Meet Jeff Nisen | Musician & Music Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Nisen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For me it really happened naturally. I’ve been a lifelong musician, and have toured the country several times over. When I’m home in the South Bay I spend my days in our recording studio, Kona Town Recording, in Redondo Beach. Before it became a business, I used it as a shared rehearsal space with some other bands starting around 2011. Steadily we started doing some of our own recording out of there, and then eventually we turned the whole place into a full on recording studio business in about 2015. Today we have tons of clients and stay really busy. I do everything from songwriting, to producing, to booking bands, to running day-to-day operations.

The second business I started is called Total Access Rehearsal, which is a music rehearsal space in Redondo Beach just a few steps from Kona Town Recording. We opened in 2022. I started this with a business partner, Steve Ornest, when we realized there were no high-end rehearsal spaces in the South Bay. In just a few short years we’ve had hundreds of happy clients and the business is doing great.

I didn’t necessarily set out to be a recording studio and rehearsal studio owner, but now I couldn’t think of anything I’d enjoy doing more when I’m not out on the road touring.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a guitar player since I was about 12. Over the years I’ve played in dozens of bands, and I think what sets me apart would be my passion and work ethic. Early on, I would often be the one in the band mailing out hundreds of CD’s to radio stations, calling venues to secure gigs, and practicing my craft constantly. Today I am fortunate enough to play with the band Pepper, but success in the music business was probably 10x harder than I could have imagined, and I imagined it being incredibly difficult.

Through the years I played thousands of gigs either with full bands, or just by myself on acoustic guitar. There’s times when it can feel pretty bleak, especially if you’ve always had aspirations to be on a big stage like I did. I can’t even begin to tell you how many nights were spent playing to just a few bar patrons, who were not in attendance for the live music. It can feel like your running full speed constantly but getting nowhere. Fortunately, I always would do my best to stay positive and seize every opportunity no matter how small.

One such opportunity presented itself when a spot opened up at a local rehearsal space. Even though I could barely afford it, I jumped in headfirst. Several years later, a band from Hawaii called Pepper moved into that rehearsal space and we turned the whole space into a recording studio called Kona Town Recording. Today I own and operate that recording studio with the band, and I write, record, produce and tour with them full time.

I think the biggest lesson is one of the most classic lessons, “never give up”. Believe me I came close several times, but I’m really thankful to that voice in my head telling me to stay the course.

My personal brand is easy-going, positive, dedicated, and I’d like to think I’m pretty funny. Multiply all that by music and that’s pretty much me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m South Bay through-and-through! I was born-and-raised in Manhattan Beach, currently live in Hermosa Beach, and I work in the recording studio in Redondo Beach. In my opinion, everything you need is right there… I rarely leave the area unless I’m on tour. Going to the beach works every day, going to bars and restaurants around town works every day, and you can pretty much bike or walk anywhere in our beach community, so you can easily spend a week in the South Bay and have an amazing time. I’ve had many best friends visit, and no one has complained yet about my local itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Special shoutout to my wife, Alex Curry, who has been my number one supporter in all things since day one.

Website: https://www.jeffnisen.com

Instagram: @jeffnisen

Twitter: @jeffnisen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffnisenmusic

Image Credits
Images 2, 6, 7, and 8 are credited to @mikedenim
Image 3 credit to @inthebarrelphoto