Bands and solo artists have thrown their weight behind a campaign to rescue an iconic Glasgow recording studio which is co-owned by a Rutherglen musician.
They are performing in a series of online concerts to save from closure Carlton Studios – one of the city’s longest serving music studios, founded in 1990 by Rutherglen’s Barny Taplin and fellow musician Jake McKechan.
Barny and 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.
Established in 1990, the future of Carlton Studios is hanging in the balance as it struggles to meet its running costs of £30,000. So far, donations of around £12,500 have been pledged.
To help save it from threatened closure, the studio will be offering a livestream gig featuring a different local band or solo artist on Facebook every Saturday from 8pm until 8.45pm until the end of February.
First up at the weekend was Jake’s band, James King and the Lonewolves, which emerged on the Glasgow music scene during the post-punk era.
Barny and Lesley will also take the stage on February 13 as part of Carlton Jug Band – a favourite of the city’s live scene whose revolving cast of members can boast recording and touring credits with the likes of Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Mick Ronson and the Three Degrees. They will be backed by guest drummer Mince, of the Fratellis.
The gigs are all free to watch but viewers are encouraged to make a donation in support of the Save Carlton Studios Crowdfunder appeal.
Members of both groups are also contributing all proceeds from original tracks to the cause.
Bottom Of The Sea by James King and the Lonewolves, and Shine Like The Star You Are – a collaboration between Jug Band singer Lesley and Kenny Hyslop – are available to download on the Bandcamp app at £1 each.
Concert livestreams and song downloads are accessible through the Carlton Studios Facebook page.
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
