Uncomfortable Covers at The Continental

An LIC recording studio called The Continental has started a monthly video series featuring bands playing unlikely covers. The series is called Uncomfortable Covers and there are three installments so far…like this cover of Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams by No Honeymoon.

I wanted to learn more about this local recording studio, so I stopped in to meet the cofounder and primary engineer Mike Gevaza. Mike has been running The Continental in its current LIC location for five years, and he’s busier than ever, with multiple sessions often booked in a day. He works with a broad range of artists, recording anything from rock and hip hop to world music, classical, and opera.

He works with mostly independent acts from all over the city, including a few from west Queens. I’d love to see some local acts featured in Uncomfortable Covers…I’m hoping some local bands see this and reach out. Mike, make it happen!

The studio includes a 400 sq ft live room with an upright piano and a selection of vintage amps to give bands options in sound profile. Mike uses a mix of analog and modern digital equipment and techniques – his recordings sound polished but intimate and real. He told me about the traditional, labor intensive process he uses to record, creating a full new mix for every adjustment…lots of it was over my head, to be honest! What was clear was Mike’s passion for his work. He was very excited about the bands he’s been working with and couldn’t wait to share them with me. Musicians should check out the full specs of the studio on their website.

It was fun for me to listen to new music being recorded and mixed right here in the neighborhood. I hope one day to see a more vibrant music scene in west Queens.

I’ll leave you with one more video from the Uncomfortable Covers series, a very unique take on the Beach Boy’s Kokomo by Brooklyn band MIL KED UDS. Look for more on The Continental’s Facebook page.