New community music recording studio in Palmerston, the first of its kind in the Northwest Territories

We’ve all seen music videos of bands jamming in the studio, filled with microphones, instruments, and recording gear.

But it’s not often you get the chance to get in there yourself.

A new recording studio in Palmerston, south of Darwin, will help future musicians and professionals record their work.

The studio, located at the public library, was officially opened by the city of Palmerston earlier this month and was named Gulwa, which means “singing for everyone” in Larrakia, in collaboration with Larrkia Nation.

“It’s the first of its kind in the Northern Territory,” Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said.

“We have a lot of very talented people in the community, so it gives them the opportunity to make their own recordings and get exposure.”

“The most advanced place in the territory”

The City of Palmerston said the studio is fully equipped to be used for audio and visual recording, mixing and post-production and broadcast.

Danny Christie is a local sound engineer and will be on hand to help artists in the studio.

He said it was designed as an industry standard space.

The council said the studio would be available for individual or group rental as well as industry and would offer a cheaper rate for individuals and nonprofits.

Mr Christie said it was important to ensure the studio is accessible to local artists.

The City of Palmerston said it hopes the studio will give the community a chance to leave its mark.

“Engaging young people in many types of recording projects, as well as the wider community,” said the council’s general manager of community and culture, Anna Ingram.

Support artists

Crystal Robins is a Darwin-based musician and said the studio would help ease the recording process.

“We always had to bring everything in, set it up, put it away at the end,” she said.

So it’s great to have a purpose-built space here.”

Mr. Christie said the studio had not only made it easier to set up the recording, but had also helped set artists up in the industry.

“A lot of local talent will fly to Melbourne or go to Sydney, and that’s not really something we should be encouraging,” he said.

Mr Christie said young artists were already excited to be able to use the studio.

“We had a few beat-makers checking out the space, who were really excited,” he said.

“…a 13-year-old kid who was like, this is amazing, I can’t wait to get in here.”

Mayor Pascoe-Bell said it was important to cultivate talent in the community.

“It’s important for cohesive communities that art and culture be a very dominant theme,” he said.

A community open house will be held at the studio on Saturday.