A Rutherglen musician has received cash pledges and heartfelt testimonials from local and international artists who are backing his campaign to save the iconic recording studio he owns from closure.
Co-owner of Carlton Studios and Rehearsal Rooms, Barny Taplin, and his partner, Lesley O’Brien, both of Farme Cross, have launched a crowdfunding appeal to stave off the venue’s threatened closure due to the financial stress caused by the pandemic.
But on Sunday, a week after the appeal to save it opened, raiders broke into the studios, stealing hundreds of pounds of donations and causing £1000 of damage.
Established in 1990 and one of Glasgow’s longest surviving music studios, Carlton Studios – which has helped shape the careers of Franz Ferdinand, The Fratellis, Biffy Clyro and The Silencers – is struggling to meet its running costs.
The break-in has put additional financial strain on the cash-strapped venue, which is fighting for survival.
The music centre, co-owned by Barney of The Carlton Jug Band and Jake McKechan of James King and the Lone Wolves, began as a collective, with the help of a small start-up grant and support from The Scottish Cooperative Development Company.
In its 30 years, musicians from hobbyist to full-time professionals across Glasgow, the UK and internationally have used its services.
In normal times, Carlton is often used by artists performing at the Barrowlands, the SSE Hydro and Celtic Connections.
As well as providing social work and college and school student work placements, the studios have also supported recovery from addiction and promoted positive mental health.
Barny, who has become known as Carlton’s “tour de force”, describes the studios as “the sum of its parts, whose punters make it what it is”.
The musician, who led the campaign in the 1980s to save Paddy’s Market, says of the venue: “You just never know who you will meet, famous, infamous, talented, creative, wacky, up for a bit of banter in the cafe, a jam, or a professional artistic collaboration.”
But unless the venue can raise £30,000 to cover day-to-day expenses, this cultural institution is in danger of closing.
Pledges and messages of support are flooding in, with local and international artists singing the praises of the cherished venue.
Artists who have offered support include Mince Fratelli, Larry Love of the Alabama 3, Kenny Hyslop – the original drummer with Simple Minds and Slik – and singer songwriter, Mary Kiani.
The Musician’s Union declared it “an institution” in the Glasgow music scene.
Marianne McGregor, winner of the Rising Star Scottish Jazz Award 2019, is just one artist whose career took root at Carlton Studios.
Marianne, who became associated with the venue seven years ago, treasures its diversity and friendly atmosphere.
She said: “It’s great to see a place that doesn’t have any attitude towards who you are or what music you make or at what level.
“The encouragement towards young musicians and those starting out is phenomenal.
“A lot of the success I have achieved is down to the supportive and encouraging attitude of the studio and its people. Not only a well-priced and friendly place to rehearse or record tunes, this establishment is also a hub of creativity, enterprise and an authentic space where all art is celebrated.”
Mince, drummer with The Fratellis, who has been using the studio since 2002, added: “I fell in love with the place – the rooms sound really lively, like a gig. This is where we got our act together and learned all the tunes.
“They’ve made a studio for musicians and they care about the bands. It’s the personal touch that makes the place so amazing.”
Mary Kiani, a Glasgow-born singer songwriter who now lives in Australia, described the studios as “an iconic institution, built on love and friendship and understanding”.
Kenny Hyslop, now living in the Philippines, said: “When I gave up touring in the late ‘90s, the Carlton team suggested I start teaching drums.
“With their help and support, it built up to a successful business. I’m eternally grateful to them for that.”
Larry Love of the Alabama 3, said: “When the Alabama 3 come to Glasgow, there’s only one place we go to. It’s called Carlton Studios.”
And in a video shot in support of the campaign, he appealed: “ Now, people. Dig deep, give thanks – and help keep Carlton Studios alive.”
Within nine days of its launch, donations to the appeal – which has a £30,000 target – totalled nearly £10,000.
Lesley O’Brien, who is the studios’ events manager and a member of The Carlton Jug Band, said that although the team are gutted by the weekend break-in, they are determined it will not dampen spirits that have been lifted by the tremendous response to the crowding appal.
She said: “I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that has been given from musicians and artists that have used it for 30 years, and people who did their work placement there 20-odd years ago and are commenting about their experience.
“People have used words like: ‘It’s the beating heart of the Glasgow music scene’ in hundreds of positive messages.”
Donations can be made at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-carlton-studios.
■ Carlton and other studios like it have fallen through the net of Government support packages, such as the 100 per cent Covid council tax relief for some sectors.
To back the campaign to close this loophole, sign the petition at: http://chng.it/FWSQM66L
