Return Records Partners with Echoland Studios in Historic Music Building in Times Square
New York City, August 30, 2025 – Return Records is proud to announce a six-month residency at Echoland Studios, running from September 2025 through February 2026, where the label will experiment with a collaborative “Motown model” of recording. Inspired by the legendary Detroit sound, this approach brings artists, writers, and producers together under one roof to create music that blends community-driven artistry with commercial impact.
Throughout the residency, Return Records will transform Echoland Studios into a creative hub. Artists will share space, collaborate daily, and rotate through writing, rehearsing, and recording sessions in an environment designed to spark spontaneous creativity. By adopting the Motown model, the label aims to reimagine the studio as both a workshop and a launchpad, ensuring that music is developed with artistic integrity while being positioned for broad cultural resonance.
“Our mission at Return Records has always been about building community around music,” said Jonathan Sherman, Chief Executive Officer of Return Records. “The Motown model was built on collaboration, mentorship, and shared vision, and we see Echoland Studios as the perfect setting to bring that spirit into the modern era.”
Key elements of the residency will include:
Collaborative Writing Sessions – Bringing together diverse songwriters and musicians to co-create.
Producer Rotations – Allowing multiple perspectives to shape the sound of each project.
Live-in Community – Artists working and living in proximity to accelerate chemistry.
Mentorship and Development – Coaching artists on both craft and career direction.
Showcase Performances – Previewing new material for industry partners and audiences.
The partnership with Echoland Studios represents a bold step for Return Records, blending the label’s forward-thinking ethos with one of the industry’s most historic approaches. By experimenting with the Motown model, Return Records hopes to generate not just songs, but movements—music that feels timeless, yet rooted in today’s cultural moment.
“Echoland is a unique studio where the past, present and future of music collide in a reliable and inspiring space for artists to write, rehearse, record and host exclusive events 24/7" said John Ott, Co-founder and Lead Engineer at Echoland Studios. “Hosting Return Records for this residency is an extension of that ethos. We are inspired by the opportunity to provide a base of operations for the label and its artists to fuse modern music production practices with Motown techniques & we can’t wait to hear the sounds that come out of this experiment."
The six-month residency will culminate in a body of recorded work and live showcases, with opportunities for labels, partners, and fans to engage with the creative process along the way.
About Return Records
Return Records is an independent label dedicated to fostering community, creativity, and collaboration. With a roster of diverse artists and a commitment to innovative models of music-making, Return Records bridges the gap between artistry and audience.
About Echoland Studios
Echoland Studios is a premier multi-purpose studio, known for its inspiring atmosphere, a carefully maintained collection of rare/vintage gear and a commitment to elevating ground-breaking projects. It continues to be a home for experimentation, collaboration, and musical excellence.
Press Contact:
Jonathan Sherman, Managing Director
jsherman@returnrecords.com
(301) 335-2794
