Rocking In The Free World

Westport Library Studio might be one of a kind in the US

Who knew that a library could rock so hard? In Westport you can enter Verso Studios, which they have billed as the “only public library to ever record, produce, and release a vinyl record.” And over the course of several days, things might get loud when they hold their annual Verso Fest to celebrate all things rock.

Verso Studios, part of the Westport Library is a full tilt recording studio with all the bells and whistles a musician could want. Designed by Rob Fraboni who had built Bob Dylan’s home Shangri La Studios in the 1970s and run by the sound engineer from the Space Ballroom, Travis Bell, it houses unique audio components, including the “Rolls Royce of studio consoles.” With Moogs, Fender Stratocasters, and a Gretsch 5-piece drum kit, things could get pretty loud – so much so that recording drums is only allowed after hours. Which is probably best for the readers in other areas of the library.

To properly celebrate, they started Verso Fest in 2022, and this year’s lineup is looking pretty incredible.

Kicking off the first day is Brooklyn-based Sunflower Bean, who has shared the stage with legendary artists like Beck, Interpol, and Pixies.

Sunflower Bean

Friday will see the Smithereens, fronted by Marshall Crenshaw, who has filled in for the late Pat Dinizio, to run through their hits like “A Girl Like You.”

The Smithereens, Amilia K Spicer, DJ Miriam Linna

And finally, on Saturday April 1, two legends in their own rights – producer Steve Lillywhite who has recorded with the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, U2, Dave Matthews Band and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club – will be in conversation as they “share some stories from the past on April Fool’s Day.”

The recording studio is open to anyone at $120 an hour or $900 for a day, while library cardholders get a discounted rate at $70 an hour or $550 for a full date. They also rent out a “library of things” to go along with your rock record – including a button maker to sell at a merch table.

In the growing definition of what a library could be, a rock studio seemed the least likely. It seems more likely a librarian will be telling you to shush than to crank up an amp. But Verso Studios and the yearly Verso Fest show that there’s a time and place for everything.

For more information on the fest or the studios, you can visit: https://westportlibrary.org/services/verso-studios/