By Emily Bontatibus
Michael O’Connell (left) and Will Lederer (right) of Expanding Sky Studio. Photo by Emily Bontatibus
There are only a handful of top notch recording studios in Maine, and a new one just popped up.
In April of 2022, Expanding Sky Studio, officially finished construction in Fort Andross, located in Brunswick, Maine.
From taking music lessons at Peabody Institute and studying drums with Alan Dawson,
Michael O’Connell, the CEO of the studio, developed quite the knowledge of music and recording studios. With a knack of creating sounds, he eventually found himself in a band where he acquired a taste for recording music.
“We had our guitar player who really was into recording,” O’Connell stated “He kind of got me into recording, and there was one part of me that really took to recording and engineering and learning all that stuff.”
With the new space built, O’Connell went on the hunt to hire a lead engineer and business manager.
“I owe so much to Michael,” stated Will Lederer, the lead engineer of the studio. “I mean, I never would've been able to do any of this stuff without him.”
Lederer studied music theory and composition at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, leading to his success at the mixing table.
Beginning with his friends’ four track tape recorder, a loop pedal and a multitude of instruments, Lederer was able to target his obsession at a young age.
Will Lederer sitting at the mixing board in Expanding Sky Studio. Photo by Emily Bontatibus
“What we want to do is record really exciting musicians and help people to make the best possible music that they can,” he stated.
Expanding Sky Studio has already seen the power of music by giving back to the community.
“The teacher said these people were just so closed down and now all they did was talk all the way back in the car just chatting away,” stated O’Connell with a grin.
The studio has reached out to local Veteran projects offering a space for them to express themselves through music. They’ve also connected with Midcoast Youth Center in Bath where they send kids in to learn the basics of a recording studio.
While helping the community is one part of O’Connell’s vision, he has other plans as well.
“The other part is to find local talent and give them world-class treatment,” he said. “Which they will get here. We're very proud of what we do.”
Drum set and other instruments in Expanding Sky Studio. Photo by Emily Bontatibus
The studio is aware that most local artists and bands do hold other day jobs besides creating music, so they make sure to accommodate as needed.
“We heavily discount, but that's also good for us too, because when they're successful we become more successful and the word spreads,” said O’Connell.
Local artists Rigometrics and Honeymoon have both worked with Expanding Sky Studio to create beautiful music.
But, Lederer expressed, operating a recording studio is a strenuous, yet rewarding job.
Arriving about an hour before the talent arrives, Lederer makes sure the studio is clean, comfortable and welcoming; whether that be picking up the cables laying across the floors, preparing the instruments needed, setting up the technological equipment or making coffee.
“It's surprisingly exhausting because you think you're just sitting there, but it’s tiring,” he said.
According to Lederer, it is sometimes difficult to decipher where the lines lay as a producer. Sometimes the producer, recorder and mixer get all squished together when an artist comes into the studio. Other times, artists come in only looking for a recording or a mix.
The second floor of Fort Andross where Expanding Sky Studio is located. Photo by Emily Bontatibus
With goals to support the community and provide a high quality facility for local artists to grow, Expanding Sky Studio will certainly gain attraction.
However, this studio coming to fruition does not go over the head of O’Connell.
“I can sit back, or produce, or compose music and bring it in,” he said, satisfied with his work.
Feel free to reach out to the studio!
They are located on 14 Maine Street, Suite 0128b, Brunswick, ME.
Will Lederer- will@expandingsky.com
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