Since opening in 2005, British Grove has become not only the birthplace of all of Mark’s solo albums from 2007’s Kill To Get Crimson onwards, but the recording facility of choice for many other of the world's greatest artists. Thanks to impeccable word-of-mouth recommendations, albums which carry the British Grove birthmark include The Rolling Stones' Blue & Lonesome (2016), The Who's WHO (2019), Eric Clapton's I Still Do (2016) and titles by Adele, The 1975, Jamie Cullum, and many more. It is also one of the few UK studios capable of hosting orchestral performances for film scores, such as Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (2013) and Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2023).
"It's a studio that I use a lot commercially, and a fantastic place," comments The Who’s Pete Townshend. “You can work in the old way there, with old tape machines and mixing desks, or you can just use the technology as it is now. The console in the main studio [Studio 1], the Neve 88RS - which is huge - is the one that's used for orchestral recording for Hollywood and stuff like that these days. The mic amplifier is just about the best in the world.
"But [at British Grove] Mark also has another studio [Studio 2] - same size control room, with an old, converted API console in it. So, if you want the old '60s, '70s sound, you can get that too. The big room [Studio 1] has beautiful acoustics and lots of booths, which is important when you want separation. So, I love it there, and I love the fact that he's done it. We're both recording studio enthusiasts, and in a sense, for Mark, it's his home studio."
The British Grove story began in the early 2000s, when seasoned studio experts David Stewart and Dave Harries started to scour London for potential sites. A seasoned live engineer, David Stewart had toured with acts including Thin Lizzy and Santana, while Dave Harries had worked with George Martin and Geoff Emerick at Abbey Road, run AIR Studios, and managed another erstwhile landmark of the British recording business, Decca Studios. "Dave Harries was the first technician to refuse to wear a white coat to operate the machinery.", Mark notes admiringly.
The building had a diverse back story, having been used for the construction of Mosquito aircraft wings during World War II. That could not have been more appropriate, since Stewart was the son of an RAF pilot. In the 1970s, it backed on to, and formed part of, the famous St Peter's Square headquarters of Chris Blackwell’s Island Records. From 2002, in a painstaking, three-year project, it was rebuilt from the ground up as British Grove Studios.
In 2020, David Stewart tragically passed away. "The best bloke I ever worked with," says Dave Harries unequivocally. "Too many good memories, no bad ones.” This sentiment is echoed by Andy Cook, Co-studio Manager, "David’s contribution to British Grove is immeasurable. His legacy will always be the studio he created. His attention to detail and ability to raise the stakes on any project at the studio was so inspiring.
"David Stewart and Dave Harries, along with Munro Acoustics, always knew the studio had to balance the best of the old with the cutting edge, and make sure the two work harmoniously. During my time here we have embraced multi-channel audio format changes, from surround sound all the way to new immersive surround formats, such as Dolby Atmos.”
Graham Meek, Head Technical Engineer, joined during the first year of building. "I was given a red hard hat and Wellington boots," he remembers. "The whole place was open to the elements, muddy and wet. But even at that early stage, it was obvious it was going to be something special. I could tell from David Stewart and Dave Harries ideas and attention to detail that it would be a well-equipped, highly creative, multi-purpose building.
"Nobody outside knew very much about the studio," he adds. "This gave us room, if things changed and developed. There were a few rumours about what was going on, and good wishes from friends in the industry. The prospect of having vintage audio equipment alongside some of the best state-of-the-art equipment was really fascinating. Seeing the building evolve into what it has become was a great experience."
Everyone at British Grove unites in observing Knopfler's passion for the studio. Andy Cook notes, “Mark has spent his career working in the best recording studios in the world, and represents the very best in both a musician and a producer. He has always surrounded himself with the best producers and engineers and trusts them implicitly to do their jobs. He never interferes with people's work flow or creativity, but he's always willing to help guide people with his own experiences."
Concludes Knopfler himself: "To me, it's the combination of flexibility and the relaxed attitude, where the clock is not ticking in the same way as in other places you used to make records. British Grove was put together by people who really knew what they were about. It's nice having people in the studio who have done the miles, and beautiful people. The trust that you put in them, and their experience...the whole place is full of fun. It's such a pleasant thing to be around."
Paul Sexton is a music journalist, broadcaster and author, and a frequent visitor to British Grove.
