22 • Thursday, February 9, 2012
New Business
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
NEW IN TOWN
Studio Zen Fitness
With doors open since Jan. 16, Studio Zen Fitness brings the latest Hollywood workouts to Birmingham. Classes include Piloxing, Beyondbarre and Powerful Yoga. People all along the West coast are raving about the amazing benefits of these dynamic workouts and now Birmingham residents can benefit as well. Classes offered daily (except for Sundays) at the studio on Valleydale road off of U.S. Highway 280. Budget Rent-a-car
Ahmad A. Farzad, left, and friend and business partner Steve Stanele recently opened a recording studio in Vestavia Hills. Photo special to the Journal
Upbeat about Their Business New KPJ Studio Takes an Artistic Approach to Music, Recording
By Laura McAlister
T
Journal Editor
he outside of one of Vestavia Hills’ newest businesses is nothing out of the ordinary. But step inside and it’s clear that The Studio is different. The Studio is home to a one-of-akind music studio, KJP, slated to officially open later this month. Ahmad A. Farzad is owner and, along with friend and business partner Steve Stanele, KJP’s head engineer. Ahmad said it’s the inside of the music studio that really makes the recording studio unique. The Studio is on Montgomery Highway in the former home of Frames and Fantasies. The space was completely gutted with three digital photography rooms added in the front for Ahmad’s sister Paris Farzad’s photography classes. KJP is housed in the back of the building. Ahmad and Steve sought input from some of the music industry’s most respected producers to create a studio that would allow the best sound quality. “Everything in here is mathematically and scientifically correct,” Ahmad said. “Everything was thought out. We weren’t just building a studio. This was designed with an artistic approach.” Although music has always been Ahmad’s passion – he’s played in bands since he was 15 – it wasn’t always his career path. After graduating from Vestavia Hills High School, he attended the University of Alabama for two years. During that time, four of his friends died. “That’s when I realized I wasn’t doing what I wanted,” he said. “It seemed right that I pursue my passion. I applied to Berklee and got my degree in
KPJ 1018 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills 427-7397 www.kjppro.com music business management.” After graduating from the Berklee School of music, he worked in the music industry in New York City as a producer, learning from some of the best. He met Steve, who also was passionate about music but wasn’t in the business at the time. Originally from Chicago, Steve wasn’t sure about moving to Alabama. But the idea of working with Ahmad and opening the recording studio quickly cast out any of his doubts. “It’s a really special studio,” Steve said. “It took like three months and a couple Excel sheets to get everything worked out, but I feel like we’ve really got a place that artists can pour their soul into.” What they ended up with is a studio that allows for the best live sound, the business partners said. The door leading into the recording studio is vacuum sealed and covered with Cellulose fiber, as are the ceilings. The fiber, made from a mixture of newspaper and glue, is used to soundproof the space. The studio has two major rooms: the live room, where performances take place, and the control room, where the recording and “critical audio decisions are made,” Ahmad said. “We do the recording in one room,
and then we have the live room,” Ahmad said. “It’s not big, but we knew it had to be super honest. It’s got great sound. This is really art going on in here. Chances are, the room helps you sound better.” The speakers in the recording studio are custom-built and enclosed in concrete weighing about 350 pounds. Through Ahmad and Steve’s relationship with Black Lion Audio, a company that specializes in audio equipment and design for some of the industry’s top producers, they were able to have a specific set of converters custom-built that only KJP and three of the music industry top producers own. “They sound wildly impressive and are incredibly rare,” Ahmad said. “Our set is extra specialized which makes it stand alone among its three other brother/sister units. Black Lion Audio are capturing the ears and hearts of users in every facet of the music industry.” Steve and Ahmad wanted the studio not only to produce the best sound quality but also to be comfortable. The concrete floors are covered with Oriental rugs, and there’s even a couch and sitting area in the recording room. Ahmad and Steve said they’re open to just about anybody recording in their studio, from serious performers to those who just want to have a little fun. They offer vinyl recordings and/or digital downloads. Although The Studio hasn’t officially opened, Ahmad said they are booking up fast, and he’s excited about what’s in store for them. “This is just really one of the most exciting times in my life,” Ahmad said. “I’m 32 years old, but this is the closest to feeling youthful. Every day is like a second chance.” ❖
Budget Car and Truck Rental of Birmingham has opened its fifth metro-Birmingham location at 280 Station in Inverness. Budget Car and Truck Rental of Birmingham has served the community since 1963 with locations at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport, Airport Road, downtown and Pelham. Bikram yoga
Bikram Yoga recently hosted an open house and ribbon cutting at its new location at 300 Olde Towne Road in Vestavia Hills. Bikram Yoga is the original hot yoga that has been featured in the press and on television. The postures are done in the safe environment of a heated room so that deep penetration of the heat can relieve muscle resistance without risking injury.
Get Connected The chambers of commerce in the Over the Mountain area offers several networking opportunities. Below is a sampling of some of the networking events coming up: homewood
Join Rob Basso, author of “The Everyday Entrepreneur,” from 8:15-10:45 a.m. Feb. 9 at the Homewood Library for breakfast, networking and an interactive discussion on how to take your networking relationships to the next level and build a better, stronger business. www.homewoodchamber.org Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Shelby Co.
The Vestavia Hills, Hoover and Greater Shelby County chambers of commerce are hosting a three chamber speed networking event Feb. 9 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Wynfrey Hotel. www.vestaviahills.org Mountain Brook
The Mountain Brook Chamber’s second annual Chamber Luncheon featuring Don Logan will be Feb. 9 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Club. www. welcometomountainbrook.com Birmingham
The Birmingham Business Alliance will host a new investor luncheon and orientation at noon Feb. 16 in the BBA large conference room. www. birminghambusinessalliance.com
New in the OTM Area? The New Business section features new businesses in the Over the Mountain area. Know of an interesting business that’s recently moved to the area? Let us know. It could be featured in this space. Call 823-9646 or email editorial@otmj.com.