Check out Multihouse DTLA, a photo and music studio on the edge of the Fashion District

Thanks for sharing your story with us. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Kimi: I’ve always wanted to make a co-creative space for people who don’t have the means to do big productions. I’ve always been an indie artist and I really enjoy learning and doing things on my own. When I got the space for Multihouse, I was mostly using it for personal use and renting out to some kids who needed a rehearsal space. Eventually, because I travel a lot, the place was looking more like a storage space than a studio. One night, after a friend’s show in LA, it was already and too late to go to a bar, so I suggested going back to my warehouse space to hang out. That’s where AJ and I met.

AJ: Yeah, we had mutual friends via the LA music scene and so we were both backstage after the show, then next thing I knew we were on the way to this warehouse. As soon as I walked in, I was like…”okay, this place could be really cool.” There’s just an energy in there. Kimi and I talked over the course of the evening (which was really early morning) about how cool it would be to convert the space and try to build a community out of it.Kimi: It was that kind of thing where we were talking about it half-seriously, half-not. But then a few days later, we were hitting each other up asking, like would you actually want to do this? It took some months, but next thing you know we were founding Multihouse itself and investing in its creation. We’ve had the doors open for about 6 months now and it’s taken a lot of work. but it’s growing everyday.

AJ: We’re getting amazing feedback and everyone tells us we have a really unique space and concept. There’s so many music studios and photo/video spaces, but to combine them in this really vibey converted warehouse space seems to really speak to people.

Has it been a smooth road?
Kimi: There have been bumps along the way, first with funding, then with decor and furniture, then with rules and regulations, re-negotiating our lease, insurance, etc. We’ve learned so much about starting a legitimate business and the heart that goes into seeing it to fruition. All in all, it has been 100% worth it. I think it’s really important to collaborate with people who are as hardworking and trustworthy as you, it makes all the difference. It’s also essential to recognize what your assets are and not be afraid to ask for help when it’s needed.

AJ: We both live really active lifestyles, traveling a lot and juggling projects. Being a producer and musician, I really wanted a place to not just work out of, but to share with people. We really wanted to not just make the fanciest, highest price studio you could find, and it took some trial and error to get to the point were we were really providing more than just a place to be loud and make stuff, but to give an aura to the space and for it to take on this sense of creative sanctuary. I don’t think we could have done it alone.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Multihouse – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
AJ: Multihouse is a multi-use creative space used for anything from music production, photography/ videography shoots, rehearsals, events; it’s even a tattoo studio and an audition space. I don’t know anywhere else you can all of find that under one roof at a reasonable rate.

Kimi: We are known for the vibe of our space. Multihouse is unlike any other place in LA when it comes to the affordability, access, coziness, and overall good vibes that you feel when you walk into the space. It is not pretentious, it’s humble and comforting, and best of all creatively inspiring.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Kimi: I love that you can get absolutely anything you need in LA, at any time. It has the accessibility of New York without having to burn you out at each corner. It’s more spread out, things are a little more hidden; you kind of have to know where you’re going to be able to get the full experience. It’s a blessing and a curse.

AJ: I love knowing that every kind of person is in LA, and that there is no end to the creative potential of the city. It doesn’t matter where you are, you’re surrounded by people grinding and hustling for their dreams, even if you don’t know it. You could pass by our studio walking downtown and have no idea the kinds of projects we have going on there. Now, the con is that LA is a place of extremes, and you also can’t miss the hardship that’s going on all around us living here too. Like Kimi said, a blessing and a curse.