3 bands build recording studio, plan opening celebration Friday

Studio owner Mike Bridavsky decided he wanted to go into the recording industry when he was in middle school. In high school, he began making recordings. And now at age 28, Bridavsky is opening a new studio he designed and built with the help of many other musicians.

Bridavsky’s studio, Russian Recording, will have its grand opening this Friday. The celebration will include an open house during the day and live music and a dance party at night.

“So far, the reception has been great,” he said. “People have been donating amps and instruments. We’re all really excited.”

Bridavsky will set up instruments in the tracking rooms for people to test acoustics during the open house from noon to 5 p.m. There is no cost to attend.

From 7:30 to 9 p.m., three bands will give live acoustic performances. Members of each band played an integral role in the construction of the studio, Bridavsky said.

“When I told people I wanted to construct a recording studio in less than three months, they told me it was impossible,” Bridavsky said. “But we pulled it off for one reason: the help – mainly the musicians and others who worked hard during construction.”

Pete Schreiner, Bridavsky’s longtime friend and one of the first musicians to record at Russian Recording, managed the studio’s construction. His solo project, “1000 Arrows,” which Schreiner described as psychedelic folk rock, is the first of the artists to perform Friday.  

To Schreiner, what distinguishes Russian Recording from other studios is that even the building’s construction is a product of the musical community.

“This studio is designed and built by musicians,” he said. “We had many volunteers dedicated to creating this friendly studio in Bloomington. A lot of extra care went into it.”

Another musician who lent his construction skills to the building is Simon Moore, whose band Kentucky Nightmare will play after Shreiner’s acoustic performance.

Moore helped paint the building’s interior along with fellow musician Scott Van Buren. He said Bridavsky’s technical knowledge is what will make Russian Recording stand out among the rest.

“The very first time I met him, I mentioned that I couldn’t get a four-track to work at another studio,” he said. “Mike made a suggestion and when I went home and tried it, it actually worked. And he’s proven that over and over again. He’s extremely knowledgeable.”  

Bridavsky will play with his band Push-Pull, which he called an unconventional three-piece rock band. All three members of the band were involved with the construction process. Bridavsky, a former audio engineer for the IU Jacobs School of Music, designed the entire building to create the most technically proficient sounds.

DJ LVX will spin music for a dance party beginning at 10 p.m.

A special live performance from Chicago hip-hop band Yea Big + Kid Static will end the night.

The new studio is located at the old Art Hospital on 1021 S. Walnut St. The new Art Hospital building, which is a block away, will celebrate its grand re-opening the same night, from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Staff member Mark Rice said Christmas lights will be strung between both buildings to make walking between both venues simpler.