The north-of-Boston district known as Camberville is home to no shortage of practice spaces, recording studios, and practice-spaces-that-are-also-recording-studios. Some, like Central Square’s WEMF, are vast labyrinths made up of separate spaces. Others give smaller number of artists more space to spread out and create a community. Boca Studios, nestled in East Somerville near McGrath highway, is one such rad Place You Can Hang.

The studio was founded by Mathieu Cunha and Parker Crane and built from scratch (with a little help from friends) in 2014. Today, the space is run by audio engineer Dan Thorn, who regularly records artists of all genres and keeps everything running smoothly for the several bands that using it for weekly rehearsals. Amps, guitars, synths, reel-to-reel tape machines, and an old Teischord organ line the walls and shelves along with posters commemorating past shows by Boca’s bands. There’s a PA system and a wide array of microphones. For a reasonable rate, the space is open to new bands who want a place to rehearse or record, as well as engineers who are interested in using the studio’s gear. Thorn says that the studio is designed to let artists “seamlessly integrate their rehearsal and recording processes.”

“So many musicians want to record themselves, and know how to,” he explains, “and I want to maintain a cool and well-equipped practice space with better tools for either self-recording, or recording with an engineer, than individual bands might otherwise be able to access.” If you’re interested in checking out Boca, or becoming a part of it, get in touch via the studio’s Facebook page or email Dan at [email protected].

– John Shakespear