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“The birth of Groovebox Studios was a very deliberate effort,” Jeff Wenzel, co-creator recently reminisced in an interview. “Deliberate in the sense that it was more than building the business plan, finding out the quirks in the model, ensuring the equipment was always top notch…it was connecting an artistic community and industry that was rapidly unraveling on a global level.”

Since the inception of this Detroit-based incubator project, Groovebox Studios’ Jeff Wenzel of Farmington Hills, Michigan and Shawn Neal of Detroit, Michigan have recorded over one-hundred and fifty bands from all over the world; raised close to $100,000 in capital, which has helped bands fund their full-length EPs; covered the expenses of a small national tour; and continue to provide all artists a space to bring their personal masterpieces to life…without costing one of these acts a SINGLE DIME! “In the beginning of Groovebox Studios, the bands thought it was a scam, it had to be a scam,” Neal recollects. “After all, this industry is full of so many people promising the world and delivering minimal results, if anything at all. Here’s our group going to them, showing them how to ignite their fan base, creating their music in a very inviting, intimate space, and then providing them with a seven-song EP and video to use for publicity and a tool to book acts and upcoming live showcase performances. On top of that, we cut them a check for everything raised over $1,200, plus Kickstarter’s fee.” Groovebox Studios has been so successful that only ONE band hasn’t funded since the first day their doors have opened. “What we explain to bands is that it’s like opening their merchandise booth fifteen days prior to their show,” Wenzel commented. “It’s crazy! Kickstarter, which is a funding platform for creative projects, just reported that Groovebox Studios supports 1% globally all the music funds raised in the world. It blows my mind that our 800-square-foot, cinder block building in the middle of Detroit is making that much of an impact on a global level.”

Of course this model wasn’t ignited on a wing and prayer. It took years and years of real-life experience to help put this together. Seven years ago, Jeff Wenzel and Shawn Neal were introduced via a Craig’s List ad for a band called The Sugar People. The Sugar People followed the same script that has been played over and over again by so many musicians out there. They played to sold out venues, had a massive audience buying their material, labels came and went with minimal interest, lawyers promised fake distribution and placement deals, and have spent countless dollars on full-length CD’s, which sold at major chains with a no substantial results. During this time, Neal who was a school teacher for many years, switched gears and worked for Apple Computers in a corporate capacity. “Having the ability to work in such a highly ethical and corporately sound environment really gave me the tools when co-creating Groovebox Studios,” Neal commented. “Jeff and I really pride ourselves in sticking to the boundaries we have implemented and staying loyal to our brand initiatives. We never compromise the act’s intention with our own opinions. When they walk into the session, they know it is going to be ‘One Band. One Room. One Take.’”

Although the response has been overwhelming, even landing Wenzel and Neal on the cover of Crain’s Detroit Business in September of 2012, there are still a lot of naysayers out there, accusing Groovebox Studios of the same thing over and over again saying, “This is too good to be true. They have to be ripping you off some way.” “I face palm myself and scream at the top of my lungs every time I hear this,” Wenzel states. Trust me, we were there, I sold my soul to the devil and then some to try to build The Sugar People. This is why at any time bands can see how much they are raising.”

Groovebox Studios continually evolves and truly produces the best talent in the Midwest area. Recently, Robert Plant’s guitarist, Francis Dunnery, came through to try out the studio and learn about the model. “I can, with confidence, tell you that he was blown away,” Neal said. “I believe that in past artistic climates, bands never had the opportunity to truly be creative. The music becomes sterilized with multiple takes and overdubs. The true intention of the project never turns into the final result.”