Lafayette music studio credits city small-business grant for accessibility, sound and plumbing upgrades

Dog House Music Studios owners Liz Vasco and Kenny Vasco credited a City of Lafayette Small Business Capital Grant with funding plumbing, flooring, sound-insulation and bathroom accessibility work at their 23-studio complex, they said in remarks to city staff.

"When we saw the opportunity for this small business capital grant we were like, this is the time," said Liz Vasco, co-owner of Dog House Music Studios. She said the upgrades addressed deferred maintenance the business had managed while operating in the building for nearly six years.

The grant paid for work studio owners said improved sound isolation and lowered energy bills by adding insulation, smoothed and replaced flooring to improve accessibility, and fixed plumbing problems that had required temporary measures during events. "Before, we were able to do these improvements during live events ... we were literally filling the toilet with a bucket of solid flush," Vasco said.

Kenny Vasco, co-owner, described the studio as a 23-studio complex that hosts rehearsals, recordings, intimate shows, album-release events, open mic nights, a monthly women—s jam and a songwriters meetup. He said the upgraded sound isolation allows simultaneous recording and rehearsal in different rooms without interfering with each other: "The death metal drummer drumming on one side of the building and the mariachi singer on the other side of the building, don't need to hear each other."

Both owners said the improvements made the facility more welcoming for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in the studio's programs. "The fact that we were able to smooth out our flooring, replace flooring, make our bathrooms more accessible, was a game changer to allow us to help those folks enjoy music however they see fit," Kenny Vasco said.

The Vascos also praised the city for its application process and ongoing support. "This grant was really very simple to apply for," Liz Vasco said. "The city got right back to us and that was so helpful." Kenny Vasco added that city staff maintain an "open door policy," and that informal conversations with city staff have often produced helpful outcomes.

The owners did not specify the grant amount, application date, or the formal name beyond describing it as a small-business capital grant. They did not describe any formal conditions attached to the funding, nor did they report a formal vote or council action during their remarks.

Dog House Music Studios identified a lead engineer, John, who the owners said would benefit from the improved sound isolation because it allows recording while others rehearse. The owners said the upgrades also reduced energy costs but did not provide dollar figures.