As huge proponents of analog recording and fans of his work, we were saddened to hear earlier this week about the death of Walter Sear, the founder/owner of the notorious analog-dedicated Sear Sound studio, original Moog collaborator, composer, and — as I learned today — professional tuba player. The New York Times reports that Sear passed away in Manhatten due to complications of a subdural hematoma following a fall. He was 80.
Though a host of notable albums were recorded, tracked in part, or mixed at Sear Sound by the likes of Sonic Youth, Björk (Vespertine), Lou Reed, and many more, it was Wilco’s A Ghost Is Born, their insanely-anticipated follow-up to the great Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which immediately sprang to my mind upon reflection of Sear’s studio’s legacy.
For more on Sear, including Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo’s thoughts on the man, go here. Meanwhile, streaming below is Wilco’s “At Least That’s What You Said,” which was beautifully recorded with analog equipment at his studio: