| Rancho De La Luna | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Location | Joshua Tree, California |
| Website | Rancho De La Luna Official |
Rancho De La Luna is a recording studio in Joshua Tree, California that was founded in 1993 by Fred Drake and David Catching and known as a staple in the desert rock scene that would develop in California. After Drake's death in 2002 to cancer, the studio was operated by David Catching and Drake's collaborators Tony Mason, Ted Quinn, Dean Chamberlain, Billy Bizeau and Fred Burke until 2004.[1] It has since doubled as Catching's home, where he has been known to cook for bands, as well as produce records. The studio is cited as everything in it being "weird, but functional",[2] filled with idiosyncratic recording gear and a raw desert vibe curated by studio owner (and guitarist) Dave Catching.[3]
It is most well known for being the home of The Desert Sessions, a curated project by Josh Homme and featuring a wide range of musical collaborators. To date the series has twelve volumes, all of which recorded at Rancho De La Luna.
Catching has talked about the special nature of the studio in multiple sources.[4][5] and due to the pastoral and unique location it is a favorite spot for tech gear spotlights. Many artists have talked about the relaxed and easy nature of the studio, citing the lack of distraction and easy availability of unique and interesting instruments as welcoming and unique.[6][7]
Quotes[]
"There is something about this studio. Everyone that's been here and recorded here feels it, so there is something to it. Maybe it's just all the love that's here from over the years. People do freak out about the drum room: they say it's the best drum sound they have gotten—even the engineers." - Dave Catching[8]
"Everything is the opposite of a, quote-unquote, professional studio: ‘What is this – are you sure it’s a mic? It looks like a grenade…’ You plug it in… find out if it goes off.” - Alain Johannes[9]
Notable Bands and Artists to Record at Rancho De La Luna[]
Show Us Your Junk! Ep. 2 - Dave Catching (Rancho de la Luna) EarthQuaker Devices
Dave Catching - Artist Interview Rancho De La Luna Studio Tour
Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations 7x13 Josh Homme and US Desert
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Brant Bjork
- The Desert Sessions
- Masters of Reality
- Fu Manchu
- Earthlings?
- Earth
- Fatso Jetson
- Kyuss
- Hulk
- David Pajo
- Mark Lanegan
- Goatsnake
- Tinariwen
- CKY
- Arctic Monkeys
- Barb Wire Dolls
- Bingo's Dream Band
- Eagles of Death Metal
- Josh Freese
- Foo Fighters
- Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
- Gama Sennin
- Dot Hacker
- PJ Harvey
- Iggy Pop
- Kurt Vile
- Victoria Williams
- Wool
Rancho De La Luna in Other Media[]
- In 2018, David Catching and Bingo Richey released a signature brand of Mezcal named after the studio. Built, in part, off of the "massive consumption" of liquor at the studio for sessions.[10][11][12]
- The studio was also the focus of the fifth episode of the Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways series, with one song recorded at the studio for the album.[13]
- Anthony Bourdain filmed an episode of No Reservations at the Rancho De La Luna.
- The studio is also features heavily in the documentary American Valhalla, which chronicles the creation of the Post Pop Depression record by Iggy Pop and ensuing tour.[14][15]