Spotlight On: The Arch Recording Studio, Southport

The Arch Recording Studio, located in Southport, Merseyside, is a unique and high-end recording space housed within a beautifully restored 140-year-old former Methodist church.  Spanning 2,500 square feet, the studio combines cutting-edge acoustic design by renowned acoustician John Brandt with stunning architectural features and natural daylight.  Its facilities include a 1,000 sq. ft. tracking room, an isolation booth and a meticulously crafted control room, making it ideal for diverse recording projects.

For these reasons, plus that The Arch also provides on-site accommodation for up to six people, as well as plenty of living space, we knew it would be the perfect home for Cruush and producer Sophie Ellis to create their best work during ReBalance 24.  We caught up with Tom over email to find out more…

Hello Tom, thanks again for being involved in ReBalance ‘24. Can you tell us a little more about The Arch – how did you get started? 

Initially, we had been searching for an industrial unit to build a recording studio and adjoining offices.  However, it seemed like the right way to move forward when the Methodist Church became available.  It was a lot riskier and more time-consuming as we had no idea what would be lurking under the floors or in the wall cavities during construction, and there were extensive planning challenges to navigate, but thankfully it paid off and we’ve ended up with something with a lot more character than if we’d gone down the easy route.  I’ve known both of the other Toms for a long time now and there is a lot of crossover between our respective businesses, so we’d been discussing a joint venture since 2016. Finding the church allowed us to solidify that plan.

How important was it for you to stay in Southport when building your studio?

We grew up around here, I had a smaller studio in Southport for 10 years before The Arch opened, so it just felt natural to carry on.  There are quite a few spots to go for food and drink if you know where to look, and it can be good for artists to get out of a city environment and focus on their creativity.  The studio itself is in the village of Crossens, which until recently was just a place you would pass through on your way into or out of town, but since we opened there have been a couple of bars and takeaways that have popped up in the immediate vicinity, so it feels like it’s given the area a new lease of life.

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

Having already been aware of Cruush’s musical output, it was a pleasant surprise to be contacted by Ruth from ReBalance to get the band into the studio with Sophie Ellis.  We were in an especially busy period at the studio, so there was a lot of back and forth trying to juggle dates with other artists to make it work, but being such a worthwhile cause we felt it was important to do what we could to get them booked in.

Do you think The Arch being residential, and outside of the city, alters the atmosphere at all for artists? I know Cruush felt they could relax while there.

It definitely allows people to lose themselves in the creative process more, but without being too disconnected from the real world.  And if people want to stay isolated, they can do that too.  If you load up on supplies on arrival, there’s no real reason to even go outside until you’re done!  Unless, of course, you want to interact with other people or get some vitamin D, but we also have a private outdoor seating area for that!

Are there any producers you look up to? Where do you take inspiration from in your own work?

Steve Albini (RIP), Sylvia Massey, Andrew Scheps amongst countless others.  I think what stands out about them to me are their attitudes to recording, production and music in general.  On a more local scale, we’ve had several different producers using the space since we opened, and I’ve personally learnt a lot from observing their different workflows and talking about gear, plugins and production techniques.  Overall, I take inspiration from anyone who isn’t afraid to step outside the norms of what a given genre is ‘supposed’ to sound like.  I think those producers make records that stand the test of time, because they aren’t worried about being different nor do they shy away from a challenge, it becomes solely about what is right for the artists.

What’s been your biggest lesson from the last few years launching The Arch?

That everything costs more and takes longer than expected, and it’s worth taking your time to get things right from the outset.  The Arch was initially just intended as a space for me to produce from, but there was such a large amount of interest from external producers that we’ve leaned into the dry hire aspect a lot more than anticipated, and as such had to change the marketing approach and start catering to other producers’ needs, rather than just my own.

What advice would you give anyone starting out in engineering or production?

Get a portable setup, record as many bands and artists as you can, across different genres and in different spaces.  Record stuff that you have no idea how to record, you’ll always learn something new.  Be confident in your abilities, but be willing to learn from others and be easy to get along with.

Any words on ReBalance, or your time being part of the programme? 

It was great having Sophie and cruush in the studio, they were all really friendly people and from what I heard when dipping in and out of the sessions, it sounds like they’ve produced some fantastic work.  I think ReBalance is doing important work as it’s giving people opportunities which may not have been afforded to them previously.  ReBalance feels as though it is providing a much-needed balance to the music industry.

Lastly, any favourite tracks you’d like people to listen to right now – either that you’ve worked on, or that have been made at The Arch?

I’m more of a ‘full album’ listener so I’d say 40 Watt Sun – Little Weight.  In fact, when we opened The Arch, we had 40 Watt Sun perform here, which was really special to see. There are a few records that have come out this year that were recorded at The Arch which I’ve found myself listening to, Giant Walker – Silhouettes (produced by Chris Coulter), A Burial At Sea – Close To Home, and Bicurious – Your Life Is Over Now… (both produced by Tom Peters).