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 Zientara told WTOP. Zientara 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.
