In the Studio: Yoko, Thurston, Kim Gordon, Björk, ScarJo, More

Walter Sear, the great engineer and founder of one of the best analog-dedicated studios in the world, Sear Sound, passed away last year, leaving behind an inimitable legacy of amazing recordings and innovations. The studio he started, however, is still up and running with a number of his former collaborators putting tunes to tape that are sure to keep his noteworthy reputation intact for many years. Earlier this week, in fact, Sonic Scoop proved their name was entirely accurate by getting the scoop on 4 intriguing projects in the works at NYC’s Sear Sound as of late. A few standouts:

  • Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore are following up past live collaborations with Yoko Ono by recording an album as a trio. Moore once mentioned this LP on his blog, teasing that they plan to lay down tracks ““with blindfolds” on. No word yet on whether Thurston brought his pal Sean Lennon in for a Plastic Ono Band cover or two.
  • Björk not only has a “scientific musical” project in the works with Michel Gondry, but she’s busy finishing up sessions for her follow-up to 2007’s Volta as well.
  • Scarlett Johannsson’s last album, Break Up, was a duets record with Pete Yorn that was inspired by Serge Gainsbourg’s late ’60s LPs with Brigitte Bardot. And now the singer/actress is making a record with Gainsbourg’s son Lucien, aka Lulu Gainsbourg.
  • Madeleine Peyroux has enlisted the help of Marc Ribot and Fiona Apple collaborator Charley Drayton for her next full-length.

We’re looking forward to hearing all of these recordings, but read more details in the meantime and get the early word on many other projects happening at Sear Sound here.