Wood and a bunch of other artists use the soundproofed space with an extra-high ceiling to create a new album every month. It's a staggering feat when you consider it means recording a new song every three days. And then they essentially give it away for free.
Wood is at the vanguard of how musicians are negotiating pay in a world overrun with free music online. He distributes his music to anyone who wants to download it, copy it or share it with other people. He then asks for donations or subscriptions to CDs that he sends in the mail.
Many artists have tinkered with mostly or completely free online album releases, such as Radiohead and Trent Reznor's Nine Inch Nails. They've instead aimed to make money on sales of souped-up deluxe CD sets or concert tickets.
But musicians like Wood, who don't have a huge fan base, are unlikely to make it by filling arenas and selling high-priced goods. And as regular CD sales continue to fall and major recording labels pare their artist rosters, up-and-coming musicians have to find ways to promote themselves in ways that were unheard of a few years ago.
Wood's album-a-month plan, along with a written blog explaining his inspirations, is designed to spur interest and build loyalty among fans. He hopes that one day some real money can be made from it as well.
“Obviously that would be a great side of it and that's something we're aiming towards," Wood says, sitting by a mixing board surrounded by guitars and keyboards on a Friday afternoon. “To me, this whole project is really just about music and art and creativity."
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