Estudio Novena in Mexico City is just four years old, yet has already played host to artists from across Latin America, as well as global chart‑toppers like Charli XCX. This, says founder Felipe Castro, is down to its simple but unwavering value system: good gear and a good environment means good recordings.
“I’ve always liked having great instruments for everyone who comes to record,” the producer and engineer explains. “Many people come to record here because I love recording drums and have been collecting vintage gear for a long time, which I feel is the core identity of the studio. The live room has specific sweet spots which were designed to make certain instruments sound fuller and sweeter. If you record vocals right in the centre or in the far‑right corner, they will sound fuller. Or if you place the drums at either end of the room they will sound more focused. I am really in tune with every part of the studio!”
This focus on the studio environment extends far beyond the technical, of course. “The studio has become a hub and second home for many international and local musicians in the city,” Castro reflects. “There’s an open door policy, where people can come hang out whenever we aren’t in session.”
At the moment I can’t stop listening to
TEED’s album When The Lights Go is the one I’ve listened to the most in recent years. It’s an album that I think perfectly reflects the evolution of music: an excellent record that combines songwriting with electronic music. His vocals are beautiful and very special. I love the depth of the songs, their excellent melodies and impactful rhythms. ‘Blood In The Snow’ and ‘Forever’ are my favourites; they are masterpieces for me. It was produced, composed, and mixed by Orlando Higginbottom — I was with him, in a studio here in Mexico City, but at the time wasn’t familiar with TEED’s music. When the album came out, I was shocked! The sound of the dark synths combined with some very bright elements... it creates a contrast that I think is so well‑crafted and precise. I like all kinds of music, but as a fan of British electronic music, synth music, this album feels different from the rest of what I was discovering these years.
The artist I’d most like to...
You are reading one of the locked Subscribers-only articles from our latest 5 issues.
You've read 30% of this article for FREE, so to continue reading...
- ✅ Log in - if you have a Digital Subscription you bought from SoundOnSound.com
- ⬇️ Buy & Download this Single Article in PDF format £0.83 GBP$1.49 USD
For less than the price of a coffee, buy now and immediately download to your computer, tablet or mobile. - ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ Buy & Download the FULL ISSUE PDF
Our 'full SOS magazine' for smartphone/tablet/computer. More info... - 📲 Buy a DIGITAL subscription (or 📖 📲 Print + Digital sub)
Instantly unlock ALL Premium web articles! We often release online-only content.
Visit our ShopStore.