If you know, you know. In heart of the Wauwatosa Village, inside an old post office, sits a world class recording studio that has turned out hits like Rihanna's "Cheers (Drink To That)" and "California King Bed." A discrete exterior keeps it somewhat hidden to the casual observer, but step inside and you feel like you're walking into creative and cosmopolitan oasis.
Wire & Vice studios, 1442 Underwood Ave., opened in 2001, originally as Burst HQ, under the creative direction of owner Daniel Holter. In that time Holter has created music with countless artists from Milwaukee and around the world, and has also published an ever-growing, boutique production music library via his other business, The License Lab.
A view of the main control room. Photo credit: Daniel Holter.
Now, the studio is changing hands, but it will remain a recording space.
"Holter, who moved to Seattle a year and a half ago and who broke into the business creating music libraries available by license for film, television and other uses, is selling Wire & Vice to Dave and Amy Cotteleer and their son Luke," writes OnMilwaukee's Bobby Tanzilo at OnMilwaukee.com.
"We had the good fortune to have our kids enrolled in the same school, and our sons grew up together as friends,” says Holter, quoted in OnMilwaukee. “Before Luke graduated from Columbia, my company The License Lab brought him on as an intern, and after graduation we ended up hiring him."
Under the new ownership, the studio will keep its name and brand, and will continue to serve local and national artists, in the heart of Wauwatosa.
Holter will be back in Milwaukee this week Wednesday, Sept. 22, for a garage sale at the studio from noon to dusk. He'll be selling a variety of gear and will accept electronic payments. You can find details here.
Listen to this week's podcast below for an extended interview with Holter as he reflects back on his time in the space.
