and bar.  I was nervous to take it on at first but luckily we already had a great engineer so I knew that side of things was covered.  Managing the studio is hospitality at the end of the day, you have to ensure that anyone who comes to the studio has an amazing time that they remember.

I think the key advice would be just take every opportunity you can as you never know where they might lead.  Create and collaborate with as many different people as you can… because that’s what makes any work more fun and interesting.  Particularly for womxn, it can be a hard industry to grow in but there are some amazing initiatives out there just like ReBalance and Women in Music, which should be taken full advantage of.

Any advice for those coming to work or stay at The Albion Rooms in future? 

Get some swimming shoes for cold water swimming dips first thing and the free sauna, which is less than a 5-minute walk from The Albion Rooms.  Amazing way to start the day, but the shoes are a lifesaver!

Any words on your time being part of the programme? 

It was really great meeting Bebe and Taylor through the programme, just lovely, very talented people.  Super respectful and have to mention – very tidy – which is unusual.

Lastly, any favourite tracks you’d like people to listen to right now – either those that have been made at The Albion Rooms, or just in general? 

Warmduscher did a live session recently and I was blown away by their talent, the track sounds the same as the recorded version.  They are unbelievably talented musicians, so anything by them.  Also Lees, a solo female vocalist was based in Margate over the summer and played locally and I can’t stop listening to her new song Our House – lovely and soulful, feels a bit nostalgic.