New Minneapolis Studio Revolutionizing Production for Independent Artists

Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 12:49 pm

Disrupting a market and trying a nontraditional business model is what revolutionizes industries. The music industry is no stranger to shake-ups, with Spotify being the largest in recent memory. Upstage, a new studio that opened recently in Minneapolis, is trying to shake things up themselves.

Upstage was launched in July 2022 by Jada LaFrance, a 24-year-old Minnesota native singer-songwriter turned entrepreneur. LaFrance learned the craft of music and production at Wild Sound Recording Studio after graduating from MSU Mankato in December 2020.

Upstage is a different kind of music production studio that focuses on being an “independent business for independent artists.” As LaFrance says, “It’s neither a label, studio, nor agency…it’s something different.”

Upstage offers a variety of professional services, including artist development, audio production, and modern marketing. It also enables access to a plethora of other services for independent artists through its affiliated network of professionals.

LaFrance will work with artists to help them gain success through their own financial means. Recently LaFrance worked with artist Helen to help produce her first EP, Confessions of a Girl in Love. In order to stay on budget, they recorded three-quarters of the EP in Helen’s living room while not compromising on quality.

It also gave Helen hands-on experience as a production assistant, which is valuable to modern-day musicians. Unlike traditional studios, LaFrance allows artists to fine-tune and edit their tracks to their heart’s desire.

“Oftentimes, these choices and tasks are just left to an engineer who may or may not be aligned with the artist’s final vision,” said LaFrance, who believes her primary job is to really hear the artist.

“To be a good listener with skills to deliver a creative vision both as the artist sees it, and beyond how the artist sees it,” said LaFrance.

In starting Upstage, LaFrance was inspired by specialty stores, taking a customer-first approach and personal commitment to the artists she works with. She leaves each artist with a legacy of knowledge that doesn’t end after the project is complete, and every artist owns 100% of everything they create.

If you have an interest in working with Jada LaFrance and want a chance to help revolutionize the music production industry, visit the Upstage website.

Helen’s new EP Confessions of a Girl in Love will be celebrated at her release party on October 21^st at LynLake Brewery. Tickets are still available!