Inside Lorde and Taylor Swift Producer Joel Little’s Music-Making Mecca in New Zealand (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Leena Tailor Walk into the unembellished black building tucked away in Morningside, Auckland, later this year and there’s no telling what musical superstars one might find.

Niall Horan could be leading songwriting camps for aspiring musicians, Taylor Swift could be next door working on her next big hit and maybe Lorde will stop by downstairs to play an intimate show marking 10 years since she recorded “Royals” nearby.The possibilities are endless as Grammy-winning musician Joel Little unveils Big Fan, the multimillion-dollar, non-profit music facility that he and wife Gemma have spent two years pouring time, energy and savings into.With four recording studios and a 180-capacity music venue, the state-of-the-art project is the couple’s “gift” to the music industry, one they hope will help locals fulfill their musical ambitions, whether it’s through studio access, mentoring or simply having somewhere to play their first show or discover their passion for lighting, sound or event management. “The main goal’s getting people to the next level, whether it’s writing their first song, writing with a big artist or just getting enjoyment from making music,” says Little, showing Variety into the kitchen, where the staff is preparing for after-work drinks to celebrate the completion of construction.“When I started out, I never thought I’d have a chance of being a well-known producer,” he continues. “I just loved sitting there with a guitar for two hours, then having something that didn’t exist before.