CARTHAGE, Mo. — Area musicians will be pleased to hear there’s a new recording studio in Carthage, Mo.
Joe Nicholas – a 2020 CHS graduate – is putting the finishing touches on Maple Leaf Recording Studio, connected to the Maple Leaf Music Academy, 1907 S. Garrison Ave. Since moving back to his hometown in May, he has already helped some artists with their first studio recording experiences.
“It’s pretty awesome to just keep the dream going,” Nicholas said, in the renovated loft studio. “We can make anything happen in this room, get artists the chance to make their vision come to life and get their music on streaming platforms.”
After high school, Nicholas obtained his bachelor’s in vocal music education from the University of Oklahoma in 2024. Throughout his college days, he developed a passion in music with two bands – Weekend Friends and Daychaser – and found himself enthralled with the innerworkings of the recording studio.
“It became apparent to me as a musician in a band that some magic can happen in a studio,” Nicholas said. “I want to help others do that, too.”
As he was earning his master’s in music production from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, Nicholas was also learning the mechanics of sound equipment, and the biology of a good recording environment. When he brought that knowledge to his new space in Carthage, he knew how to create the isolation room, controls room and noise-canceling essentials to make his new studio.
“When Joe proposed the idea of a recording studio, I was thrilled for him and I just wanted to do anything I could to support that,” said Kacey Baugh, owner of Maple Leaf Music Academy. “I am so happy that Carthage is going to have access to such a music genius who is so passionate about the arts and recording and is very, very good at what he does. We are blessed and Carthage is blessed. I think it can bring a lot of musicians to Carthage, but also commercial recording. He can do things for marketing agencies, podcasts, television and radio stations – Any audio engineering that you have, Joe can do. It’s not just recording for bands.”
On top of the opportunity to record original music, Nicholas also offers private lessons with Maple Leaf Music Academy. He still plays keyboards and synthesizers for Weekend Friends and Daychaser, and produces his own music.
To hear some of Nicholas’ music, check out “Sonic Archive” under the penname, Joseph Reese, and his mix and mastering skills in Weekend Friends’ new album, “My Body is Meat.”
