Stop the Orange music studio eviction

We are starting a new fundraiser for Orange Music Studio as we are on the verge of eviction. In a couple of weeks or even sooner, Bill Laswell will be losing the studio. Many of you know from the previous GoFundMe, he has been very sick for a few months. He had a heart problem caused by an infection in December last year. The issue became critical to the point that the paramedics told us we could have lost him had they not been called. After being discharged, Bill has been pretty weak. In April, he suddenly collapsed and was hospitalized again with another infection that resulted in surgery. Since then, Bill has not been able to work and has subsequently lost many gigs and projects, causing financial difficulties - which he has already been struggling with because of Covid lockdowns. A lot of people, many of you reading this, have been helping him, multiple times. He is very much aware of that and the help he is getting is the reason he is still alive and he is forever grateful. He has been managing to pay his rent (home) and medical fees, as well as daily necessities. However, unfortunately, he has not been able to maintain payment for the studio lately.

When Bill was initially informed that he would be kicked out, he thought it might be time to consider giving up Orange and was, in fact, looking forward to changing the location of the studio. But many people called and communicated with him and wanted this facility to be there... He thought he has to take it into consideration that the studio has been benefiting many artists although he has not been able to use it so much recently himself.

Bill wanted to start this new crowdfunding for continuing the studio. This would cover his unpaid and upcoming studio rent.

Orange Music, the studio Bill moved to in 1998 after getting priced out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has a storied history of its own. The studio was built in the late 60s for Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, it was originally called Vantone Studio. In the 70s, groups like Jethro Tull, Humble Pie, Brooklyn Bridge, and Carole King recorded there. In the 80s, the studio was renamed Grand Slam Studios and hosted such luminaries as Aerosmith and George Benson. When Laswell took over the studio, he brought with him his international cast of colorful characters, producing such artists as Tabla Beat Science, Sly & Robbie, Matisyahu, Bernie Worrell, and the inimitable Lee “Scratch” Perry. As a maverick in his field, he has always supported other independent artists, who, like himself, are striving for something further, deeper, and true. That’s why he allows other artists and independent labels to use the studio at reduced rates. So many stand to lose if Bill cannot hold onto Orange Music.

Thank you so much for helping Bill. He is trying his best to get up and stand up.