Studio Molières, vintage music recording theater

In the hamlet of Molières, in the town of Verrières, Gaby, accompanied by Simon Lécuyer, runs a recording studio that has become a meeting point for artists from Aveyron and beyond.

Amidst the fields and farms, the sounds of guitar chords blend with the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. In Verrières, at the hamlet of Molières, the eponymous studio has become a true hub of creation, where songs and albums are born, like Nipo, a rock singer and composer from Millau, who came to work on his project on Monday, April 20th.

At the helm of Studio Molières is Gaby, a musician who has graced stages and contributed to numerous recordings for nearly 27 years, taking on roles such as bassist, guitarist, singer, author, composer, and technician. “I have a strong rock background. I have been part of several dance orchestras, which allowed me to discover many styles,” he explains.

Purchased six years ago, the studio was initially meant to be a rehearsal space for the rock band V, consisting of Gaby (vocals and bass), Simon Lécuyer (guitar), and Victor Pollet-Villard (vocals and drums). Two years later, the location transformed into a recording and mixing studio. Today, Gaby and Simon mainly work with rock, jazz, and world music artists.

Working with Vintage Equipment

The standout feature of Studio Molières is its equipment. Through his experience, Gaby realized that vintage gear offers a unique sound quality, both in composition and recording. “Vintage equipment is more organic. Even though not everything in modern gear is bad, the difference is audible. It may be subtle to a novice, but a trained ear picks it up immediately,” he affirms.

Amps, effect pedals, microphones, guitars, drums— the studio houses dozens of equipment pieces, totaling around 200,000 euros in value, with nearly 80% being vintage gear. This is an appealing factor for artists. “It’s a mark of quality. Certain brands can also influence the choice of a studio,” Gaby highlights.

In the region, competition is limited. “In terms of professional studios, Les Hauts Plateaux in Onet-le-Château are more focused on mixing, while Le Silex in Millau is primarily a rehearsal space for recording demos. But we complement each other: I sometimes receive bands starting there who come here to record,” he explains.

Among the Aveyron artists who have passed through Studio Molières are Louis Louis, Matinée d’ivresse, Howlin’Haïqu (Nipo’s band), Mama Said, WoodShack, and the duo La Chose. “We also welcome artists from Toulouse, Bordeaux, and even Switzerland,” adds the owner.

“I’m Not Just a Sound Engineer”

This is not Nipo’s first time recording at Studio Molières. With his band Howlin’Haïqu, he has already laid down tracks there. He praises the equipment quality and the supportive approach offered: “We are an amateur group and wanted to do things professionally. It was very intimidating at first, but they have a supportive and educational approach, while also being very honest,” he testifies.

Gaby also maintains this candid approach: “If a song structure needs some tweaking, I will say so. I’m not just a sound engineer.” The studio now hosts a variety of profiles, from young singers seeking enjoyment to semi-professional groups, to established artists like Nipo, who has been working on an album for two years. In the future, Gaby and Simon aspire to expand and produce more projects from A to Z.