A group of young entrepreneurs hope they can hit the right note with a recording space where they can foster local music culture.
On June 15, 2024, SAD Entertainment Inc. opened in a new location at 7335 Flint Rd SE that will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any local artists. It has all the bells and whistles of a professional studio.
Founded in 2019 by young entrepreneurs Brenden Ormandy, Jayden Ormandy, and Adrian Rivera, SAD opened its first recording studio in 202,1 completely self-funded.
“It took years to get into a commercial location. The last space we had to build from the ground up. It was a garage when we got into it, along Macleod Trail. We found the deal in early 2021 and we constructed it,” said Brenden Ormandy, co-owner and co-founder of SAD Entertainment Inc.
The initial motivation behind starting the company for Brenden was his idea to help some of his friends who had just gotten out of rehab.
“I kind of just taught myself the programs to help them to record music, and to give them a healthy outlet,” he said.
Having succeeded with this initial idea, Brenden and his co-founders took that knowledge and built a space they hoped would give opportunities to all artists, from any genre.
“Our generation, Gen Z and millennials, they stand a bit outside of Calgary’s typical country music market. There are more music cultures, hip hop, R&B, soul, all of these things. Pop music is big here,” he said.
The team has produced music from a multitude of different genres including, Punjabi music, Afro beats, Amharic music, Ethiopian traditional music, and Ukrainian music to list a few.
“I have worked with people from pretty much every country that you could think of,” said co-founder Adrian Rivera.
The first location was forced to close due to unforeseen circumstances with the property owner causing SAD to relocate to their new location in 2024.
“We constructed it, and we had to tear it all down,” said Brenden.
What sets SAD apart
Pop and R&B artist Brian Hewlett was the first client at SAD, on their opening day for the old and new location.
“It’s not just providing you the tools to record and have your production done. It was like making a relationship with people in an industry that could see your talent for what it is,” said Hewlett.
Hewlett’s first experience with recording studios he remembered being charged quite a bit and being left with no finished product as a result.
“They stand out because it’s not transactional. They care, Brenden specifically, he really cares about every piece of art that comes in there. I think he spent 13 hours just mixing my song,” said Hewlett.
The team at SAD understands that recording music is an intimate process, and one of their focuses is making sure their artists feel supported so that their creativity isn’t discouraged.
“People are behind the glass in the studio like they’re in the zoo, and they’re bearing their soul. It’s almost like you’re staring at somebody who’s naked. They freak out, you know, you have to make them comfortable upon entry,” said B. Ormandy.
Artists are also getting the opportunity to use top-of-the-line equipment at SAD, with them being the only place in Calgary that offers Dolby Atmos 7.1.4., and a mic that costs them $15,000 with a two-year-long waitlist.
“The SONY C800G, it’s one of the best microphones in the world. It’s really challenging to find because it’s built by order in Japan,” said Brenden.
The team plans on moving into film and sound design as their most recent endeavor. Their new location was built with these things in mind and they are hoping to develop that side of their business in 2024.
“When creatives come here to film their movies, they have to send their work to Ontario or Toronto, or even America,” said Brenden.
Bookings for their studio for any local creatives in the music or film industry can be found on their website.
