Opening doors for emerging artists since 2024.
Our latest news…
Dave Gutter performs during our launch event hosted by Live at Madrid’s in November 2026
On November 5th, 2026, EMA launched our latest community music initiative with a fundraiser concert hosted by Live at Madrid’s in Portland, ME…
LONG LIVE THE NEW: RUSTIC OVERTONES REIMAGINED
This event marked the public launch of a tribute album celebrating the 25th anniversary of ¡Viva Nueva! by the Rustic Overtones, one of Maine’s most beloved and enduring bands. Conceived by EMA founder Sam Monaco and produced with the help of bandleader Dave Gutter, the project aims to bridge multiple generations of local musicians, connecting emerging artists with more established performers, while cross-pollinating audiences along the way.
The forthcoming album will feature a diverse range of local musicians — including The Fogcutters, Kenya Hall, Cilla Bonnie, Midnight Breakfast, Primo Cubano, ENiAM, Lolabelle, Melvin Gradiz, Jaylen White, and One Hundred Thorns — covering all 16 songs from the original 2001 release, which featured guest appearances from David Bowie, Imogen Heap, and Funkmaster Flex. The first single from the forthcoming compilation — “Baby Blue” by Alma June and the Persian Cats — was released exclusively to the audience who attended the project’s launch event, but will be widely available soon! If you would like to stay informed of updates on this project, join EMA’s mailing list, or consider making a donation to support the album’s production and release!
Our mission is to make professional studio recording & audio engineering training more accessible for aspiring recording artists and producers — regardless of age, resources, or experience. We aim to diversify the stories and voices represented in Maine’s music industry, and train the next generation of music producers & engineers. Artists apply here!
With community fundraising support, we’ve already recorded over 100 songs with subsidized studio time for students and under-resourced musicians, racking up 221,000 streams and counting.
Have a listen to see what we’ve been up to — and consider making a donation to sustain our momentum.
Experience one of our latest community collaborations with Vigorous Tenderness: an outdoor immersive concert series that amplifies marginalized voices in classical music and democratizes new / experimental music.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
DESERT BLUES
Help bring Desert Blues’ first professional studio recordings to life! Fulani musician and storyteller Baba Ly, originally from Mauritania, joins forces with John Costa to blend West African musical traditions with American blues.
Alongside recent performances at All Roads Festival and Brass Roots Fest, this crowdfunding campaign will help Baba preserve songs passed down through his family and share them with his children—as well as new audiences in Maine and beyond.
Our studios:
![[the square] - Portland studio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/672a3a03b85d2851b965beb0/34244a1b-f770-4a4d-843c-468821c347f5/the+square+logo+transparent.png)
[the square] - Portland, ME
Our expansive new home base in the Arts District, with events & workshops offered alongside recording & rehearsal space.
Monaco Studios - Falmouth, ME
The solar-powered farmhouse where it all began: a cozy, woodsy retreat with on-site lodging available on request.
Inclusivity.
Community.
Education.
all in equal measure.
Impact by the numbers…
100+
SONGS PRODUCED BY STUDENT MUSICIANS
240k
TOTAL STREAMS OF STUDENT RECORDINGS
15+
STUDIO INTERNSHIPS COMPLETED
20+
LIVE STUDENT PERFORMANCES PRODUCED
EMA making news…
Mainebiz: “Creative studio with a co-working element opens in Portland's Arts District,” by Laurie Schreiber. December 8, 2025.
Mainebiz: “Maine College of Art & Design partners with Falmouth recording studio,” by Laurie Schreiber. May 30, 2025.
Spectrum News: “Falmouth music nonprofit partners with Portland arts college,” by Sean Murphy. May 21, 2025.
The Forecaster: “Falmouth nonprofit aims to empower emerging musicians,” by Nick Ressel. January 6, 2025.
Spectrum News: “Falmouth music studio striking the right note with new nonprofit,” by Sean Murphy. January 3, 2025.
Mainebiz: “Falmouth recording studio launches nonprofit to help emerging musicians,” by Laurie Schreiber. December 31, 2024.
Thank you to our community supporters!
Contact Us
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