‘I nearly drove my family mad' – Sheffield musician builds DIY ‘recording studio’ in Heeley house

Father-of-one Rich Brown, aged 34, from Heeley, built the ‘studio’ over half term from his job at Heritage Park School, using basic audio equipment and anything he could find around his Heeley home to create a soundproofed vocal booth.

The heartfelt acoustic song Rich produced - ‘Three chords in my hand’ - is a deeply personal reflection on musicianship and life, its delicate beauty giving no indication of the slightly ramshackle circumstances in which it was recorded.

He said: “I decided I wanted to raise my game in terms of recording but I’m stubbornly independent and studios are off-limits at the moment.

“So I read some articles about acoustics and followed the advice to make a little vocal booth. I then went up to the messy spare room at the top of the house and started making things up as I went along.

“I know it looks pretty amateurish but I think the DIY lockdown approach contrasts nicely with the complexity and work that has gone into the song.”

“But I've been making music for nearly 17 years and this is definitely the best output I have ever made. I nearly drove my family mad!”

As well as recording, Rich has played live extensively including at Sheffield’s Tramlines and Peace in the Park festivals and regularly for friends and family.

Earlier this month, he and a teaching colleague produced a video of children and staff from Heritage Park singing the Proclaimers’ hit 500 Miles as a way of bringing the school together during lockdown.

After sending his song to a few friends who suggested slight tweaks to elements of the recording, Rich released the song on his website and social media channels this week.

To listen to Rich’s track now, visit www.richbrownsmusicalstuff.wordpress.com. It will also be on Amazon, iTunes and Spotify within the next two weeks.