The Review - MUSIC - grooves with ROISIN GADELRAB Published: 16 October 2008
Andrew Maurice at The Suite
All stalk! Andrew’s streetwise approach
IF YOU see this man lurking on Primrose Hill, or hanging around Camden Market, don’t call the police. Hear him out, he might just change your life.
Andrew Maurice, who runs The Suite, a revolutionary music studio in a mystery location – “those who need to know, know” – is probably just out collecting talent.
The chosen few are then offered the chance to play at his studio, formerly the infamous Utopia Studios, which used to be owned by the ex-drummer of Procul Harum.
Andrew said: “On a good walk down Camden High Street I can guarantee I can find someone I would be interested in getting into the studio.”
In bygone days, before it shut down in the 90s, Utopia played host to an incredible bill of names, including Stevie Wonder, Sting, Elton John and Freddy Mercury.
In its new guise, The Suite is opening up to new talent, while still rolling out the red carpet for the big names. Surreal comedy act The Mighty Boosh, smooth operator Alexander O’Neal, singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt and DJ Tim de Luxe, have all used the space to stir up their creative juices.
In an unusual move, The Suite has been kitted out with eight diamante- encrusted video cameras, which broadcast the musical goings-on live online 24/7. Mr Maurice hosts weekly jam sessions, free open-mic nights, and is planning to lay on free online guitar, singing and comic book lessons. Andrew satisfies his thirst for creativity by “collecting” intriguing beings. His tactics paid off for The Joker and the Thief, who recorded an EP with Andrew after he spotted them on Primrose Hill. “I saw two very striking guys,” he said. “One had a guitar and I said, ‘come and play for me at my studio.’ I didn’t hear from them for about four months, because they were doing their A-levels. Then they came in and played and within 10 seconds I said, ‘I’m going to do this’.
“Emit Bloch was my first gig. Again I found him walking down the street with his guitar on his back. I talk to people without guitars if they have a good look. There’s a girl I stalked in Camden for about 25 minutes. It turned out she wasn’t a singer but a choreographer and dancer and now she’s working on [new signing] D.M.T.’s video.”
Andrew says he doesn’t care what type of music people play, his only criteria is that he must love it.
“I look for acts in all sorts of places,” he said. “I find people I like and develop them. Someone might send me an email with their MySpace link, or a CD and I’ll listen to it. I have to love it, that’s my only criteria. I’ve just got to make great music.
“I’ve got a good record – I found Katie Melua when she was 15. I had the first number one of 2001 with Ruiz da Silva’s Touch Me.”
Andrew opened The Suite 18 months ago.
Fans can even send instant messages to the bands in the studio.
Andrew added: “People can book a 10-minute slot on open-mic nights. I found one guy who I thought would make a good Elvis impersonator. I wasn’t crazy about his songs but he had an Elvis vibe.”
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