Inner Ear Studios—the famed Arlington, Virginia studio that helped solidify the careers of Bad Brains, Fugazi, Minor Threat, and other Washington, D.C.-area bands—is shutting its doors in October, studio owner Don Ziantara told WTOP. Ziantara says eventually he’ll open a new location. “Inner Ear is not going away—it will be set up somewhere else,” he said. “I’m still gonna be working. I’m not finished. I haven’t bought a fishing pole, or worms or flies yet.”
In April, Arlington County announced plans to consider buying land to develop a new arts district, a stretch that includes the warehouse that’s currently home to Inner Ear. “I believe it will eventually be leveled, and there will be a stage there for live performances, which is great,” Zientara said. “It will fill a void—heck, I can move onto other things.” Ziantara founded the studio from his home in Arlington before relocating to its current spot in 1990.