Just southeast of the Virginia Commonwealth University campus in Richmond, Va., lies a compact neighborhood called Oregon Hill. Historically, it’s been a (white) working-class part of town, affordable for students and various bohemian types. Recording engineer Lance Koehler was drawn to the place when he moved to Richmond from New Orleans; it’s where he eventually found a two-story garage and converted it into his own recording studio and home. It didn’t take him long to start doing business across the Richmond music map: Koehler is good at his job, and he’s affordable. His business is called Minimum Wage Studios for a reason. He’s also a drummer, and though he grew up in Southern California, his time in New Orleans left a deep impression. Inspired by the Crescent City’s modern brass bands, in 2006 he started the NO BS! Brass Band with trombonist Reggie Pace. They had a place to fit between 10 and 13 musicians for rehearsal, and they had the means to document their work. And, owing to VCU and its conservator
Hide player controls
Hide resume playing