Rock-n-Platinum

Farewell Rock-n-Platinum, Hello Lofts!

2009-12-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

A warm thanks to everyone who made the Rock-n-Platinum Showcase possible: the talented designers, the generous sponsors, stalwart movers, the amazing photographer, the eternally patient graphic designer, our web team, videographer, etc. We hope that everyone enjoyed the experience.

While the staged rock habitats are no longer, the story of the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios is just beginning. The project is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification now that it has been completed, making it the first building of its type on the West Coast.

If you didn't get a chance to stop by and check them out for yourself, feel free to contact the Sunset Team to schedule a time for a private tour or to stop by for an open house.

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios in the News

2009-12-14T09:23:00.000-08:00

For anyone who wasn't able to make it out to see the Rock-n-Platinum Showcase, here are a few quick links to fill you in.

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios were just covered by ArchDaily, Inhabitat, Treehugger, and Jetson Green. EcoHome will feature an interview with Greg Reitz later this week. Also look for us in February on the Indigo Project as part of their special program on architecture and design.

And on the off chance that you don't read the interwebs, you can catch us on TV in January on Open House LA. Watch January 16th and January 17th for a personal tour of the rock habitats.

California Real Estate Journal Names Greg Reitz a "Green Leader"

2009-12-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

We all kind of knew it already, but now it's official. Greg Reitz was named a "Green Leader" earlier this month by the California Real Estate Journal. Check out page 26! REthink Development's green philosophy is pretty simple. "We aren't starting off the process to chase points. We're just trying to design the best building possible."

That said, the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios are nonetheless expected to garner enough LEED points to become the first Platinum mixed-use, multi-family building on the West Coast.

Rock-n-Platinum Public Tours - Nov. 7 - 8

2009-11-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

Buy tickets in advance here:

http://rocknplatinum.inticketing.com/events/59526

Or donate on site.

Designers in the News, Coolhaus in the Haus!

2009-11-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

The David Bowie Bachelor pad by Rogerio Carvalheiro

Unless you've ceased to read the interwebs, you probably already know that the Rock-n-Platinum showcase is open to the public on weekends. For a donation of $10 (which goes to Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA) you can take a self-guided tour of these one-of-a-kind rock habitats, get a peek at this expected LEED Platinum building, and support a good cause.

But what you might not know is that Lori Dennis (of Dennis Design Group, the dark design team behind the Alice Cooper Lair) and Jennifer Siegal (one half of the design duo behind the 30 STM penthouse) are both in the headlines this month. Look for Lori Dennis in this month's issue of Angeleno as the winner of the magazine's design competition (see page 140 - 141). And tonight, Jennifer Siegal is being honored by the SCI-arc Alumni Association with a Distinguished Alumni Award. So you see, you really should try to make it out to see another little slice of their work.

But as if that weren't enough reason to come out this weekend, we have an added treat. Coolhaus - our favorite roving purveyor of architecturally-inspired desserts - will be parked in front of the Lofts on Saturday, Nov. 5th from 12.30 to 2.15pm. Even if you can't afford to LIVE in a piece of modern architecture, with Coolhaus there, at least you'll be able BUY and EAT some!

Buy tickets in advance here. See you at the showcase!

Loft photo by Tara Wujcik.

Sandwich photo via LA Mag.

Adorable truck photo via Evil Monito.

Thanks for Coming to the Party!

2009-11-03T22:26:00.001-08:00

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the party last week. Our goal was to raise both awareness and funds for our charity partner, Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA, and we definitely accomplished that.

A huge thank you to all the designers (Dennis Design Group, RC Design Federation, Jennifer Siegal, Sandra Sharma of BlankSpace, and Cisco Home), our amazing sponsors, volunteers, construction crews, and of course our trusty movers, Black Label, without whom nothing would actually have made it up the stairs into the lofts!

Thanks to Ben Lee and BlueSkyReality for performing and hanging out with us for the evening. Scroll down to see pics from the party or click here! It'll almost be like you were there!

If you couldn't make it to the party, fear not! The showcase is open until November 19th. Feel free to stop by on Saturdays and Sundays between 12noon and 5pm for public tour hours. Buy tickets here!

Ben Lee playing to a packed plein air theater at the Lofts

Blueskyreality being interviewed by German Public Radio

Steve Edwards, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, Greg Reitz

Calico Cooper with Dennis Design Group's Brook Casey and Lori Dennis

Dennis Design Group struts their stuff on the green carpet.

Rockface!

Sean Whitesell and Maria Quiban

(Check out that awesome green stepnrepeat by Woolly Pocket!)

Dennis Design Group takes a moment to rock out in the Alice Cooper Lair.

Rockin' out to Rock Band in the Habitat for Humanity GLA room in the 30STM penthouse

May from Green Girls Blog, Sandra Sharma, and Jennifer Siegal

Ben Lee with Habitat Ali

Tiffany Downey and Bruce Robb

Rogerio Carvalheiro with May Hsu

Sandra Sharma taking a quick rest in the 30STM penthouse

Jon and Jay from EcoUsable.

They made some awesome RnP bottle that were in the goodie bags.

Ben Lee, Cisco Home designer Daphne Brusso and Steve Edwards

Friends of Cherokee Studios

Gorgeous green art by Big Red Sun

Living Well with a Living Wall from Woolly Pocket

2009-10-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

A great way to go green when you're strapped for space is with a lush "living wall." Vertical gardens are popping up everywhere and we're particularly fascinated with these tiny pockets of oasis from Woolly Pocket. Based out of LA and Phoenix, Woolly Pocket is family owned and operated out of their eco-friendly offices and primarily distribute their urban gardens via their online site in an effort to minimize their carbon footprint. Their vertical gardens are an attractive way to show off plants, cover an unsightly wall, or create privacy in a courtyard. Easy to install and maintain, Woolly Pockets are handmade out of recycled plastic bottles that have been industrially felted.

For one night only, the folks at Woolly Pocket are helping us install the first-ever living, green step-and-repeat for the Rock-n-Platinum party. Can't make it to the event? You can also check them out at Opportunity Green on November 7th and 8th.

Whole Food Market - West Hollywood, Official RnP "Rock Star" Sponsor

2009-10-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce Whole Foods Market - West Hollywood as our official food & beverage sponsor at the "Rock Star" level for the upcoming Rock-n-Platinum Showcase. Whole Foods WeHo will be providing us with their signature collection of certified organic and natural products for the night of the private showcase celebration. They are also providing each of our guests with their special edition reusable grocery bag, a collaboration between Whole Foods and pop music icon and environmental activist, Sheryl Crow. This partnership between the Whole Foods brand of markets and the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios is a perfect example of like minded eco-organizations coming together to celebrate what it truly means to live & breathe GREEN!

Miss the Party? Join the Tour.

2009-10-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

We've reached capacity for the preview and party this Thursday, October 29th. But if you're missing the party, that doesn't mean you have to miss Rock-n-Platinum entirely. You still have a chance to see this one-of-a-kind design showcase through November. The showcase will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 5pm, October 31st through November 15th.

Click here to buy tickets. A $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA will give you full access to the building. Explore the Alice Cooper Lair. Experience the David Bowie Bachelor Pad. Revel in the 30 Seconds to Mars Penthouse. And imagine what it might be like to live in the stylish and sustainable Cisco Home model penthouse.

A Transcendent Bowie Bachelor Pad

2009-10-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

The music, just like the man, defies definition. Actor, songwriter, Thin White Duke and Ziggy Stardust, Bowie is never afraid to push the boundary which is why his art transcends all space, time, and costume. In that very same daring spirit, Rogerio Carvalheiro has created the consummate bachelor's pad for the man who just fell to earth; a space that will reflect Bowie's timeless style and otherwordly elegance. Whereas a man cave is a place to which men go to devolve, the sophistication of this top-story loft actually inspires evolution. All we can say without giving too much away is that there will be lots of trippy visuals, provocative artwork, and dare we say....a few feathers.

Special thanks to all the generous sponsors without whom this loft would not be possible.

www.artservicesmelrose.com

30 Seconds in the 30STM Space

2009-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Kings and Queens of great design can really appreciate this loft designed by Jennifer Siegal and Sandra Sharma from Office of Mobile Design & BLANKSPACE. Inspired by the sophomore album from 30 Seconds to Mars, “A Beautiful Lie,” the designers crafted a story around a fictional young couple – an artistic husband, a singer/songwriter wife, and a baby on the way – concerned about the environment and passionate about high quality modern furniture and art. The band and album were chosen because of their concern for the environment, focused on issues such as the melting polar ice caps, putting together the Environmentour, and living in elegant simplicity. Utilizing organic and repurposed found objects throughout, each room from the reading nook to the nursery is uniquely peaceful and functional, and hopefully provokes thought about everything from the mundane to the extraordinary.

Special thanks to the sponsors whose generous contributions are making the 30 Seconds to Mars space possible:

http://www.argington.com/

http://www.whatisblik.com/

http://www.clevelandart.com/

http://www.jessicastarkey.com/

http://www.johnrobshaw.com/

http://www.knibbdesign.com/

http://www.knoll.com/knoll_home.jsp

http://www.matin-gallery.com/

http://www.philipnimmoironworks.com/

http://www.projectimportexport.com/

Inside the Alice Cooper Lair

2009-10-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Just as Alice Cooper's grandly theatrical brand of heavy metal is inspired by different sources - part horror movie, part vaudeville, part garage rock - the tri-level loft designed in homage to the King of Shock rock by Dennis Design Group is equally eclectic and no less dramatic. While the designers did take a slightly more subtle and timeless approach (no boa constrictors in this rendition!), elements of goth rock still abound mixed with Dennis Design Group's trademark green design flair and a few authentic props fresh off the Alice Cooper tour. Predicated on an evocative palette and centered around a dramatic stone fireplace, this loft may not shock, but it is definitely designed to awe. You might even uncover a few surprising factoids about the man behind the impeccable eyeliner.

Special thanks to the sponsors whose generous contributions are making the Alice Cooper rock lair possible:

http://www.diamondfoamandfabric.com/

http://www.francoisandco.com/

http://www.heritageworkroom.com/

http://www.thepleasurechest.com/

http://www.usarags.com/profile.html

http://www.retropia.net/

Blueskyreality to Perform Songs from 'Cabin Sessions' at Rock-n-Platinum Showcase

2009-10-09T23:36:00.001-07:00

Blueskyreality have been touring the United States opening for alternative rock veterans, Third Eye Blind for the better part of the Summer to promote their upcoming EP 'Cabin Sessions' which drops this Tuesday, October 13th (available on iTunes). Likened to bands like Maroon 5 and Incubus, the five piece have already proven their level of musicianship through self-recording and production for the release of their first EP; with these credits under their collective belt they are full of promise and poised to become mainstays on the alternative rock music scene.

Hailing from Santa Barbara, Blueskyreality have gone from a three-piece accompaniment to full-fledged indie rock band with the addition of two new members in 2008. They will be joining our eclectic roster of musical acts for the live music portion of the Rock-n-Platinum showcase, performing an stripped down set, featuring songs from the brand new EP. We would like to thank all of the talented musicians who are helping us raise awareness for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles through this unique blend of design and sound!

Aussie Rocker Ben Lee to Perform at the Rock-n-Platinum Showcase

2009-10-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

Ben Lee is no stranger to sound and stage, he's been a singer/songwriter/performer since the ripe old age of 13. He originally formed the Australian pop/punk group Noise Addict back in 1992 and it was a year later that they caught the attention of Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and was signed to his record label, Ecstatic Peace only to be picked up a few years later by Mike D of the Beastie boys and signed to Grand Royal Records. Since then Ben's signature songwriting style has been heard in over 30 commercials, television shows and feature films, most recently in the trailer for the popular movie "He's Just Not That Into You," starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Anniston, Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson.

Over the course of his career, Ben has afforded his time, money and talent to a number of charity organizations, most recently donating a portion of the profits from the sale of his February 2009 album release 'The Rebirth of Venus,' an album that celebrates Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty. A portion of the proceeds raised benefited FINCA's Village Banking Program, a charity organization that offers financial services to the world's lowest-income female entrepreneurs.

Ben will be performing an acoustic set during the music portion of the Rock-n-Platinum showcase on Thursday, October 29, a charity event benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. This one-of-a-kind interior design showcase will take place at the new Lofts @ Cherokee Studios in West Hollywood, the former site of the iconic Cherokee Recording Studios. This unique blend of music and the very best of green design + architecture will all converge under one roof for one night only.

For more information on Ben, visit www.ben-lee.com or more from his record label, New West Records.

Sponsor Spotlight: "Dear Tesla, Yes Please."

2009-10-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

Tesla Motors proves that efficient, electric motor vehicles can indeed hit the road with the same speed and verve as their fossil-fuel guzzling counterparts. Seeing as the Roadster is twice as energy-efficient as a Toyota Prius, and just a bit sexier, we're thrilled to announce that a few lucky VIPs may be selected to take an electrifying ride in one of these babies at the party. (Note: test-RIDE, not -DRIVE. That's right, we don't think you can handle it!)

A Tesla representative will be on-site, selecting qualified VIPs for the test ride. Then you'll have a few private moments to get up and close personal with the Roadster. Please try not to drool.

If you don't know the details, read a bit about the Roadster below.

The highly acclaimed Roadster -- faster than a Porsche and twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius – is the only highway-capable electric vehicle for sale in North America or Europe. It’s the first production EV to travel more than 200 miles per charge and the first US- and EU-certified Lithium-Ion battery electric vehicle. With an estimated range of 244 miles per charge and zero tailpipe emissions, it offers supercar performance with a clean conscience.

The Roadster 2, which Tesla is building and shipping to customers now, features an array of enhancements. Those include a more powerful heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, more comfortable seats and a more luxurious dashboard and cabin.

Last month Tesla began delivering the Roadster Sport, an even higher performance car that does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared to 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. The Sport includes a more powerful motor, custom-tuned suspension and forged wheels. A customer’s Roadster Sport sprinted the quarter-mile in 12.643 seconds in late July, setting a class record in the National Electric Drag Racing Association.

Sponsor Spotlight: Los Angeles magazine & Los Angeles Circles

2009-10-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to announce that Los Angeles magazine is on-board as Rock-n-Platinum's exclusive media sponsor. We're also stoked to welcome Los Angeles Circles, the magazine's new exclusive membership program, to our list of generous sponsors.

Since Los Angeles magazine is inarguably THE go-to guide for where to eat, where to shop, and what to do in LA, the good people behind the magazine are usually the first to know about good stuff. But rather than keep that to themselves, they're sharing with their loyal readers.

Sign up for Circles for $48/year and get first dibs on an endless stream of goodies and be the first to know about the best events in town. Card-carrying members are constantly privy to discounts and special offers, ranging from theater and movie tickets, and travel getaways, to gift cards for the city's best restaurants, as well as pre-public fashion, beauty, and furniture sample sales. Travel in these Circles, and you'll be livin' large, saving money, and having too much fun.

Speaking of saving money, Circles is offering 1 free general admission Rock-n-Platinum ticket to the first 20 members to respond. Each of those lucky 20 will get to bring a guest at a special Circles discount. If you're not already a member, then hop to it before the tickets are all snapped up because you certainly don't want to miss this LA party!

Rock-n-Platinum - Tickets on Sale!

2009-10-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Houston. We have lift off.

Tickets for the Rock-n-Platinum Preview & Party are officially on sale now. Buy your tickets before Friday, October 16th and get 20% off with the earlybird special (just type in this discount code without quotation marks: "earlybird").

BE A ROCKSTAR! - VIP ticket - $75
Includes 3 drink tickets for 3 signature cocktails, 20 raffle tickets, access to VIP suite, valet parking, RnP T-shirt, and a chance take a test ride in the Tesla Roadster.

YOU STILL ROCK! - General admission - $50
Includes 2 drink tickets, 5 raffle tickets, self-parking.
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA.

Check out our snazzy invitation to find out more about the event, the designers, the lofts, the ticket levels, and pretty much anything that you could possibly want to know about the event.

Remember to keep your receipts as the cost of your ticket is a tax-deductible expense. Proceeds from the party (and the four week showcase that follows) benefit our favorite non-profit, Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA.

Another cool factoid, when you buy your ticket through InTicketing, please note that for every ticket sold, a tree is planted. So that means, DON'T PRINT YOUR TICKET. Just come to will call and we'll check you in.

See you all at the par-to-the-tay!

SAVE THE DATE!!! Rock-n-Platinum Preview & Party - Oct. 29, 2009

2009-10-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

It's official. The party is on.

Mark your calendars and join us on Thursday, October 29th from 7pm to 10pm for the Rock-n-Platinum Preview & Party.

Be among the first to see the new ultra-sustainable Lofts @ Cherokee Studios and stroll through the first-ever showcase to reinterpret music through design. Suites in homage to Alice Cooper, the Thin White Duke, and so much more await.

And oh yeah, there's the MUSIC! Since this entire showcase is a celebration of the chapter that came before (Cherokee Studios) and the chapter to come tomorrow (Lofts @ Cherokee Studios), we couldn't throw a party without lots, and lots, and lots of music! Be there for live performances by Aussie singer/songwriter Ben Lee and up-and-coming native LA band Blueskyreality, as well as a mash-up session with DJ Axel.

Ben Lee

Blueskyreality

DJ Axel

When you need a break from the music, go up top and take in the panoramic views from the rooftop garden designed by Form LA.

And some VIPs will qualify to take a test-spin in the sleek, sexy, and totally sustainable Tesla Roadster.

Tesla Roadster

Tickets go on sale in the next few hours!

VIP tickets - $75

General admission - $50

Remember, proceeds go towards our favorite charity partner Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, an organization that understands green building and works to provide homes for families across the Southland.

This will be an epic party for a very good cause.

We hope you can join us.

If you can't be there on the 29th, stay tuned for more news about public tour hours for a self-guided chance to see the showcase.

Green Roof to Garner Platinum Points

2009-09-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios have been designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC, ensuring that the new structure (designed by Pugh + Scarpa) will be one of the most energy- and resource-efficient buildings of its kind on the West Coast. Some of those LEED points that will certainly make up the Lofts' winning USGBC report card will surely come from the building's gorgeous roof top garden designed by FormLA Landscaping.

The green roof will save energy and reduce the heat-island effect produced by the building. Rooftop greenery will absorb the unrelenting Los Angeles sunshine which means that residents and businesses in the building will need less air-conditioning to maintain pleasant indoor temperatures. The green roof will also produce a community benefit in mitigating the reflection and amplification of heat production by the building.

Irrigation and storm water runoff mitigation were also concerns when designing the roof. Storm water will be captured on the roof and routed through a drainage and filtration system beneath a landscaped parkway. There it will be cleaned, filtered, and directed back into the ground water table to reduce pollution and run-off.

The roof will be planted with native plants that require minimal irrigation. These natural grasses will softly frame 365 degree views of the urban landscape that is Los Angeles. With views from Malibu to downtown, from the Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign all the way out to the Pacific Ocean beyond, this rooftop deck and lounge is the perfect place to chill out after a long day of work in the studio.

As Form LA's Cassy Aoyagi explains, "This rooftop will be beautiful place to entertain with incredible views of the city and abundant greenery."

Check back for photographs, or better yet, join us for the Rock-n-Platinum Preview & Party or Public Tours, coming up in October. We'll be posting ticket information very, very soon.

Music History 101 with Cherokee Studios

2009-09-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

The BeeGees recording at Cherokee Studios (from the Sgt. Pepper Scrapbook blog)

To really understand what the Rock-n-Platinum showcase at the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios is paying homage to, it's important to know what Cherokee Studios was all about. Before they closed their doors in 2007, Cherokee Studios was truly one of the most well-known and sought-after recording studios in the city. Luckily, for the non music history trivia buffs among us, Cherokee Studios is about to launch a comprehensive Scrap Book, that outlines all the amusing, interesting, and cool music moments that took place at 751 N. Cherokee back in the day. The scrap book will focus primarily on the hey day of the studio while it was managed by the Robb Brothers, from the 70s through till present. Check back later this month when the Scrap Book launches officially.

For now, here are a few quick and interesting factoids:

Close Encounters with the Fifth Beatle

Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees and the many other stars of the movie worked long hours with George Martin (aka the Fifth Beatle) in Los Angeles at Cherokee Studios and in New York at

The Record Plant. Out of these sessions of long hours spent recording and mixing came the finished soundtrack for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was released in July

1978.

More Beatle-tidbits

During the summer of 1979, several other Beatles spent s

ome time at Cherokee Studios. John and Yoko visited Ringo while he was recording "A Dose of Rock n Roll" and "Cookin'." Paul and Linda McCartney stopped by to record "Pure Gold" for Ringo's album. George also wrote a tune called "I'll Still Love You" for Starr's album.

Michael Jackson, from the J5 to Thriller

Cherokee Studios kind of was a part of the Michael Jackson story at different times. The Jackson 5's former manager Shelley Berger actually met the guys for the first time at Cherokee Studios, as quoted by a recent Rolling Stone article.

"I'll never forget when Berry called me up and said we just signed this new act, the Jackson 5, five brothers," recalls their former manager, Shelley Berger. "He said, 'I want you to manage them, so come down to the studio and meet them.' It was 10 or 11 o'clock at night. I went to Cherokee recording studio, on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles, and I was introduced to these five young men. It was the first time I saw Michael Jackson and I thought, 'Oh my lord.' My favorite entertainer at the time was Sammy Davis Jr., and I thought, 'This is the new Sammy Davis.' " (from David Browne's tribute story on 6/25/09)

Later on, Michael Jackson recorded parts of The Thriller and Off the Wall albums at Cherokee Studios.

From "The Man Who Fell to Earth"

The Many Faces of Bowie

According to one of the Brother Robb, Cherokee Studios connection with Bowie is one of the most interesting. The Thin White Duke himself just showed up one day, strolled into Studio One, struck a chord on the piano, and said "Cherokee, this will do nicely." Bowie went on to record several sessions for the Man Who Fell to Earth soundtrack.

David Bowie at Cherokee Studios (from CrackedActor)

Construction Update: Closer to Completion

2009-09-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

It's stucco-time at the site, a messy but great indication that the Lofts at Cherokee Studios are one step closer to completion. Frankly, we'd rather not show you a photo of that, so let's talk about the next big milestone....paint!

Since the project is designed to attain LEED Platinum certification, REthink Development has selected AFM Safecoat zero-VOC paint, a company that was not too-long-ago rated the "safest eco paint" by future forward green design blog Inhabitat, to cover all the wall surfaces. AFM Safecoat has also generously agreed to be the paint sponsor for the Rock-n-Platinum Showcase, so our rock star cast of designers is busy this week selecting their hues. Next week, the painting begins.

Check back for the latest construction updates and more information about the Rock-n-Platinum Preview and Party. Tickets go on sale soon! And all we can say is that it's going to be epic.

Industry Interview: Phil Jaurigui, Owner & Founder of Swing House Studios

2009-09-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Stage 1 rehearsal/showcase room at Swing House

Ask anyone who has attempted a full-time music career it's not always as glamorous as it would seem. There are incredible highs and unimaginable lows, nevertheless, no matter how long your journey may last one thing is undeniable - The Biz is damn exciting. For Phil Jaurigui, Owner & President of Swing House Rehearsal and Recording Inc., maintaining a successful studio space is no easy task, but for the last 15 years Phil has managed to maintain and make a name for himself via Swing House. We had a chance to catch up with Phil to reminisce about the former Cherokee Studios, wrap about the new Lofts @ Cherokee and also touch on the importance of updating your business model, again and again...

The Biz

I first started Swing House 15 years ago after losing my job at Capital Records. Soon thereafter, I started working for a guy named Dean Chamberlain at Domion Sound on Lilian Way in Hollywood. It was at Domion I learned how to record and run a PA system. Following the Northridge earthquake Dean decided to break his lease, sell his equipment and go out of business. With two credit cards and no business experience whatsoever, I bought Dean's gear, which included Neil Diamond's old PA system and Swing House Studios was born.

Ali, the Swing House Mascot mixing on the API console.

When I first conceived of the studio I was also in a band, and thought it would be a perfect way for us to record and rehearse for free while also making a little bit of money on the side by renting it out other musicians. Little did I know how much the business would take over my life; the studio was flourising much more than my band and I quickly realized that I was better off being behind the scenes, still making the music just in a different capacity as a full-time studio owner. I dropped the band to focus on the business and have been just as involved in the music ever since. I went from one-room rehearsal space with a recording studio in the loft to eventually expanding to 3 rehearsal rooms, and offering equipment rentals.

Then one day the Red Hot Chili Peppers came into our lives and proceeded to take over the main studio for a year. Now although this was a good problem to have, it left me having to turn away all the other clients which left me completely torn because we're talking about big name bands like Jane's Addiction, Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, and Green Day who all wanted to rent this popular room that the Chili Peppers were using. It was then in 2001 that we picked up our small little one room studio on Cahuenga Boulevard a “sketchy & scary place" at the time with drug addicts and homeless people running rampant - very different from the hip, cool street that it is now - and moved into what once was Tim Burton's movie studio, and our current location on Willoughby & Formosa.

Remembering Cherokee Studios

It was early in my career when I was introduced to Cherokee Studios. I had always heard rumors about Cherokee and the Robb Brothers, its classic studio vibe, and who used to record there. It seemed as though they saw every major band from the 1970s come through their doors, everyone from Linda Ronstadt, and Journey to The Eagles and The Beatles. A specific memory I had was from back in 1995 when I was asked to deliver some amps and other sound equipment over to Liz Phair who was recording there at the time. As a young studio owner, I was always really excited about meeting other studio owners and I had heard a lot of good things about the Robbs, so visiting this studio to see how they operated, check out how they did things was a cool opportunity for me. Cherokee was everything I imagined it would be. Dark wood paneling, oriental rugs in every room, incense burning and an undeniable rock-n-roll vibe. I'm a huge advocate of preserving the integrity of landmarks, especially those that have made an impact on music, so I think its very cool how the Robbs have chosen to preserve Cherokee's legacy by partnering with a modern company like REthink and putting the space to re-use. I'd love to have an office at the new Lofts @ Cherokee Studios myself!

LA's Musical Spin Cycle

Back in the day we had iconic music venues like Scream at Park Plaza where bands like Jane's Addiction, Iggy Pop, Faster Pussycat, Guns n Roses and all the most popular bands from the early 90s were playing on a regular basis. Then there was The Coconut Teazer over on Sunset and Cresent Heights, a place I practically lived at for most of my early years in Los Angeles. Aside from the great live acts at CT's, what was equally memorable were the free beers and hot dogs they served. As a small business owner trying to stay afloat, you made sure to know where the free buffets and happy hours were in this city. As much as I miss places like the Starwood and Scream, I also know that everything runs in cycles, especially in the entertainment industry. Studio 54 was only in existence for a couple of years but that doesn't diminish its importance as a music landmark. Nowadays, I think venues like The Roxy, The Viper Room and The Echo are doing a great job of resurrecting the music scene and breathing new life into an industry that is rapidly shrinking. One of the best things about L.A. is that there will always be a place to be "discovered".

Swing House act, The Tender Box will be playing this weekend at the Sunset Strip Music Festival at the Key Club on Saturday, September 12 @ 2pm.

That'll Leave a Mark

Nowadays, my life as a studio owner consists of wearing several different hats, everything from producing music showcases, artist development, tour management, and of course, renting rehearsal space to some of the greatest bands (new and old) that have ever crept on the scene, like Secondhand Seranade, The Slits, Elbow, Mike Snow, Otep, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maroon 5, Green Day, Mars Volta and She Wants Revenge. In addition to managing the day-to-day business of a rehearsal and recording studio, I manage two bands called Astra Heights and The Tender Box who's new EP came out earlier this Summer. We also do comprehensive outdoor event production for annual music festivals such as the Sunset Strip Music Festival happening this weekend on the World Famous, Sunset Strip. I recently co-produced a Love & Rockets tribute album called 'New Tales to Tell' that was released early this Summer featuring artists like Frank Black of the Pixies, Flaming Lips, and the Dandy Warhols.

I don't know if I will still be running a rehearsal space in another 15 years, so much like the Robbs, I intend on parlaying my business know-how and the Swing House name into a full-time career in artist management, and producing large scale event production in L.A. as well as on the road. There might not always be a need for a large rehearsal space, and Swing House "the building" might not always be here, but the legacy that we have created will carry on.

Designer Spotlight: Cisco Home to Design Model Unit

2009-09-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce that Cisco Home, one of our showcase sponsors and a well-known force in the sustainable furniture and upholstery industry, is joining our cast of rock-star design teams. Francisco (aka "Cisco") Pinedo and his team will bring to life one of the penthouse units as a modern living space, replete with music recording space outfitted by Cherokee Studios.

Embracing the beauty of construction through the use of natural, pure materials, Cisco Home has been creating elegant furniture that is environmentally friendly and built to last since 1990. Based in Los Angeles, Pinedo has been named one of L.A.'s top five designers by Tu Ciudad and has been profiled extensively by national publications - New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He has also received numerous civic awards and accolades for his commitment to improving the environment and the community while still maintaining a high level of aesthetics.

The stylish, sustainable, hi fi model loft will open for viewing by the end of the month, but here's a taste of their design mojo in the meantime! Check back for information on how to schedule an appointment to view the model unit and be one of the first to take a tour of the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios.

Lofts @ Cherokee Studios Featured on Luxist

2009-08-13T17:47:00.000-07:00

Luxist featured the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios recently. Here's a little excerpt...

For those who find their muse in their surroundings: The hallowed ground of the old Cherokee recording studios in Hollywood is being converted into 12 work-live lofts, including some equipped as music studios to keep the tradition alive. The Lofts at Cherokee Studios project by Los Angeles-based sustainable developer, REthink Development, is about six weeks away from completion, with a model expected to open in mid-September.

Two penthouses have dedicated music production space; powder rooms can be outfitted as recording booths and acoustical insulation and sound attenuation measures were built behind and in the walls. Four other units can be similarly outfitted. So if Motley Crue moves in next door, no need to worry about the late-night jam sessions.

Click here for the full story.

The Platinum Showcase Partners with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

2009-08-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Ricky Martin signing a hardhat after a recent HFHFH event.

We are thrilled to announce that we'll be partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFHGLA) for the Platinum Showcase. HFHGLA builds and rehabilitates hundreds of homes each year for those who need them most, incorporating green building principles into everything that they do. We could think of no better partner for the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios and definitely wanted to find a way to support HFHGLA in the amazing work that they do; mobilizing, building, and educating.

Mark your calendars for a special rock-n-roll benefit party on October 15th. More details on how to buy tickets are coming soon.

We spoke to Ali Winkler, VP of Music and Talent Partnerships, to find out more about the connection between rock-n-roll and the good work of HFHGLA.

Who is Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity and what exactly do you guys do?

Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity (HFHFH) is an entertainment industry partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFHGLA) that launched in 2000 with a 20 house "blitz build." HFHFH was founded by Screenwriter/Director Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers) to encourage the entertainment industry to support Habitat for Humanity's goal of eliminating substandard housing worldwide.

HFHFH works with talent and industry leaders who support the organization through donations, volunteer hours and advocacy. Thousands of volunteers from the entertainment industry have helped build homes in the United States and around the world.

Celebrity supporters and volunteers include: 30 Seconds To Mars, Alejandro Sanz, Christian Bale, Jacinda Barrett, Jon Bon Jovi, Julie Bowen, Garth Brooks, the casts of “90210” “Big Love,” “Boston Legal,” “Entourage” “My Boys,” and “Prison Break,” Harry Connick Jr., Green Day, Paige Hemmis, Dustin Hoffman, Kyle Howard, Enrique Iglesias, Hugh Jackman, Quincy Jones, Linkin Park, Gabriel Macht, Ricky Martin, John Mayer, Chris Pine, Brad Pitt, Sidney Poitier, Susan Sarandon, William Shatner, Maria Shriver, Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Switchfoot, Third Day, Glynn Turman, Carrie Underwood, Robin Williams, Chandra Wilson, Wisin y Yandel, Trisha Yearwood and more. All major agencies and studios have been involved with HFHFH over the years, as well as many production companies and record labels, and we continue to expand our reach into the industry on a daily basis, interacting and developing partnerships with musicians, agents, managers, producers, directors and talent.

How did the connection between Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity and the music industry come about?

In 2006, Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity was looking to expand its programs further into the entertainment industry. I was hired, along with Alison Treleaven, previously of Harpo Films, to jointly oversee entertainment industry programs, with my focus being on growing music and talent partnerships. My experience and relationships developed while I was a music agent at CAA and a concert promoter prior to that have been tremendously helpful in my work at Habitat, and I have been privileged to continue to work with many of my former clients, colleagues and managers. Additionally, new relationships have developed during my tenure at Habitat in the past three years, enabling us to grow our programs substantially. We customize each program to suit the artist’s individual philanthropic goals and have been praised for our ability to deliver artist friendly programs with tangible results. We recognize that people’s time is valuable, whether they are an agent, manager, artist, label executive, producer, writer or other creative type, and we try to make the best use of each person’s time as we work together to further Habitat’s mission of providing safe and decent housing for all.

Over the past three years, we have been fortunate enough to develop long standing partnerships and ongoing programs with a diverse group of talented musical artists such as Jon Bon Jovi (who has been the catalyst for over 60 homes being funded and built in the US in less than four years); Ricky Martin (who provided funding for over 228 homes built in conjunction with HFH and continues to advocate on our behalf, lending his name and image to advocacy campaigns, speaking at the Jimmy Carter Work Project Los Angeles and donating tickets to his concerts to Habitat families); Linkin Park (through their disaster relief organization, Music for Relief, the band has funded and built multiple homes in the gulf coast and will have several upcoming programs with HFHFH this year); Green Day (who have built with HFH in multiple US cites, blogged about their experiences, donated to our online auctions and continue to support our mission in many ways); 30 Seconds to Mars (who raised over $10,000 in less than a week by running a “Win a Chance to Build with the Band” contest and whose fans then on their own raised an additional $50,000 as a result of the band’s advocacy for our cause, and who continue to support Habitat in many ways) Switchfoot and Third Day (who created the Music Builds Tour where funds from every ticket sold were donated to HFH, band members advocated for HFH from the stage, funds from merchandise were donated to HFH and bands built in multiple cities.). There are too many more who have contributed to list here, but each of these artists has contributed to Habitat in a unique way, helped us put more families into more houses and helped us further our mission. We are very grateful to all of those who support us by building, advocating and donating.

What's HFHFH cooking up for this year?

Ongoing supporters Linkin Park and Music for Relief will be running several programs with us again this year, one of which is an exciting and innovative online campaign to raise funds to build a “green house” in Los Angeles. Linkin Park fans and Habitat supporters will have the opportunity to donate online to the house, as well as to win a chance to build the house with the band at a later date. This follows a successful campaign we did last year with Music for Relief and Linkin Park during the Projekt Revolution tour. Additional programs with Music for Relief and Linkin Park will be announced later in the year, all containing a “green” component, as this is very important to both the band and to Habitat.

Many of the families served by HFH GLA and HFHFH are from the Latin community and we are fortunate to have the ongoing support of top Latin artists such as Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Enrique Iglesias and now Wisin y Yandel.

Wisin y Yandel are new Habitat supporters, and are currently #1 on the Billboard Latin Charts, having won every award possible and shattering all sales records with their new album “La Revolucion..” Their arena tour this fall, promoted by AEG Live, will include a multi-tiered advocacy program run by HFHFH, which will incorporate Habitat’s message into the entire tour. Funds from every ticket sold will be donated to local Habitat affiliates in tour cities, VIP experiences and packages have been created to be auctioned off with all funds raised going to local Habitat affiliates, the band has created a series of PSA’s to run onsite and online and footage of the band building will be incorporated into the band’s next music video. This is the first time a Latin artist has done a program like this in the US and we are very excited to partner with Wisin y Yandel.

We have recently run a series of successful online auctions, and will be holding another one this fall. Can’t give too much away before we announce in a couple of weeks, but to give you an idea of who we work with, our most recent auction (March, 2009) was a “Celebrity Hardhat Auction,” and included over 90 autographed hardhats from artists such as U2, Jonas Brothers, Zac Efron, Kate Beckinsale, Chris Pine, Miley Cyrus, Stevie Wonder. Keith Urban and more! Our latest “VIP Experience and Memorabilia Auction” (October, 2008) included set visits with Hugh Jackman, the casts of “Entourage,” and “My Boys,” premiere tickets and party passes to “Milk” and “The Spirit,” front seats plus meet and greets with Carrie Underwood and 30 Seconds to Mars plus autographed memorabilia from Jon Bon Jovi, Sidney Poitier, Linkin Park, Dave Matthews, Ryan Braun, Christian Bale, the casts of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Prison Break,” “Breaking Bad,” and over 50 other items and experiences.

Look for our auction at www.charitybuzz.com later in the month and check www.hollywoodforhabitat.com for exact launch date of the auction.

How do HFHGLA and HFHFH build sustainability into their projects?

We define “Green Building” as providing housing for people with methods, products and processes that lessen the detrimental impacts on the health of human and ecological environment, while not placing a financial burden on the homeowner. Habitat for Humanity is at the forefront of developing affordable housing that is also sustainable.

Our Green Building practices include:

• Energy-efficient design, lighting, heating and cooling systems, and Energy Star® appliances

• Active solar technology

• Recyclable building materials, recycled carpets, environmentally friendly green siding, thermal pane windows and doors

• Low emission finishes – paints and varnish with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

• Water-efficient toilets and showerheads

• Water filtration systems to minimize pollution from storm runoff

• Native drought-tolerant landscaping

• Recycled blown-in insulation and Dow foam insulation

We bring pragmatic aspects of affordable housing and Green Building to create tangible benefits like cost-savings and upkeep for families. Our Home Improvement Store and Housing Center for Excellence are excellent examples of our Green Building. The Home Improvement Store diverts millions of pounds away from area landfills and works with deconstruction companies and our Housing Center for Excellence is the hub of construction for HFHGLA and a regional center for innovation and education to develop, support, and advance best practices in new construction technologies and sustainable building.

HFHFH and HFHGLA continue to look for creative and groundbreaking ways to work with the entertainment industry and we welcome any and all ideas for new programs and partnerships.

Please feel free to contact me at awinkler@habitatla.org for additional information and to find a way to get involved. It is an honor to be a part of the Habitat family and I hope that you will join us as we build hope, lives and communities.

Industry Interview: Bruce Robb, Founder of Cherokee Studios

2009-08-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Pictured above: Bruce Robb behind one of Cherokee Studio's famous Trident A Range consoles

We sat down with Bruce Robb, Founder and longtime owner of the former Cherokee Recording Studios, the site where the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios will now reside. This piece of Rock-n-Roll history right smack in the middle of Hollywood was one of the grooviest places to be if you were a rock star back throughout the last three decades. It went on to continue a long legacy of remarkable recording, opening its doors to everyone from Chaka Khan to David Bowie, Ice Cube to Christina Aguilera. Bruce Robb gives us his personal take on the legacy that Cherokee Studios left us, and exciting future of things to come.

BR on founding of Cherokee Studios:

We (me and my brothers Dee and Joe) believed that our approach to a recording studio was unique and different enough that there was an opportunity in the industry for us. At the time we started Cherokee, the emphasis was so much on the technical recording process and not enough on the art and the music. Studios were being run from a corporate mentality… “sign in, sign out” and then here’s all the rules. Artists don’t tend to respond well to all that confinement.

What people used to say about Cherokee was that we had this incredible “vibe” and that it was creatively inspiring. But what they didn’t notice was that yes we had the relaxed vibe, but we also had one of the largest technical staffs of any studio. We had 7 full time techs working back in the day, but they were not in your face. We intentionally kept it that way so that the focus was on the music. In spite of how we may have looked with our colored lights, incense and laid back setting, we had the best techs and designers working on new gear and tweaking out everything we had around the clock.

Bruce Robb playing Hammond B3 as member of 'The Robbs' in the mid-60s

We weren’t studio owners from a managerial sense – we were artists who became producers and engineers years before we even built the first Cherokee ranch. We actually got in to the technical side in order to defend our own music. There was a time when “rock-n-roll” was not welcome in recording studios and the engineers would intentionally sabotage the recordings. We were forced to learn how everything worked. So, by the time we had Cherokee Studios, we were in the rooms all the time. We knew what was working and what wasn’t firsthand. We were our own biggest customers. When we took over what became “Cherokee,” it was a Westlake designed studio. The rooms were beautifully constructed, but acoustically dead. We called our old friend and acoustic genius – George Augspurger – who we had known since our days at the ranch. Working with George, we acoustically redesigned the studios and control rooms. That is when it became “Cherokee Studios.”

BR on Cherokee’s run:

We thought we could be successful, but we did not expect it to do what it did. We never imagined the studio taking on this legendary status. We already had a small clientele from our ranch – artists like Rick Nelson and Steely Dan. So, we hoped to continue to grow that. We had no idea that we would inherit the previous studio (MGM) clients like Frank Sinatra. And, Bowie literally just showed up one day in a limo, walked in to Studio One, played a chord on the piano and said, “Cherokee… this will do nicely.” Rod Stewart was much the same way. I guess he heard about us over at Record Plant and decided to come see it in person. My brother Dee and Rod hit it off and Dee engineered several records for him. Rod ended up doing something like a dozen gold and platinum records with us.

Cherokee Studios conference room

BR on selected Cherokee stories:

There were a couple of decades when owning the studio was like owning the best nightclub in the world. You could go there literally any hour of the day – any hour – and something exciting and creative was going on. If you couldn’t sleep at night, you could just head to Cherokee and find KISS in one room, the Cars in another and Duran Duran in another. We didn’t have the closed doors, private lounge policy. One group would need a guitar lick and would just go grab a famous player from another band to come in and play. It was so creatively open at that time. (I really miss that.) Some really great relationships were forged at Cherokee because of the shared lounge and open atmosphere. For example, this is where David Bowie met Frank Sinatra. And I remember one day coming in to the lounge to find Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme sitting at one of our big restaurant booths with Motley Crue. Steve was teaching them the proper technique to light a cigar.

Long time Cherokee Studios client, Joan Jett of The Runaways pictured above with Bruce Robb

BR on what he has been doing since Cherokee’s closure:

Before Cherokee officially closed, I had already been preparing for the transition. We had a great run. I had the best experience of my life – maybe of many lifetimes... But I was also ready to migrate away from running a large commercial recording facility. Things have changed so much in the last two decades. Ironically, the way we landed at MGM was because we had been locked out of our little ranch studio by the Sheriff’s department in Chatsworth on the grounds that we were “running an illegal home studio.” And, now thirty years later, things had come full circle and I was ready to fold back down to a great one room private facility, much like I had at the ranch.

Cherokee Studios will continue in to the future, but now it will be more of a hub for my other creative endeavors. I have several offshoot companies that I formed with my partner Tiffany Downey in the last few years. We have a production company (Bruce Robb Productions), a boutique indie record label with publishing entity (Quarter 2 Three Records & Quarter 2 Three Publishing), a studio design firm with George Augspurger (A&R Studio Design + Construction), and I’m about to announce a new audio equipment company that I’m very excited about that will offer a line of high-end class A analog recording products that are being built by hand here in the U.S. And, we are hoping to announce the location of that great one room studio by Cherokee very soon.

In addition to my own projects, I continue to stay busy producing, engineering, recording and even playing. Yes, I still play B3 as much as I can. It is always just about the music with me.

BR on the preservation of the history of the Cherokee landmark:

I find it very sad when culture landmarks disappear like The Derby, Chasen’s, The Tropicana (the infamous rock hotel on Santa Monica Blvd. where every famous musician lived when they came to L.A.) and The Weiner Factory – now that one may not qualify as a landmark, but I can tell you that my friend Steve Cropper cried when I told him it was gone. The prospect of Cherokee becoming a fruit basket store or one of the many different scenarios that were being proposed was a little depressing. I couldn’t be happier with the choice to take the property in a direction that pays homage to the historic relevance of the site. This truly is a Hollywood landmark. In addition to the musical heritage from Cherokee, MGM and Don Costa Studios (Frank Sinatra’s producer), this building began as one of the earliest studio’s soundstages – Republic Pictures in the 1920’s. Now instead of becoming a gourmet grocery store with a little plaque on the wall, it will hopefully spawn another generation and more of art and music as the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios. If you are one of the lucky ones who end up living here, how can you not be inspired by the association with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Michael Jackson… are you kidding?

BR on how the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios project was conceived:

Our facility was a difficult building to sell as a studio – we were too big for most artists looking for their own room and the commercial studio business had been in a contraction for a decade by the time we went on the market. One day my girlfriend Tiffany drove me over to a couple of sites where live/work lofts were being developed and the idea was born there. We didn’t know anything about zoning, setbacks and all that stuff, but we just started pacing things off and penciling sketches based on our lot size and figured we could fit about 12 units (ironically, that ended up being the real number). We presented the idea to my brothers and the concept of live/work lofts designed for musicians got everyone really excited. At that point we told our broker to bring us developers only. Our second developer meeting was with REthink – the rest is history. Steve and Greg came in with the green approach, which took the project to a whole new level.

BR on his involvement with the lofts:

Once REthink came in to the picture, it really became their development. We have remained involved with our brand and the aspects that relate to any of the use of the space for music related purposes. Through our company A&R Studio Design + Construction, George Augspurger and I have consulted on construction techniques for increased isolation and acoustic treatments for the units being prepped as potential music production spaces. The future buyers will be offered the opportunity to work with George and I to complete these spaces that have been given preliminary treatment in order to reach the appropriate level for their needs and acoustic tastes. For these musical buyers, George and I will take the room to final tuning and even assist with selection of equipment if desired.

Industry Interview: Nic Adler of The Roxy Theatre

2009-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Hollywood serves as the world's musical and cultural touchstone when it comes to who's "hot" on the scene. The biggest names in entertainment, everyone from Bob Marley to T-Rex, have made their way through LA at one point or another, and chances are they have paid a visit to or played a set at The Roxy Theatre. This iconic live performance venue in the heart of Hollywood has seen its fair share of shenanigans in the 35 years it's been around, and continues to reinvent itself for each new generation of music lovers.

State your name and occupation for the beautiful people of Los Angeles please (here is your chance to shout out your biz, so do it. Do it.)

Nic Adler, Owner of The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood. More importantly, I’m a LA native, I love this city, and I’ve been fortunate enough to take over the family business. I’m a member of the Sunset Strip Business Association (SSBA), and also heavily involved with the Sunset Strip Music Festival which is in its second year now, and scheduled for September 10-12, 2009.

If you could resurrect any musical LA landmark(s) what you would it be? (i.e. Coconut Grove, Madame Wongs, Hong Kong Café, Aron’s Records)?

More than any landmark I’d like to see the (Sunset) Strip as a whole achieve the same relevance and importance it had back in the day, that is really the goal of the SSBA and events like the Sunset Strip Music Festival. Neighborhood events like these remind people that LA is the music capital of the world, promotes the legacy of the strip and the importance of the past.

In the 70s, bands like Bob Marley, and The Clash weren’t playing venues like the Staples Center they were playing either huge stadiums or smaller clubs like the Roxy, the Whisky a Go Go, the Troubadour, and maybe the Palace. Back then, clubs didn’t look at neighboring venues as “competition” instead they were thriving by working together. My goal today is for the Strip to be reinstated as the breeding ground for legends just like it was back then. It would be a coup for us who are a part of the Strip, and I think that we are starting to see that actually happen.

The Palladium has recently gone under the knife. The Tower Records on Sunset has closed their doors for good (1971-2009). In New York, CBGB’s lost its battle with the city. Both Kurt Cobain and Neil Young have been quoted as saying, ‘It’s better to burn out than fade away.’ Thoughts..?

I was turning on to Sunset from Doheny one morning when I saw a guy standing on the street corner holding a sign that read ‘TOWER RECORDS CLOSING *SALE* 40% OFF.’ Losing that landmark (Tower Records), we lost a "leg on the table," so to speak. I thought to myself, ‘How many other landmarks are going to disappear if we don’t do something about it?’ That was a huge wake up call for me, and that was when I got heavily involved with the Sunset Strip Business Association three years ago.

In recent years, home grown music communities have been sprouting up in neighborhoods like Silverlake, for example, and it has also helped that radio stations have gotten more involved. We are also starting to see music venues work together like they did back in the day, still highly competitive but in a good way. Our current relationships with neighborhood venues like the Viper room and the Key Club, are making the Strip so much stronger because we are all striving for the same thing. We are resurrecting a 3-4 block radius and with that re-introducing people to one of the most famous locations in the world, the Sunset Strip. I want multiple music communities in LA, because I think LA can handle it. We have to keep moving forward. When you start to lose that sense of community, you die a slow death.

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios are hoping to keep the legacy alive for a whole new generation of music lovers. Where do you see your business 5/10/20 years down the road?

Cherokee Studios was an important part of LA's musical legacy, so I think that what the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios is trying to accomplish is important. It’s hard to care about something when it’s not relevant to today's audience and that is exactly why you have to come up with new ways to reinvent yourself. For us at the Roxy, our online presence is not only important but imperative and we view it as the future of things to come.

The Roxy has been around for 35 years which means generations of music goers have had an “experience” at our club. These days, parents come in with their children to see a new band and tell us about the wild times they had here back in the day. There is nothing better than feeling like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Hearing these type of stories really inspires me and reminds me to never take for granted the legacy we have created here.

With the dawn of social networks like Facebook and Twitter, we have been given a great opportunity to interact directly with our patrons every single day through one-on-one viral conversation. The reason we feel it so important for our venue to have such a solid presence online is so that we continue to stay relevant by fulfilling the specific requests of our current patrons. Because of our online efforts, we are currently ranked the number one music venue on Twitter and this sort of thing is what is going to keep us around for another 35 years.

For complete concert + event listings and more information about The Roxy Theatre, check out their website!

Lofts @ Cherokee Studios Featured on Multifamily Housing News

2009-07-14T16:35:00.001-07:00

Multifamily Housing News features the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios today. In an interview with Erika Schnitzer, Steve Edwards plugs the project, its green features, and mentions the Platinum Showcase to come!

(Full article at Multifamily Housing News)

To celebrate the project’s completion, REthink Development will be hosting a rock-n-roll design showcase. Four designers will be tasked to create four lofts that pay homage to handpicked artists who once recorded at Cherokee Studios. “It’s the marriage of high, cool design with this historic rock star ethos,” notes Edwards.

Look for more big news about the showcase in the weeks to come!

Designer Spotlight: Siegal & Sharma Designing 30 Seconds to Mars

2009-07-06T11:45:00.004-07:00

The brains behind the Office of Mobile Design & BLANKSPACE join forces to put their pre-FABulous touches on what is sure to be an interplanetary sensation; a penthouse suite in homage to alternative rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.

What was your first rock concert? (If it’s embarrassing, you can plead the 5th)?
Sharma: Rolling Stones: Voo Doo Lounge Tour.
Siegal: Jethro Tull at the Boston Garden. 1981 or 82.

What was the first record or CD that you ever bought?
Sharma: Thompson Twins: Into the Gap. I also won a record in a 6-hour roller-skate-a-thon.
I think it was Olivia Newton John. I remember my mother telling the people who sponsored me that I would skate for a half hour, an hour tops. I skated the entire time out of sheer determination. I was really little... maybe 6 or 7.
Siegal: Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell.

What inspired you to get involved in this project?
Sharma: I was initially intrigued by the concept... designing a space inspired by music. I've
designed spaces influenced by a piece of jewlery, a chair or a piece of art but never a song or a band then Habitat for Humanity's involvement clinched it for me.
Siegal: The opportunity to work with my colleague Sandra Sharma.

Why 30 Seconds to Mars?
Sharma & Siegal: 30 Seconds to Mars was the only band whose music we liked and that shared our passion for the environment. Even their name "30 Seconds to Mars" evokes thought... We have a consumer based society and technology moves so quickly in order to attempt to keep up with our demand for instant gratification.

Designer Spotlight: Dennis Design Group Designing Alice Cooper

2009-07-06T11:45:00.003-07:00

The creative force behind what may seem an odd juxtaposition at first - Shock Rock and 'Green' design - Dennis Design Group proves that modern glamour includes using a little eyeliner and massive amounts of design savvy.

What was your first rock concert? (If it’s embarrassing, you can plead the 5th)?
Dennis: Ratt opened for Motley Crue in an outdoor venue. It was raining all day and right before the show opened, lighting hit the tower in the audience that was suppose to shine light on the band. They couldn't have bought a better special effect!
Casey: Okay so the chronology is a little foggy in the haze, but I think my first Rock Concert was Korn. Sugar Ray was the opener, and this was before they turned all OC bar band, they were heavy Goth rock!! That's right, I think it was 1993.

What was the first record or CD that you ever bought?
Dennis: I bought a 45 of 'Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk'. I think I followed it up with 8675 309.
Casey: Well, it was tapes at the time and they were a gift, The Beatles Yellow Submarine and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The first tape I bought was Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and first CD was Crash Test Dummies! Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmmm........

What inspired you to get involved in this project?
Dennis: It only made sense to match the leaders in green building with the leaders in green interior design!
Casey: With a theatrical and musical background, this project combines my worlds! With this design I get to fuse my passions, and create an iconic Rock Star interior! It is equally an opportunity to showcase the fact that Green Design can be glamorous. Responsibility does not have to minimize luxury and style.

Why Alice Cooper?
Dennis: Alice Cooper is a ROCK GOD and it didn't hurt that Brook Casey is very good friends with him. In addition to being able to dress our space with his personal effects, we might be able to get him to show up at the opening!!
Casey: Alice Cooper is a legend. He is the pioneer of Shock Rock, and continues to give his audiences a memorable theatrical experience. His music and shows have inspired many generations of artists, including myself! With having the pleasure of knowing, and working with
Alice Cooper, I am taking this opportunity to celebrate his career and showcase his theatricality in a sophisticated Shock Rock interior!

Designer Spotlight: K. Casey & Rifle Designing Sinatra

2009-07-06T11:45:00.002-07:00

The dynamic duo of Kristin Casey and Rick Rifle, both familiar faces from their work with HGTV, TLC, and the Style Network, are thrilled to take on Old Blue Eyes himself.

What was your first rock concert? (If it’s embarrassing, you can plead the 5th)
Rifle: Billy Joel, the "Bridge" tour......it was also the first time I got drunk! To this day I can't stand white wine!

Casey: Van Halen, the 1986 tour. Because we Texas girls love to rock!

What was the first record or CD that you ever bought?
Casey: "Oh No It's Devo"...proudly purchased with money earned from babysitting.

Rifle: Either Cyndi Lauper's "She's so Unusual" or the cast recording of "Phantom of the Opera"......I know, you don't have to say anything........

What inspired you to get involved in this project?
Rifle: I came from theatre and opera design where music and libretto are a big factor in design inspiration. This was a great opportunity for me to go back to my roots in a singularly unique way.

Casey: Design in this town is too often about "flash," "new money," and "impression." This project presents a completely unique change. How often are you going to be asked choose a recording legend and draw inspiration from their work? I agree with my partner Rick; it's pure theater and totally exhilarating!

Why Frank Sinatra?

Rifle:If I wasn't a designer, I wanted to be a crooner. Since I can't carry a tune in a bucket, designing a loft inspired by Frank Sinatra is as close to crooning as I'm ever going to get! Seriously though, Sinatra style is how I want to live my life! It's classic and never goes out of style.

Casey: It was a "no-brainer." Sinatra style is elegant, swank, confident, and NEVER apologizes!

Designer Spotlight: Rogerio Carvalheiro Designing Bowie

2009-07-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

We don't want to give it all away before our September launch, but here's a quick peek at the 'who and why' behind one of our amazing design savants.

What was your first rock concert? (You can plead the fifth if you don't want to cop to it!)
Nina Hagen (the Mother of Punk) / Nun, Sex, Monk, Rock Tour / 1983

What was the first record you ever bought?
B-52, first album with Rock Lobster

What inspired you to get involved in this project?
Initially, the possibility of developing a scheme based on a music artist. The correlations between music and architecture have been topics of disertations and books and one that is clear to me. I love exploring the commonalities of the two and the idea that one can inspire the other and that music can be as 3 dimensional as architecture. Also, I believe that incorporating the music history of this site through design metaphor preserves Los Angeles history. History is something that everyone always says is missing in this incredible city but most often it is right underneath their noses.

Why David Bowie?
I chose Bowie because he is a true artist in the classic sense of the word. He developed his own musical language and hasn't been afraid to let it evolve while simulatneously never compromising his art. As Ziggy Stardust, he stepped into the world of performance art and allowed his music to take on a visual aspect that had not been fully explored by any artist before but which became the standard for most rock stars to come (Kiss, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, etc., etc). More importantly his lyrics are insightful, poetic, and transformative. He worked with what he had been given (not typical) and changed how the world perceives a rock star/artist including young and old. Who can forget that duet with Bing Crosby?

Rock-n-Roll Art 101 with Gallery 319

2009-06-29T13:46:00.001-07:00

Platinum Showcase Designers Taking in Gallery 319's rock-n-roll art collection.

This week, Gallery 319 hosted a special mixer in their Ocean-adjacent studio space for all of the Platinum Showcase's design savants. It was the perfect opportunity for the designers to absorb some rare rock-n-roll renderings of iconic musicians like Billie Holiday, Elvis Presley and John Lennon, and for the rest of us to imbibe wine and good vibes! Besides artwork whose subject is rock-n-roll, the gallery also features artwork created by rockers such as Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), Ringo Starr (The Beatles) and Paul Stanley (KISS) to name a few.

Also check back very soon for more news about Gallery 319's first-ever rock-n-roll pop-up art exhibit, to be launched in September during REthink Development's Platinum Showcase at the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios.

TV hosts, designers, and lifestyle experts Kristin Casey and Rick Rifle of Stylush Life

Brook Casey of Dennis Design Group in the company of a giant olive.

REthink Development Co-Founder Greg Reitz (far right)

Jennifer Siegal (OMD) and Sandra Sharma (BLANKSPACE) talking art and rock-n-roll with our own Aunny De La Rosa.

USGBC-LA Visits the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios

2009-06-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last week, the Los Angeles Chapter of the USGBC stopped by for an informal hard hat tour. The group got up close and personal with the project, checking out all the ins and outs of the sustainable features.

Once the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios are completed in September 2009, the USGBC will send an evaluator back with a giant check-list to make sure that all the green features that were proposed during design made it through to construction. And then....the project will receive its official LEED rating.

We humbly predict...Platinum!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the hard hat tour!

Platinum Features for a Platinum Future

2009-06-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

With such a rich and storied history of platinum records, the new Lofts @ Cherokee Studios could settle for nothing less than a LEED Platinum rating from the USGBC.

The decision to build platinum features into the project

from day one in order to ensure a platinum future was not a small one, especially when one considers that of the 4,775,000 loft, condo, and apartment homes in the State of California, only twelve units are designed to meet LEED Platinum green certification. And all twelve are located at 751 N. Fairfax.

The USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental

Design (LEED) program is the one of the most rigorous green building systems in the world. Platinum is the highest certification level achievable. This high level certification is only possible through a steadfast commitment to the highes

t standards of healthy, environmentally friendly design and construction practices.

Together, REthink Development and two-time American Institute of Architects Top 10 Green Award Winner Pugh + Scarpa have created the greenest live/work building in California.

So what makes a green building platinum?

Being evaluated as over 40% better than California's strict Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards (this means a smaller monthly bill!)
20 kW solar electric array (power up your laptop with pure sun juice!)
Dynamic double facade creates shade and buffers street noise while enabling ventilation
Electric car charging for every unit
Located in a walker's paradise (being car-dependent is so passe in LA!)
Extensive bike storage (LA has one of the biggest emerging bike cultures in the nation, who knew?)
Reclaimed Black Forest Walnut from Sinatra's Studio One
Formaldehyde-free cabinets and flooring
High efficiency air filtration (breathe clean air...a rarity in LA)
Optimal natural ventilation
Efficient lighting, including strategic use of LED lighting
Abundant natural daylight
Green, living, cooling roof (with crazy views of the city)
Upgraded glass enhances thermal and sound insulation
High recycled content and locally produced products
Forest Stewardship Council certified wood (50% of all wood products)
Reduced landfill waste by over 75%
Reduced storm water runoff through groundbreaking under-sidewalk infiltration system
Drought resistant native landscaping
Energy star appliances
Dual flush Toto Aquia II toilets
Water-efficient fixtures
Design for durability (like a good song, a green building can last forever)
Double walls between units for sound insulation (and enhanced 'rockability')

Lofts @ Cherokee Studios Featured on Yanko Design

2009-06-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Super cool web magazine, Yanko Design posted a great write up featuring the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios. Thanks to YD Creative Director, Long Tran for spreading the word!

(Excerpt from Yanko Design)
Cherokee Studios by REthink Development is a new soon to be completed project in Los Angeles boasting LEED Platinum certification. Huge Kudos to REthink since this is only 1 of 12 buildings in California to achieve that rating. The building won’t be completed until September ‘09 but I’m so giddy with excitement that I think REthink and whomever the land owners are should just let me move in. Better yet, lets open the Yanko Design Los Angeles branch in the building!

Cherokee Studios...Past, Present & Future

2009-06-17T00:15:00.000-07:00

Past : Cherokee Studios was one of the most significant Hollywood recording studios in the 1960s and 70s. Altogether, its hallowed halls and cutting edge studio spaces produced a combined 300 Gold and Platinum albums by iconic artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis. As the seasons changed, so did the music, and Cherokee welcomed each new wave of music just as it had with the genres of the past. From the days of big band to the disco era, in every age Cherokee was the place with “the vibe” and where musical magic happened.

Through the years, the artists who recorded at Cherokee Studios gathered inspiration from the ones who were there before them. Whether it was Elton John sitting down to write his now unmistakable lyrics at the same piano in Studio One where Frank Sinatra once recorded, or Elliot Smith sleeping on the tracking room floor until final touches were made to his album where David Bowie tracked ‘Changes’, its legacy is a collection of stories, experiences, and the collection of creative spirits that make this musical landmark worth preserving.

Present : In August, 2007 Cherokee Studios officially closed its doors located at 751 N. Fairfax, with plans to once again usher in a new era of musical history. Los Angeles, a rock-n-roll Mecca for anyone with big dreams of making it big as a musician will soon be home to one of the most unique musical institutions in the world. Original Owner, Bruce Robb entrusted his beloved Cherokee Studios (on Fairfax) to the team at REthink Development, pioneers in green building and the renowned architectural design team at Pugh + Scarpa to ensure that “the vibe” at Cherokee Studios was preserved in this new endeavor.

Today, what once was an unassuming building in West Hollywood has been given a facelift, after all this is LA, and come September, 2009 will be unveiled as the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios. Continuing its impressive track record for winning awards, these 12 live/work lofts and 2,800 square feet of commercial space are slated to achieve LEED Platinum status, the highest level a building can receive in green construction.

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios manifest the best in environmental efficiency mixed with a lot of Rock-n-Roll history. Amazing natural light, clean air, non toxic materials, and advanced green heating and cooling system all provide a healthy and productive environment in which to create. The five-story building also boasts a meticulously landscaped green “living roof” with incredible views of the Hollywood Hills. Dedicated in-home music production suites are built in to the Premium Penthouse lofts, as designed by renowned acoustician George Augspurger and Bruce Robb himself.

Future : The musical legacy of the original studios continues as the torch is being passed on to twelve new owners who will now occupy the space. The natural ventilation and renewable energy will breathe new life and creativity into the indoor environment, while the gold and platinum records that fill the lobby will serve as a reminder of the artists who once recorded there, and inspire the next generation of musicians and music lovers. It’s only a matter of time before the next Platinum album comes out of the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios.

Our Platinum Sponsors

2009-06-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

Besides our rock star cast of designers, architects, and installation artists, REthink Development’s ‘Platinum Showcase’ at the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios is being made possible by an incredible and dynamic group of cutting edge vendors, who have each graciously donated their valuable time and resources to this unique endeavor. Our official ‘Platinum Showcase sponsors include:

LIMN Los Angeles proudly features rarified and carefully edited selections of furnishings from designers around the world. Spotlighting innovators such as William Sawaya & Luca Sacchetti to design legends such as Piero Lissoni & Ettore Sottsass.

Cisco Home is a leading Los Angeles-based sustainable furnishings company with six retail showrooms.

Livingreen provides materials and products for healthier homes and workspaces. Offering home furnishings and interior finish materials that are all natural, non-toxic, made of recycled content and energy efficient.

Gallery 319 exhibits rock-n-roll-inspired fine art created by artists and photographers from around the world, many of whom are musicians themselves.

We look forward to the collaborative process between designers, vendors, and developers and cannot wait to unveil the finished ‘Platinum Showcase’ later this fall. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the exciting series of upcoming events scheduled for the month of September, feel free to contact us.

Meet the Designers

2009-06-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Music and design are intrinsically related. They're based on the same principles: creating something out of nothing; something that elicits an emotional response; something memorable. Both require creativity and talent. And the Platinum Legacy Showcase brings the best of both together.

REthink Development has assembled a 'rock star' (pun intended) cast of designers to be part of the Platinum Legacy Showcase. The mission? Interpret music through design, melding musical creativity with a three-dimensional space. Designers have been asked to select an artist from the long list of stars who have recorded at Cherokee Studios and build a compelling, mind-blowing space based on their specific music and character. We're talking homage to, and not mausoleum for.

Joining the team to transform the Lofts @ Cherokee Studios into a living, breathing design interpretation of music are:

Rogerio Carvalheiro - Rogerio has worked with and been strongly influenced by design luminaries such as Julie Eizenberg, Arthur Erickson, and most recently, Philippe Starck. He launched the RC Design Federation earlier this year and will be designing a space in homage to his all-time favorite artist, the Thin White Duke himself, David Bowie.

Kristin Casey + Rick Rifle - Both are familiar faces from shows on HGTV, The Style Network, and TLC. This dynamic (and dare we say, theatrical) duo are designing a tri-level suite in homage to the legendary Frank Sinatra. Martini, anyone?

Lori Dennis + Brook Casey - Lori is the undeniable doyenne of green interior design. Her company, the Dennis Design Group has been designing eco-friendly residential and commercial spaces for the last decade. Brook Casey, a young design phenom in his own right, will join Lori on this project, as they build a space around Alice Cooper.

Jennifer Siegal + Sandra Sharma - Jennifer is a internationally renowned designer who has elevated prefab design to a fine art with the Office of Mobile Design. Sandra Sharma integrated her passion for art and her experience in hospitality design by relaunching BLANKSPACE in Los Angeles this year after completing projects for Wynn Resorts at Wynn Macau and Wynn Encore Las Vegas. The Siegal-Sharma team takes on alternative rock favorites 30 Seconds to Mars.

Check back for more information on each design team and their respective rock stars. Their designs are sure to make the Platinum Legacy Showcase a truly epic experience.

The Platinum Showcase: Music. Interpreted Through Design.

2009-06-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Bowie cut ChangesOneBowie album there. Studio One was built specially for Frank Sinatra's string orchestra. The list of rock royalty who have passed through the hallowed recording booths at Cherokee Studios is virtually endless. Altogether, there were 300 Gold and Platinum albums cut there. But just because the old studio is gone doesn't mean that Cherokee Studios' platinum days are over. Today, thanks to REthink Development, the site's winning Platinum legacy will continue, as the new structure gets ready to achieve LEED Platinum certification upon completion in September 2009. (This will make the new Lofts @ Cherokee Studios the greenest mixed-use development in the State of California.)

To honor this legacy, The Platinum Showcase will re-interpret music history through creative design. We're taking the idea of a showcase, and shaking it up with a bit of rock-n-roll. We've assembled a diverse and rockin' team of design phenoms to create compelling, mind-blowing spaces in homage to a hand-picked selection of artists who have recorded at Cherokee Studios, melding the spirit of musical creativity with a three-dimensional experience. Introducing music, interpreted through design.

Join us as we embark on an epic creative journey and check back often to get the latest updates.