NEIU has a new experience for our student population, called the Lyric Lounge. Student Media Board’s newest media outlet which opened at the start of the Fall 2024 semester.  

Program Director Lafe Williams, is currently a Communications, Media and Theater (CMT) student. The Independent asked what Williams hopes the open expression studio will accomplish, “It can be used for multiple things, not just podcast[s].” Because having started a podcast at her former school that airs Catalyst Chicago Radio, she was prepared to help our students start one at NEIU. 

Walking in the Lyric Lounge, students will see brown walls with green couches on one side of the wall along with a camera that follows students on the opposite side, with two wooden panels on the side of the wall. Fairy lights help to accent the room, and students are also able to see in the other room from the studio soundproof window. Students can see the sound booth from the brown room.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Alban Peltier

The studio was used in the past as an audio/visual studio, with a green screen and some additional equipment.

Over the last few months of visiting the Lyric Lounge in development, it has made much progress from a studio that was used years ago by NEIU students and staff to getting a fresh coat of paint, new equipment and new opportunity.

Dennis Sagel, NEIU’s Student Media Coordinator, was approached by several students from the CMT department about wanting to do a podcasting/radio program, “And serendipitously, Lafe came around with experience in building a podcast studio.” Sagel said in an interview with the Independent.

Williams talked with Mary Maxine Arreguine-Casimiro, former Community Relations Director for the Student Media Board, about joining the Student Media Board. In that conversation, the opportunity to do a podcasting studio came up. After all three of them discussed the concept of heading up a podcast studio, Willams agreed to be the Program Director and be in charge over the program itself.

Daniel Gutierrez, currently a CMT student, is the Studio Manager for Lyric Lounge. He is very interested in any type of art collaboration. Gutierrez wants the Lounge to be where everyone can come and create what they feel. “Lyric Lounge is not only the facilitator of the space but will be working closely with the Content Creators as producers, this will allow us to practice our skills and contribute to the content”. 

Alban Peltier is an exchange student who came to the US specifically to come to NEIU to work with NEIU’s radio station, WZRD. He majors in Audio Visual Studies in France. His work in engineering got him a student visa to come to Chicago and go to school to continue his education and work in an American radio station. Peltier took it upon himself to ask to come to the school, and work with the radio station. Peltier, Gutierrez and Williams worked tirelessly to put the studio together with Peltier focused on the audio installments.

Lyric Lounge’s greatest expectation is that students will stop by and find resources while they are continuing to get up and running. “I think – we wanted to make sure to give the tools for young people to learn,” Peltier said. Peltier finished his internship in the same week as the last week of the Paris Olympics.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Alban Peltier

In February, the early days of Lyric Lounge, what was to become the Control Room, was used as storage space and hasn't been utilized for years.

Some of the programs that students and staff will be able to use are GarageBand from Apple, Pro Tools and Fl Studios.

This new creative space will be open for all students and staff to create and open and exchange. You do not need any background in technology or podcasting to be able to use Lyric Lounge. 

When someone’s wishes to work in the space, they will have to reserve a time, “At least one of us has to be there to make sure that if they don’t know what they’re doing that we’re there to help them or anything like that.” Said Williams. Lyric Lounge staff make a recommendation when people are making their appointment, that they give themselves at least three hours to set up, record and take down equipment. People wanting to use the studio without an appointment are able to come by, but if this studio is being used at the time, it does not guarantee that it will be available. For more information about rules, guidelines and ownership, please go to lyriclounge.studio.

The Lyric Lounge studio is a place where people are welcomed to be as creative with their imagination as they can think of. Staff and students alike are encouraged to use the studio for podcasts, video, music, producing, etc.

Lyric Lounge consists of two separate rooms connected in the basement of Lech Walesa Hall, not too far from the Student Media Board offices. If students need help finding it, videos will be up on the website and Instagram page. 

Lyric Lounge will add another chapter to NEIU, another option for extracurricular activities as well as an outlet to create. As of now, students cannot earn school credit for creating in the studio, but in the future, staff hopes, they will have classes with course credit available.