01/03/2026
Hi everyone, it’s Tom. 🙂
I’ve sold Tazma Studios to Connor Chappell. 🤯
Most of you know Connor well, not only as a fellow musician but because he officially started working full-time for Tazma in September 2024. He’d been helping me for a long time before that with many activities, including recording live sessions. He’s not only a talented bass player and highly skilled sound engineer, but also a good friend of mine for many years. We’ve never had so much as a cross word between us. 🤗
I couldn’t think of a better person to take the reins, continue to grow this beautiful place, and support the local music scene. We’ve both been preparing for this moment for nearly a year, and I can assure you he knows just how much care and attention I’ve put into everything to make sure every musician leaves the studio after rehearsal with a smile. He probably knows more about day-to-day life at studios now than I do. 🤘
It’s been nearly nine amazing years for me, nine years on 1 April exactly, and this final decision hasn’t been easy. Tazma was never just a business to me. I’ve always felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in giving back to the local music scene. ❤️
Over the years, I did my best with the time and resources I had. I started from scratch, renovating a derelict building that had been unused for years, with a few grand on my credit card, an idea, and a lot of motivation. I was hoping to survive at least one year. My main aim at the beginning, back in 2017, was to create better, more comfortable, well-equipped, acoustically treated rehearsal studios in Exeter. 🎵
Most importantly, I wanted neutral interiors. As much as we all love band posters and memorabilia, Tazma hosts all kinds of bands, from death metal to jazz. I felt no single style should dominate the space where all those bands come to create new music. After nine years, Tazma is thriving, with over 33,360 hours of music played in the building, offering more services, and constantly improving. 🎸
Thank you to everyone who visited Tazma, even just once, for believing in it and supporting it. Without all of you, it wouldn’t have been possible. I hope you’ll continue to practise, create, learn, teach, and record music at Connor’s Tazma Studios. ❤️
I wish Connor all the very best in his new role, and I’ll be actively supporting him over the next few months. 💪
As for me, I’m returning to design work, and I’ll still be at Tazma as usual with my two bands. The only difference is that I’ll have to book my own sessions. 😉
(In the photo, left to right: myself, a very happy Connor, and Mariusz, who runs Hussar Records store.)
