Entertainment / Music
Macheso's recording studio closes shop
10 Jun 2013 at 03:30hrs | Views
Alick Macheso's recording stable, Last Power Media, in Msasa has closed shop. The company was deep in debt and could not pay its monthly rentals amounting to US$7 000. Only last month three key band
members resigned from Macheso's Orchestra Mberikwazvo, citing poor remuneration.
And it never rains but pours for Macheso (pictured left) as last week Last Power closed business after failing to pay US$1 200 monthly rentals since the beginning of the year.
Last Power is co-owned by Macheso, a South African-based businessman Laston "GP" Murerwa and music producer Bothwell Nyamhondera. The studio was operating from the National Employment Council (NEC Food and Catering) offices.
Officials from NEC visited the recording studio last week Tuesday and locked the workers outside.
Last month, part of their equipment was also auctioned to settle part of the debts.
Administrative manager at the stable Stanford Chiwoni confirmed the closure of the recording stable, but referred all the questions to the director, Murerwa, whom he said was out the country.
"I can confirm that the stable was closed last week, but I don't have much information. We are currently searching for a new place," he said.
Macheso told our sister paper The Sunday Mail that all was not well at his recording stable.
"I'm a musician, but I also have some managerial roles. It's a project that was started for me by a friend. But because of piracy and location of the studio, operations have been seriously affected not only at Last Power, but at every other recording studio," Macheso was quoted as saying.
He, however, said they were currently looking for ways to improve the situation within the stable.
"The auction was meant to get rid of old equipment and bring in new machinery that increases efficiency.
"Also, we are looking at moving the studio into town because the issue of accessibility has proved to be a challenge for us," he said.
It has been a difficult month for the "Charakupa" hitmaker who lost three key band members - Jonas Kasamba, Obert Gomba and Noel Nyazanda who have been the vital cog of the Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
The void left by the former band members has proved to be difficult to fill although Macheso insists the group was still intact.
members resigned from Macheso's Orchestra Mberikwazvo, citing poor remuneration.
And it never rains but pours for Macheso (pictured left) as last week Last Power closed business after failing to pay US$1 200 monthly rentals since the beginning of the year.
Last Power is co-owned by Macheso, a South African-based businessman Laston "GP" Murerwa and music producer Bothwell Nyamhondera. The studio was operating from the National Employment Council (NEC Food and Catering) offices.
Officials from NEC visited the recording studio last week Tuesday and locked the workers outside.
Last month, part of their equipment was also auctioned to settle part of the debts.
Administrative manager at the stable Stanford Chiwoni confirmed the closure of the recording stable, but referred all the questions to the director, Murerwa, whom he said was out the country.
Macheso told our sister paper The Sunday Mail that all was not well at his recording stable.
"I'm a musician, but I also have some managerial roles. It's a project that was started for me by a friend. But because of piracy and location of the studio, operations have been seriously affected not only at Last Power, but at every other recording studio," Macheso was quoted as saying.
He, however, said they were currently looking for ways to improve the situation within the stable.
"The auction was meant to get rid of old equipment and bring in new machinery that increases efficiency.
"Also, we are looking at moving the studio into town because the issue of accessibility has proved to be a challenge for us," he said.
It has been a difficult month for the "Charakupa" hitmaker who lost three key band members - Jonas Kasamba, Obert Gomba and Noel Nyazanda who have been the vital cog of the Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
The void left by the former band members has proved to be difficult to fill although Macheso insists the group was still intact.
Source - herald
