Smart Studios

Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands.

The studio became famous for producing artists such as Killdozer and Sub Pop artists Tad and eventually Nirvana. In fact, the version of their song "Polly" that appears on their album Nevermind was recorded there. The Smashing Pumpkins' debut album, Gish, was also recorded at Smart Studios.

After the initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own group Garbage who released their debut album in 1995. The band, fronted by Scots frontwoman Shirley Manson, have recorded each subsequent album there, including 2005's Bleed Like Me.

The studio has survived various mishaps, including flooding, and, on September 10, 2003, a backhoe careening off the outside junction and crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors due to financial difficulties. Following the closure, Madison filmmaker Wendy Schneider started making a documentary on Smart Studios. In 2012 the Wisconsin Historical Museum assembled an exhibit based around the studio, Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes.