Luxe Life Blog
Zoe Thrall is prepared for anything in running Palms recording studio
Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour stop at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 25, 2011.
While Robin Leach takes his traditional summer vacation under the Tuscan sun in Italy, many of our Strip and Las Vegas personalities have stepped forward in his absence to pen their own words of wisdom. Our thanks to them all. We continue today with Zoe Thrall, the lucky lady who delivers superstar hits in the Studio at the Palms.
By Zoe Thrall
Ahhh, life in the recording studio. I know what you’re thinking … rubbing elbows with artists embarking on their next big hit. Hanging out with them and their entourages at clubs. Being asked my opinion on what songs should be on records … wrong!
Although there is a perception of a glamorous life in the recording studio, a typical day in the recording studio for me as director of the Studio at the Palms is pretty similar to being a Boy Scout: Be prepared.
My day probably starts similarly to many. I get into the office, review the day’s itinerary, make sure the proper equipment is in place and double-check that the staff is assigned accordingly. This business is often last minute, and a change could have come in at 3 a.m. that moves around the entire day.
There’s something you should know about Studio at the Palms. We are a 24/7 business: Artists work around the clock, and our job is to support them and their needs in any way possible. We are one of a small handful of studios in the world that can accommodate an artist the way we can simply due to the fact that we are at the Palms.
We can provide a Fantasy Suite, a fantastic meal and state-of-the-art recording facilities under one roof. Artists can -- and have … Jamie Foxx, we’re talking to you! -- even test market their soon-to-be hit the night they finish it in one of our nightclubs. It’s a unique and extraordinary operation. Just like any other job, there also are budgets, researching new equipment trends, dealing with staff, preparing reports, sending out invoices … oh, the glamour.
Now back to being prepared. Our job runs smoothly by staying ahead of the game. We recently had Imagine Dragons in for a month. This rock band, originally from Las Vegas who now live in Los Angeles, came back to their hometown to record their debut record for Interscope Records/Kid in a Korner.
After negotiating the terms of their time here, the lead-up to the start of the sessions was intense. We had to make sure that we were compatible with the existing material the band had recorded on its own, meaning constant communication with our engineer Mark Gray weeks before they even stepped foot in the studio. Additional details such as what instruments they were using or would need, scheduling of time in the studio, budgets and the all-important hospitality needs were discussed and reviewed.
Being prepared is the name of the game. The more detail I can get before an artist steps foot in the studio, the better the experience for everyone. Once they have a Grammy in hand, then we can hit the clubs, pop some bubbly and toast to success!
Yes, life in the studio can be glamorous at times. Working with artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and the best producers, engineers and songwriters in the business can be very rewarding. But I had better be ready for whatever demands they have at any moment.
If Britney Spears calls and wants to hit the studio because she feels inspired or Ryan Tedder needs a didgeridoo at 2 a.m., I’m waking up and heading in!
Our thanks to Zoe and her round-the-clock, 24/7 secrets of the stars at work. Be sure to check out our other guest columns today from lovely Lorena and tempting Tracy from “Fantasy” at the Luxor and Harrah’s headliner comedy magician Mac King. Join us Sunday when our guests are Corey Harrison of “Pawn Stars,” Diana Palm with behind-the-scenes secrets of “Jubilee!” at Bally’s and Joel Robuchon’s ace Las Vegas chef Steve Benjamin.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
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