Rancho De La Luna


Rancho De La Luna is a recording studio in Joshua Tree, California that was founded in 1993 by Fred Drake and David Catching. After Drake's death in 2002 to cancer, the studio was operated by David Catching and Drake's collaborators Anthony Scott Mason, Ted Quinn, Dean Chamberlain, Billy Bizeau and Fred Burke until 2004. It has since doubled as Catching's home, where he has been known to cook for bands, as well as produce records.
The studio is cited as everything in it being "weird, but functional", filled with idiosyncratic recording gear and a raw desert vibe curated by studio owner Dave Catching.
It is most well known for being the home of the Desert Sessions.
According to Catching: "There is something about this studio. Everyone that's been here and recorded here feels it, so there is something to it. Maybe it's just all the love that's here from over the years. People do freak out about the drum room: they say it's the best drum sound they have gotten—even the engineers." "
Catching has talked about the special nature of the studio in multiple sources. and due to the pastoral and unique location it is a favorite spot for tech gear spotlights. Many artists have talked about the relaxed and easy nature of the studio, citing the lack of distraction and easy availability of unique and interesting instruments as welcoming and unique.
Alain Johannes Explains: "Everything is the opposite of a, quote-unquote, professional studio: ‘What is this – are you sure it’s a mic? It looks like a grenade…’ You plug it in… find out if it goes off.”

Notable bands and artists to record at the Rancho De La Luna

In 2018, David Catching and Bingo Richey released a signature brand of Mezcal named after the studio. Built, in part, off of the "massive consumption" of liquor at the studio for sessions.

Rancho De La Luna in other media

The studio was also the focus of the fifth episode of the Foo Fighters Sonic Highways series
Anthony Bourdain filmed an of No Reservations at the Rancho De La Luna.
The studio is also features heavily in the documentary American Valhalla, which chronicles the creation of the Post Pop Depression record by Iggy Pop and ensuing tour.