“Music should be for everyone, and I want this studio to be for everyone” – Steve Liddle, co-founder
In the heart of the Algarve’s Golden Triangle, a new studio providing a wide range of services, from music production to photography and content creation, is promising to establish itself as a sanctuary for creativity.
SoundBunker Algarve, a new one-stop shop for creators, was inaugurated in Almancil on Thursday (October 3) at Café Fresco in front of a warm crowd of friends, family, musicians, artists and creators.
The new studio, offering content and film creation, music production, recording, mixing and mastering and photography services, was born from a partnership between music producer Steve Liddle (also known as Lofty) and Raquelle Gracie, a singer-songwriter who participated in the UK’s “X Factor” as part of the band Hope.
With state-of-the-art recording equipment and a range of services tailored to meet the modern needs of creators, this creative space is promising to make waves in the Algarve’s cultural scene.
For Steve Liddle, SoundBunker Algarve is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Having spent 12 years working in recording studios in the UK, Steve’s connection to Portugal dates back to his childhood. “I lived here for about three years as a child, and it was always my dream to get back,” Steve told the Resident at the studio’s inauguration ceremony last week.
Setting up his own studio in the Algarve was a dream that came true and that evolved into the multi-faceted creative hub that it is today after Steve met Raquelle around one year ago.
“It progressed naturally,” Raquelle told us. “One thing led to another and, in a very short time, it expanded from a small idea into something much bigger.”
Rachelle decided to move to the Algarve with her husband when the Covid-19 pandemic happened in search of a better quality of life. While she was uncertain about what kind of situation she would find in the region in terms of its music scene, her worries were unfounded.
“This is the best, most fulfilling and whole situation I’ve ever been in, musically,” Raquelle said, singing the praises of the Algarve as a location where artists can let their creative minds run free.
“I feel so much more relaxed and more creative here than I would in the UK, it feels like home to me,” Steve chimed in.
Raquelle added: “There’s so much scope here for artists to not only use our facilities but to also experience the beauty the Algarve has to offer. It’s an escape from the concrete jungle, and all we, as creators, want to do is create.”
What sets SoundBunker apart from other studios is its inclusive philosophy. The team believes that music and creativity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level. “Music should be for everyone, and I want this studio to be for everyone,” Steve emphasises. “If you have a kid who wants to sing, bring them in. If you can’t sing, come sing anyway, have fun.”
This open-door policy reflects Steve and Raquelle’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for all. Studios, as Steve points out, are often closed-off spaces, especially to beginners. “I tried to get work experience in a studio, and it’s almost impossible. They’re locked-off environments.”
The goal with SoundBunker is to provide the complete opposite experience. The studio can be used for stag or hen parties, to try out singing or performing in a studio, or simply to have fun, while also boasting all the state-of-the-art equipment that professional musicians and artists expect from a modern studio.
Next door to the studio is SoundBunker’s creative hub, which can be used for everything from photoshoots and podcast recordings. There is the option to simply rent the space and equipment or use SoundBunker’s professional in-house content creator and photographer. The studio also offers the possibility of booking creative retreats.
The full list of services provided at SoundBunker Algarve can be found on its website, launched on the same day as the studio.
SoundBunker Algarve is located on the first floor of the Irbosol building in Almancil, on Estrada das Escanchinas.
+351 964 895 908 | bookings@soundbunker.pt
Text: MICHAEL BRUXO – michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
Photos: JULIANA LEAL PHOTOGRAPHY
