River Studios

Recording Studio Client
It's been a while since Yazz topped charts in this country and around the world for six weeks with "The Only Way Is Up" but it's hard to find anyone over 12 who doesn't remember it.
"Running Back To You" is her first album in many years and we are proud she choose to record this soulful, diverse collection of classy tunes here at HL Studios, even though it meant commuting here from her home in Spain for a period of many weeks.
Below is what Yazz had to say about working at HL Studios:

I met owner and engineer Gareth Henderson and he was just so relaxed and unpretentious and I liked that straight off! He really listened to my concept and seemed passionate to listen to the demos. My situation was a little complicated as I don't live in the UK and wasn't able to record every week. Gareth was great and suggested technical ways around me being in Spain and being connected to the studio. He uses the Apple Mac computer and Logic Pro recording software which he knows inside out!..his technical understanding is second to none!. The studio is spacious and contains the best coffee and hot chocolate machine ever! Its local to stores and so has easy access for the "gotta go out and walk" part of the recording process!

My project was quite eclectic in its sounds from Jazz to Soft Soul and even an African track and G helped me get an excellent contemporary feel on each track brilliantly. G is constantly updating his studio (whilst I was there he bought 2 Genelec 1038A speakers which he hung upside down - yeah he did!) and man do they rock! They make for a fantastic bass and mid and all round sound. In fact his experience in recording and arranging was so high that I have credited him as Co-producer of my new album because of his generous input to my recording experience.

I loved this sanctuary...I loved its vibe...maybe its because Gareth is so passionate for his work and the artist...he gives way over 100% and its so cool because passion and giving leads to a great work and a contentedness irrespective of your budget"

Yazz - Dance Music Legend

Recording Studio Client
Mark Hill is the winner of four Ivor Novello awards, producer of albums that have sold in excess of 12 million copies and has a caffeine habit that can only be topped by Gareth Henderson.
As half of the original Artful Dodger and songwriting partner and producer of Craig David, Mark knows a thing or two about music and studios
Here is what Mark had to say about our studios:

"It was seeing and hearing what could be done at Gareth's studio that convinced me to have Gareth update my studio set up to match, and to move over to Logic Pro software. I've brought in successful singers and writers that have worked in top studios and they always comment on how great the set up is there."

Mark Hill - Award Winning Producer

Vocal Tuition Client
"I started lessons with SSPS when I was 15 years old. In the 8 years I studied vocal techniques with the school, I shaped the voice that has taken me from school boy, through gigging singer, studio vocalist, touring performer and now to roles in the West End. What I learnt was invaluable and is still helping me today. The best part is when they need to be, they can work on a highly sophisticated level, but in my case they were able to make it all seem so simple, which turned me from an average club singer to a West End leading man. For that I am forever grateful".

Peter Saul, "Val Jean", lead role in the smash musical "Les Miserables"

Peter Saul

Recording Studio Client
Ken Russell – Legendary Film and TV Director (Tommy, Gothic, Women In Love, Billion Dollar Brain)
“You were beyond amazing and we were (are) more than happy with your work. You made it so easy and fun. You are gifted! We will tell people, and we'll definitely be signing up with you again.
Thanks for everything."

Ken Russell - Legendary Film Director

Recording Studio Client
“Thank you so much for a really enjoyable day on Saturday. I really enjoyed the whole experience.
I’m hoping to see you again around Christmas - if you can put up with me again!”

Naomi – first time studio singer

Vocal Tuition Client
"I CONFESS I WAS AS NERVOUS AS ANYONE singing again! BUT...when I heard that Gareth was a maestro at teaching singing I should have felt more relaxed! In fact I felt nervous as anyone at going into the recording process again after such a long break. I had no need to be though...Gareth isn’t interested so much in your sound as he is in you...this is such a huge psychological lift for any singer...it says "I am not attempting to turn you into any other singer other than who you are...I want to help you learn to express yourself and not any other person". GOOD RULE! With G, nothing is impossible...in a relatively short time he had made me relaxed and encouraged me to want to sing my heart out!

I found myself achieving vocal ideas and styles that I never had the confidence to try previously....I was able to bring performance, depth and emotion into my work like never before. Never say "I just can’t do it"- to Gareth, its red rag to a bull....we had some hilarious moments together as he taught me how to reach top notes and low bass notes for harmony parts sometimes just by the shaping of my face! Learning speech through songs developed my phrasing and timing and breathing techniques allowed me to really bring deeper mood control to the lyrics.

At ‘The Southern School of Popular Singing’ the techniques used for the voice are tried and tested by professionals and they work because the teachers work with you, for you. Not everyone is a Yazz or a Gareth, a Coldplay or Joss Stone...and thats the point, we are each given a gift of being individuals and the techniques Gareth’s school uses develops just that. I begged him to come out to Spain but thats another story!....watch this space.......!"

Yazz, International Dance Music legend and singer of world wide hit "The Only Way Is Up"

Yazz- Chart Topping Singer

Vocal Tuition Review
I’ve seen the results that these guys achieve with pupils, both live on stage and in the studio. The results are wicked but I particularly love the fact that these guys take their work seriously, not themselves. They make hard work a lot of fun.”
Dan Mar-Molinero, Songwriter with Lemar, Liberty X, Gareth Gates, Mel C

Dan Mar-Molinero- Songwriter, Lemar, Liberty X

Vocal Tuition Client
"I've been fortunate enough to work with some incredible singers over the years like Craig David, Corrine Bailey Rae and Lemar, so opening my mouth to sing ideas for melody lines in front of people like that can be pretty intimidating! I'd known about Gareth for some time because he had taught some of the session vocalists I'd used in my studio and I'd always been impressed by their standard, so he seemed the logical choice to contact. The lessons I had with him were really useful but also a lot of fun. The incredible enthusiasm he has for the art of teaching singing and for getting the best from any individual's voice is infectious. I'm looking forward to going back for more soon :-)"

Mark Hill, Multi platinum selling producer and winner of 4 Ivor Novello awards

Mark Hill - Winner of 4 Ivor Novello Awards

Vocal Tuition Clients
4Tune – Highly regarded 4 piece vocal act and X Factor finalists
“Hey G Man, Thank you very much for all the time and effort you’ve put in to try and help us achieve our goals. You have been a big part of 4Tune and hopefully we’ll be able to celebrate our success together”

4Tune - X Factor Finalists

Vocal Tuition Review
"We saw the improvement in her singing immediately as she gained confidence almost overnight, knowing she was being trained to use her voice in the correct way. Since having her lessons she has been able to achieve leads at the E Minor Pop Academy and performed her solo parts on stage at venues like The Point in Eastleigh. Charlie's recent school report described her as "a star" and every teacher made a comment on her growing confidence within her peer groups. All down to the fact that she has been able to build on her ability to do what she loves, sing. The fact that she spent her 12th birthday in the recording studio with Gareth producing her own CD of 5 songs speaks for itself. As her parents, we are thrilled with the high standard of teaching, the commitment and especially the continuous enthusiasm shown to Charlie and all that she has achieved because of this."

Allie & Colin Burdle - Parents of Student

Recording Studio Client
BBC radio play for my last two singles - cheers Gareth!

Ben Dalby
Singer songwriter