Recording Sweet Spot – Mother Brother Studios, Bridgeport, CT

Connecticut isn’t often accused of being a cultural hotspot, but don’t underestimate the sonic steadfastness of the Nutmeg State.

One studio that’s seen the musical persistence of CT is Mother Brother, founded by Matthew Vitti in Northern Bridgeport. Clients who call on Mother Brother have two choices: rock and electronic artists go for the home-based recording den, while classical ensembles (among others) often opt to record at the beautiful sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in nearby New Canaan – an awesome sanctum Vitti calls “one of the most acoustically captivating spaces in Connecticut.”

Matthew mans Mother Brother in Bridgeport, CT.

Whatever the genre, Vitti – an arranger, composer, musician, engineer and producer – sees an intriguing Connecticut scene. “It’s difficult to describe,” he says. “What you typically hear is screamo, pop-punk, math rock, variations of country/folk influenced styles, metal, or grunge rock, and garage rock. I’ve found that artists in CT are intensely devoted to propagating their music and style within CT for CT. Bands will tour, sure, but there seems to be a loyalty to the state and its unique musical diversity.

“It’s a shame more bands from CT don’t get wider exposure,” he continues. “There’s some seriously interesting talent here. A few names worth looking up: The Step Kids, 5 Turns 25, High Pop, Florida=Death, Ovlov, Cosmic Jibaros, and So Big. Additionally, there are superb classical music ensembles scattered throughout, as well as organizations and opportunities for composers of new music, such as Central Connecticut Composers Circle, The Hartford Phase Shift Music Series, Pro Arte Singers, The Sherman Ensemble and the New Haven and Hartford Symphony Orchestras.”

Whether you seek an intimate indie audio haven, an open-minded lab for sound experiments, or a place to go big – REALLY big – Mother Brother just may become a choice destination.

Facility Name: Mother Brother Studios

Website: http://www.motherbrotherstudios.com

Location: The studio is located in a suburban neighborhood in northern Bridgeport, CT (aka City of Dreams…that’s a joke).

Neighborhood Advantages: My neighborhood is quiet, friendly, and located 10 minutes from Metro North, RT-15, and I-95. There’s a range of authentic dining experiences available in the area, too.

Date of Birth: I’ve been recording for 12 years, but officially made MBS into a legit business September 2012.

Facility Focus: I can track, mix, master, arrange, compose, play instruments, and taste you on some wonderful Tuscan reds. Additionally, every artist has the option to have their project mastered by my cousin, Michael DiCrescenzo, at his home studio, MD Sounds.

I also offer services directly focused on recording classical musicians. I’m really fortunate to have exclusive access to a beautiful cathedral space, New Canaan’s First Presbyterian Church, located about an hour from NYC.

The space features 75 foot high ceilings, a beautifully kept 9ft Steinway, a harpsichord and a 2,861 pipe Aeolian-Skinner Organ. I record a lot of auditions there, as well as choirs and chamber ensembles. Of course, this space is not solely reserved for classical musicians.

Got live room? Mother Brother clients of all genres have access to the extremely spacious sanctuary of The First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan, CT.

Mission Statement: Innovate, collaborate, create, enhance, communicate.

Clients/Credits: Phil Cohen, Kate Bass, Manbourine, Concordian Dawn, Graciela Arguedas, Sharon Malane, The Van Burens, Jeremy Bass, Dawn Mother, Emmett Knox, Alain Charise, Davis Baer, VOCES8, Myles de Bastion, Mother Brother, So Big, The Selkie, Yokel and the Heavyweight, St. Agnes Cathedral Choir, MODKAT, Sector 9 Productions.

Key Personnel: Hi, I’m Matthew. I do music. I put forth my best effort to be a patient, efficient, practical engineer, and collaborator.

I’m not afraid to take risks and I’ll find something to admire in every style and genre. I’m a bit of a beverage enthusiast, as well, so my fridge and cabinets are always stocked with unusual, tasty libations.

System Highlights: My Space Echo is invaluable. I use it on everything. Occasionally, I’ll switch up the tape lengths depending on how active I want the echo to be. It doesn’t just add an echo, it adds a sense of space and depth to whatever it touches. The possibilities are endless.

My other favorite is my Valley People 610. With the right tweaks this thing can create some very interesting compression and gating results.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Mother Brother Studios offers artists a ridiculously comfortable environment to create and perform. There are a slew of toys to pick up and play, but that’s never distracting, more so inspiring.

The studio can accommodate live tracking sessions and is very well-suited for the experimental artist looking to immerse themselves in a state of creativity.

The Space Echo no Mother Brother can live without.

The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? Imagining this scenario makes me want to cry, but I’d have to say my H2 Zoom Portable Recorder.

I started by recording the sounds around me and I’ve enjoyed the direction I’ve been taking since then, so why not start from a familiar point?

Rave Reviews: What do people tell you they like/love about your studio? A lot of the artists I work with dig the overall vibe and comfort they feel while working in the space. They realize something new and different is happening and they watch and listen with excitement as their art comes to life.

There’s a mutual artistic respect that’s evident in my sessions. I think if you can’t respect the effort of someone’s creation, you’re going to have a hard time finding meaning in your own work.

Most Memorable Session Ever: There are many, but one in particular comes to mind. I did a session with Dawn Mother where we devised a crazy, surround sound amp experiment, recorded it to tape and slowed it down…best idea ever.

Session You’d Like to Forget: I may have been unhappy with sessions in the past, but I’d never want to forget them. I learn from every session, good or bad.

Dream Session: Ha, here we go: A session with Baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and pianist Glenn Gould performing German lieder, being manipulated in real-time by Fennesz, while Tony Williams rips out nasty beats, and Alban Berg is sitting in the corner transcribing it all. Sounds fun.

— Matthew, Mother Brother Studios

Welcome home — inside Mother Brother.

Shadows, light and headroom at First Presbyterian.

Miking the MB amps.

Another view of the sanctuary.

Keyboards at MB.

Keyboard of a different kind — the church’s 9 ft. Steinway.

Gear back at the ranch.

More MB keys, if you please.

Mother Brother Studios is on SonicSearch.

Correction: An earlier version of this article displayed several photographs mistakenly identified as First Presbyterian Church. They were of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, New York.

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