ABOUT
Blank Tape Studios is a professional recording studio staffed by seasoned individuals with expertise in all areas of the recording process. Members of our team have received training and education in production, music theory, composition, and performance from schools in London, Hawaii, Idaho, and the DMV area.
We are a community-focused studio looking to provide opportunities for businesses and musicians to record their trainings, podcasts, audiobooks, demos, and more.
Our team of producers and engineers provide a safe space for our clients. We feel everyone should be empowered and respected. We celebrate diversity and inclusion and feel strongly about protecting the integrity of the client and the content they create.
MISSION
At Blank Tape Studios we work with our clients to create innovative projects by clearly defining their personal and professional goals, developing a strategy for success, and outlining how BTS will help them achieve success. We use a flexible, collaborative process to cultivate polished and professional projects that are viewed as visionary and have increased market value when shared within the industry.
VISION
We seek to be the studio of choice for businesses and artists with a passion and vision for creating unique and original projects to help them positively impact the community. We partner with clients to bring their ideas to fruition.
CORE VALUES
- Provide our clients with a creative, efficient, and collaborative process that creates and completes their project vision.
- Utilize our industry expertise to consistently deliver a genuine, polished, and professional project.
- Utilize positive moral and ethical business practices to help our clients achieve success through a community-based focus.
OUR TEAM
LOREN ROBERTS
Director of Operations
Loren’s focus is on making sure that Blank Tape Studios has the environment to foster creativity and collaboration for all who walk through its doors. From rehearsals to full recording sessions, they are always making sure that the artist is properly cared for and given the space they need to work, while also standing by to offer assistance should it be needed to continue the creative process.
Being a musician of over a decade themselves, Loren has spent their time performing in various bands covering genres from Jazz to Metal. They have experience and education in Music Production and Audio Engineering, alongside a decade’s experience of performing on stage in front of hundreds to thousands. Their musical influences include The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dance Gavin Dance, Shokran, George Michael, Nitro Fun, and The Gorillaz.
Phoenix (they/them)
Recording Department Head
Phoenix is a skilled audio engineer whose work has been nominated for Wammie Awards, featured with George Mason University’s Pep Band, and delivers with radio quality results. They have been freelancing in the DC area for several years and are very excited to be part of Blank Tape Studios’ team to help elevate it to the top studio of the area. Phoenix has professional experience in recording, mixing, mastering, producing, songwriting, and composing.
In their spare time, Phoenix can be found composing game music, playing bass with Metro to Paris, eating sushi, and spending time with family & friends.
Lester Britt
Hip-Hop Music Producer, Artist, Development / Management, Vocal Coach
His goal is to prepare an artist to create their own style by assisting them with ear and pitch training, helping you explore different patterns and musical options for recording, assisting with technology for performance and rehearsals, and understanding how to advertise and publish your work in various locations from local radio stations to Youtube and streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Background: Experience with piano and keys, R&B vocals, stage presence coach, an instructor in dance & choreography; has undergone many musical adventures from New York to California. Willing to work with any genre or style as music is universal!
Danny Aghnam
Producer, Songwriter, Recording Engineer
Danny’s focus at Blank Tape Studios is production for the Hip Hop, Pop, and Alternative genres, he also is available for assistance with songwriting and composition as well as session bass work.
He currently handles production and mixing for several bands in the Richmond area including Wallpaper and ABVE.
His musical influences include: Royal Blood, Queens of The Stone Age, John Mayer, Charlie Puth, Ariana Grande and many more.
Jessica Taylor
Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Engineer
A resident of Sterling, Virginia, Jessica Taylor is a 2019 graduate of Berklee College Of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production & Audio Engineering. She worked as the Head Recording Engineer for Spotify, as an Assistant Engineer at Virginia Beach Recording Arts, has assisted recording sessions at Atlantic Records in New York, and led recording sessions at the acclaimed NightBird Studios in Los Angeles.
She was drawn to Blank Tape Studios for its brand new reputation and the opportunity to grow with the studio from the ground up. She’s working with the studio to make it the premier recording studio of the DMV area.
Matt Combs
Recording Intern / Studio Hand
Matthew grew up loving music for as long as he could remember, being greatly influenced by listening to the classic rock station from the back of his father’s car. He frequently tried out different instruments, including the saxophone, bass, and guitar. He (briefly) attended the Berklee School of Music and his musical taste has evolved to include Earl Sweatshirt, Radiohead, Mac Miller, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash.
Matthew has the goal of becoming a rapper because it involves two of his favorite things: music and poetry. He hopes to be able to use his knowledge and skills to help bring more music, both his own and others’, into the world.
Chris Marlin
Videographer / Photographer
Chris is an aspiring filmmaker and story teller from the Northern Virginia region. They’re passion and drive gives them a level of excitement that they use to bring your ideas to life, whether it be on film with music videos or rehearsal footage, or with photos like head shots or band photos. They’re an easy going, music loving nerd at heart. They’re sure to get along with anyone that they meet! Along with their partner Kyle, they hope to give you the product you’re proud to show off whether it’s on stage, in the rehearsal space, or in the recording booth!
Kyle
Videographer / Photographer
Kyle is the second half of the videography team.
Features
Teacher by day. Rockstar by night
Get Out Loudoun – Entertainment Magazine & Website
“ With all the family’s experience performing over the last decade, a recording studio was the logical next step, Marrott said. With Blank Tape Studios, “we want to redefine the local music scene and what that means … [by] emphasizing the original music that’s here and the behind-the-scenes work that’s done, and sharing that part of the story with more members of the community.” “
OnLine with Bill Alexander
iTalk.net – Podcast based in Uniontown, PA
On this episode Bill talks with Kristyn Marrott of Blank Tape Studios about their new venture in Loudoun County, Virginia.