Issue Ten- February 2021:

By Natasha Althouse

“Resting in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains of New York lies a magical space called ‘Artfarm Recording Studio’.  It is and has been a dream come true destination for many musicians, artists, and retreat goers for two decades.

There must be something to the fact that whenever a rainbow stretches across the open sky above the acreage, it always has a resting place right on the studio. 

Painting a picture of this unique location in The Hudson Valley can be limited by words alone- one must walk the land, make a sound in the live room, weave among the evergreens in the wood, and snuggle with Sarge the resident dog to understand deeply the gem that it is.  The 100-year-old renovated historic barn turned recording studio is a musical marvel in itself.

The live room was once the cow stable and when owner Sean Boyd and a handful of his close friends commenced the transformation, they realized quickly that the acoustics of the room was beyond excellent. 

The adjacent sound room was co-created with David Swanson and has 16 layers of sheetrock separating it from the rest of the house.   With a working commercial kitchen, a quaint upstairs lounge area with sleeping quarters for 10- one can step into Artfarm and shed the restrictions of time, schedule, and outside stressors.

To have a recording studio with state-of-the-art equipment (digital and Analog), impeccable sound quality rooms, high-quality instruments, a resident bodyworker/massage therapist, relaxing and comforting hues and spots to meditate and ruminate is essential for a whole and balanced experience. Perhaps, one might find some of these fine elements in other spots around the world, undoubtedly. What anchors the magic of the gestalt of one’s time there is sharing your art with Sean Boyd. 

His warm nature is felt in every corner of the space that is his dream manifested.  The love, attention, and energy he has planted on that land cannot be overlooked.  His life of music, touring, curiosity, resilience, and family deliver a gift of presence and humility to every interaction one has with him. 

From the first conversation, through dozens of hours of recording and editing, to sharing a bonfire in the field-time spent with Sean is a grounding, comforting, and inspiring breath. His intention to create Artfarm derived from this essential nature of creativity and curiosity that he affords.

He wants to have “groovy people create groovy things” and feel great about it all.  

To have an artist feel as if they are creating in their own living room is always the space Sean holds in his heart for every session. Patience, allowance, kindness, and expertise all wrapped up in an exciting calm of co-creation brings artists to that comfort level and brings them back as part of the Artfarm family.” 

       *Artists who have recorded with Sean at Artfarm-The Fretless, Theo Katzman, The Felice Brothers, Phoebe Legere, Bon Debarras, Jericho, Bryce Goggin, Duncan Wickel, and more…”

Questions For The Photographer:

By Mercedes Barreto

In your time at Artfarm, what stands out the most? The sheer, impeccable state-of-the-art quality design, or the welcoming family nature of such musical establishment?

“The Artfarm exterior, along with the interior, has a quality of being relaxed and at ease with the surroundings. The design of the interior stands out since it is a renovated barn and space was laid out with function in mind. There is a second-floor area for relaxing and sleeping, the first floor is for the performance area and the control room, along with the kitchen area which allows for food and beverages without leaving the premises. It is run like it is family and has that feel to it. Set in the Catskills, it is secluded so as not to bother the neighbors but access is easily accessible from the main road.”

If famous bands and musicians were to record and choose Artfarm, why would they? In your observations?

“A famous band would record here not only for the ambiance of the exterior and interior but also for the feel and sound of the room. Along with the skills of the owner Sean who has worked with many outstanding musicians in the past. He has a wall devoted to CDs recorded at the studio.”

If you were to take just three pictures of Artfarm Recording Studio, what would those pictures be themed on, and why? Where would you take those pictures, if those pictures could represent the studio as a whole?

“It would be hard to choose just three, it would depend on what the viewer was interested in. But I think if I must choose three, I would choose one of the control room, one of the live room, and one of the relaxation area on the second floor.”

What are two amazing artists, whom of which you would have the pleasure and the absolute thrill of photographing, who have recorded here?

“I know that The Fretless, Theo Katzman, The Felice Brothers, have recorded there and would love to photograph a recording session or performance of these acts.

Maybe after they read this I will.“

(Photography Courtesy of Joe Mack’s Event Photography).

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