REM's new album an Irish 'labour of love'
The new REM album, released in Ireland today, is the latest to be recorded in a little-known Co Westmeath studio.
'Accelerate', the rock group’s 15th record, was worked on in Grouse Lodge during most of July last year.
Other international artists who have hired the facilities include Michael Jackson, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol, Manic Street Preachers, Bloc Party and Paddy Casey.
“We like to keep a low profile because our clients want space and privacy to get on with their important work,” a spokesperson for Grouse Lodge said today.
REM played a sell-out five night stint at the Olympia in Dublin last summer before locking themselves into the Co Westmeath recording studio.
Engineering and editing work on the REM album was also carried out in Vancouver and the band’s hometown of Athens, Georgia.
REM are due to return to Ireland in July to headline the Oxegen music festival in Co Kildare.
Grouse Lodge, which claims to be Ireland’s first international residential recording studio, was opened in an 18th Century Georgian estate near the N6 in 2002 by music industry veteran Paddy Dunning.
Mr Dunning won an international entrepreneur award for the project in 2004.
The facility comprises two modern studios along with nine double bedrooms in three renovated stone outhouses.
It also features a health spa comprising swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and gym. Horse riding, pool, table tennis, archery and fishing are also available.
“We like our clients to be as relaxed as possible during their stay with us allowing them to have a productive and stress-free session,” a spokesperson said.
Other artists to have used the facilities include Sinead O’Connor, Sharon Shannon, Shane McGowan and Muse.
Top producer Jacknife Lee, who worked on REM’s album, is a regular visitor to Grouse Lodge.
