Inside Torrington's Red Room Studio

Lucinda Rowe and Mick Connolly at the console in the control room.
Photo by Mike Cobb
Engineer and musician Mick Connolly has been collecting instruments, records, and vintage recording gear his whole life. His partner Lucinda Rowe is a singer, guitarist, and entrepreneur. Together they run Red Room Sound Studio, an all-analog recording studio in Torrington, Conn., that delivers a personalized experience you can get your hands on.
Connolly runs technical studio aspects; Rowe handles marketing and communications. They also perform as the musical duo Lucinda & Mick.
Both grew up in Newtown, Conn., and were influenced by classic artists of the '60s and '70s. “I thought I’d be a drummer, but after I heard Jeff Beck’s ‘There & Back’, that changed for me,” he said.
For Lucinda, it was hearing John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” “I was blown away, stole my brother’s guitar, taught myself to play, and never looked back.”
The couple met in 2005. “We knew musically we were a strong force. In 2013 we dedicated ourselves entirely to gigging, writing, touring, and recording,” Rowe said.
About working in analog, Connolly said, “When the studio world went digital, I hung onto all of my gear and never switched. This format is what I know, and I never stepped out of it when most went to Pro Tools (digital recording software).”
“I understand the way it works. It’s a lot like dealing with a human personality. You get to know the very specific details of each component and you develop a relationship with it. I absolutely love the way it sounds,” he added.
From multi-tracking to mixdown, the process is all analog. Connolly records to tape and employs old-school editing techniques such as using a razor blade to cut and splice. Once a track is mastered, it can be transferred to digital formats such as mp3s or WAV files to upload to online platforms like iTunes or Spotify. Connolly’s tape machines, console, outboard gear, monitors, and most microphones are from the '70s and '80s.
“The 3mM79 24-track machine is perhaps the best-known piece of equipment. This specific machine was previously at Electric Lady Studios and featured in HBO’s original program ‘Vinyl’,” Connolly said.
Having worked in smaller studios for many years, Connolly and Rowe envisioned creating their own studio. “Lucinda and I wanted a bigger space with a unique sound. As a record collector who read all the liner notes, I realized that each studio had its own sound,” Connolly said.
“Our space in Torrington is 1,600 square feet with 18-foot ceilings. When we first visited, it was in complete disrepair, but Lucinda and I saw what it could be. It took us two months to refurbish and because of the size of our tape machines, we needed a separate control room. We are incredibly happy, and the sound is exactly what we wanted,” he adds.
Clients include Grammy award winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers like Steve Katz (Blood Sweat and Tears), Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Matt Starr (Ace Frehley), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), and emerging artists like Joey Wit, Candle Opera, and Chris Morrison.
“So many of these people have become like family,” Rowe added.
Connolly and Rowe have helped revitalize downtown Torrington by sponsoring The Litchfield Hills Creative Fest and the block party at The Warner Theatre, where Rowe was recently hired as production manager.
“We also broadcast a live acoustic performance and interview show to WAPJ Torrington Community Radio once a month, which is becoming very popular. The next event will be Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.,” Rowe said.
The recent pandemic added hurdles to an already difficult profession. Rowe explained, “No matter what industry you are in, running your own business is challenging. We opened the studio in March of 2020, the day Connecticut shut down for COVID-19 protocols. We had just finished renovating the space, had our equipment ready to go, had big scissors for the ribbon cutting, and then everything changed. We had to pivot with live streams, recording our own original music for promo, and getting attention through targeted social media and tons of visuals on Instagram. Three years later we are still here and booked constantly.”
So what is the secret to their success?
“There is nothing better than having a happy client refer a friend. We are proud of the relationships we make and that we retain them as well. I believe in social media, and anything visual works well because the studio is so grand. But our biggest advertising tool is the product. You can’t fake the sonic level of our productions, and that is what brings people through our doors again,” Rowe added.
For more go to www.redroomsoundstudio.com
Photo by Mike Cobb
Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.
AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.
“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.
“Megan’s job is not an easy one,” Blackman said, honoring Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent who has served the town for 20 years.
Also among those honored was Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner for 20 years of service as Court Clerk.
Maureen Moore, Court Clerk, was also honored in absentia for her 20 years of town service.
In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.
AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.
A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.
As with the first historic market installation at the Old Amenia Burying Ground, held in April, Amenia Union Cemetery graves of Revolutionary War veterans had been marked with American flags in advance.
Jim Middlebrook, representing the Columbia Mid-Hudson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, attended along with other members of his chapter. Speaking before the unveiling, Middlebrook said that the historic marker project had begun in August 2024, and included a detailed process to certify the names on the graves.
Middlebrook described the work of the William C. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse whose mission is to promote “pride of place” by providing grants in support of installing historic markers and plaques nationwide to honor patriots for their service. Active now in seven or eight states, Middlebrook said, the foundation will soon add Connecticut and Massachusetts to the list.
The new Amenia Union marker honors “at least five veterans of the American Revolution interred between 1787 and 1810,” although Town Historian Betsy Strauss lists six veterans buried in the cemetery. The sixth, Gerhard Winegar, whose burial had been in 1781 could not fully satisfy the certification standards.
Strauss provided the following listing of six names:
Col. Colbe Chamberlain, 1739-1796
Capt. William Chamberlain, 1745-1810
Lieut. Samuel Snyder, 1712-1808
Gerhard Winegar, 1750-1781
Ensign Henry Winegar, 1723-1787
Capt. William Young, 1747-1806
Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.
MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.
Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.
“The Millerton Street Fair will celebrate everything we love about this community — its spirit, its dedication to service and its creative energy,” said James Clark, publisher and CEO of The Millerton News.
Local nonprofits will showcase their work and impact, including Climate Smart Millerton, Eddie Collins Memorial Park, North East Historical Society, Townscape, Tri-Corner FEED, Village of Millerton, and the Webutuck Elementary School.Participating businesses include Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT, The Elephant’s Tusk, and many more.Local retail and dining establishments will be open with special promotions. NECC’s Farmer’s Market will run during the event.
Among the planned festivities are live music from John Stey and the Resilience Brass Band, performances from Bee Bee the Clown, face painting by students from Webutuck High School, and a community-wide scavenger hunt for kids.Other kids’ activities include egg and spoon races, and a “touch-a-truck” open house at the firehouse.The Irondale Schoolhouse will be hosting a special exhibit, and the North East-Millerton Library will be offering signups for the Summer Reading Program, a science show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lawn games, and a cookie cook-off.
For more information, go to millertonnews.com/street-fair.
The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.
MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.
For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.
The second talk, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m., invites Carl Lounsbury of the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg to speak on the architecture of the Nine Partners Meetinghouse. His talk is titled, “Nine Partners Meetinghouse Plan: A New Form in the Hudson Valley.” Expert in early American architecture, Lounsbury’s talk will compare Nine Partners with other later houses of worship in New York and New England.
Both lecture events will be held at the 1780 brick Nine Partners Quaker Meetinghouse in Millbrook. An earlier meetinghouse on the site had burned. The building has remained largely unchanged since the 18th century.
Given the age of the structure, handicapped access is limited and there are no rest room facilities.
Visitors should enter through the cemetery gate entrance.
The lectures are free and open to all, supported by a grant from the county and offered as part of Dutchess County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.