NEW YORK—W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in partnership with Coca-Cola, debuted the W Sound Suite at W Bali – Seminyak. This private music studio and writer’s room will be the place for professional recording artists, studio musicians and producers, in addition to hotel guests, to record in style while on the road. According to the hotel, additional studios in music capitals around the world will be unveiled later this year at W Hollywood, W Barcelona and W Seattle, with more to come.
“W has a long history of musicians staying, playing, and celebrating at our hotels,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “We know that inspiration can strike at any moment, so the W Sound Suite is today’s tech-savvy version of scribbling lyrics on a cocktail napkin. Bali, a vibrant and creative hub often called ‘the alternative Ibiza,’ is the perfect setting for our first music studio, with Hollywood, Barcelona and Seattle to follow. After all, who can’t find inspiration in paradise?”
W Sound Suites are in part the brainchild of the W brand’s North American Music Director, DJ White Shadow, a Chicago-based producer who has worked with Lady Gaga. He has been working with W to identify the best sound equipment and studio layout to ensure the suites are optimal for professional use.
“While traveling around the globe making music for the last decade, I’ve run into many challenges including costly studio rentals, the risk of disturbing other guests, and not being able to find a suitable place to listen to or create music,” said DJ White Shadow. “We dreamed up an environment for musicians to create that is convenient, stylish and functional. I’m thrilled to partner with the equally innovative team at W Hotels—there isn’t another brand that could bring this idea to life on such a global scale and in such an innovative way.”
Elements of the studio’s aesthetic, envisioned by Josh Held Design, pay tribute to Coca-Cola including the subtle integration of the Coca-Cola red and printed lyrics on the wall. Coca-Cola has used music to tell its brand story for over a century, bringing its campaigns into the pop culture lexicon, according to the brand.
“Our partnership with W Sound Suites is an innovative way to help enable, inspire and refresh artists to create and connect over an ice-cold Coca-Cola,” said Joe Belliotti, head of global music marketing, Coca-Cola North America.
The first W Sound Suite at W Bali is a soundproof space featuring a lounge. The main mixing room includes professional equipment including Native Instruments, Pioneer and Moog, as well as a private vocal booth.
To celebrate the launch, W Bali is hosting a new content series in collaboration with upcoming artists called ‘Sounding Off With…’. Monthly video vignettes will capture podcast-style conversations with a touring artist, asking about their inspiration.