Photo Credit: Angeli Castillo
Abu Dhabi Week sat down with founding member of White Cube, Waleed, to find out more about their new recording studio in the centre of the capital’s beating musical heart
The summer of 2013 saw the creation of White Cube. In essence, White Cube is a studio for all types of artists to record their work. The microphones are ready, recording equipment standing by, but there is more to this homely artistic haven than meets the eye.
Waleed, one of the three founding members of the studio explained how the Cube’s foundations were laid.
“I’ve been friends with Abrahim and Nerses since third grade. We are basically brothers!” said Waleed. “We set up a band several years ago now and performed in many local schools where our music became quite well-known with the teenagers of the capital. As a band, we also toured around Canada before going off to study at university.”
“After university, we all came back to Abu Dhabi where we began to work. We quickly realised that we weren’t going to be famous rock stars but knew we wanted to keep something going. We continued to collect equipment and soon opened our first studio in July 2013. But this was just for us, not for a business or anything. However we began to question why we have this studio at all? That’s when we said, let’s create a music scene,” said Waleed.
Music runs through the veins of this musical trio and it’s their passion and love for not only music, but also digital media and video production that has kept them working as a group for so long. White Cube caters to independent artists as well as offering photography services, video production and live sound events.
“One thing we do for all our clients is either an interview video or a shout out. The interview video is a chance for people to look at our YouTube page and get to know a local band/artist on a more personable level, all while hearing one of their latest songs. The shout out is usually one or all of the White Cube team members covering an artist’s work,” said Waleed.
The studio opened in January 2014 and the move from the old residence was an event in itself.
“We invited all our friends and family along to the old place where, along with myself Abrahim and Nerses, local groups and artists performed to give us a real send off. Everyone helped us pack and moved all our equipment over to the new place, including this famous sofa we are sitting on now. It’s where we conduct all our interviews and you wouldn’t be surprised to find one of us sleeping on it at some point, someone is always around at White Cube.”
So what does the future hold for these musically minded men? Do they plan to give Rock-A-Fella Records a run for their money?
Waleed said: “We want this really to be a community space. We are going to have Wifi for visitors, a place for artists to come and chill out, work together; this is going to be an artist’s hub and an all round educational experience.
“This place is going to help bands and soon Abu Dhabi will have a music scene where the international music industry comes second. That’s really our dream.”
If you would like to contact the White Cube team for more details on pricing and upcoming events, email: White Cube at [email protected]
Social media links
- www.facebook.com
whitecubeproductions
- www.youtube.com
whitecubeuae
Jack Dignum
