On the eve of its grand opening last month, Portland-based studio Flora Recording & Playback was broken into, with more than $70,000 worth of equipment taken from the fledgling operation. The facility was a labor of love for Grammy-nominated producer Tucker Martine and his wife, singer-songwriter Laura Veirs.
Nate Query, bassist for The Decemberists, has started a GoFundMe page to help the pair stay afloat. With the insurance company "trying to use a loophole to avoid helping with the loss", the Northwest music community is stepping up to support Martine and Viers. As Query notes on the funding page: "Tucker is trying everything possible to get them to honor his claim but the outcome is uncertain and will take a long time to unfold. "
Microphones, amps, and guitars were all stolen; a number of guitars were recently recovered at a guitar store in Tacoma, WA (and part of the GoFundMe proceeds are being used to repay the store owner what he paid for them), but there are still items left to be found or replaced. In addition to the fund, The Decemberists will also be playing a benefit concert for Flora Recording in early summer.
Microphones:
Guitars:
Guitar Amplifiers:
On her tenth full-length album, the Portland singer/songwriter explores issues of safety and security through the imagery and beauty of her songwriting.
It’s always interesting when you learn about an artist’s path to recognition – and it’s even more captivating when it involves details and arcs you’d never expect. This is the intriguing life of singer-songwriter Laura Veirs: she was raised in Colorado in the 70s, where she studied geology and Mand…
