A Studio
Rooted in History
Panama Sound resides in Richmond’s historic Richmond Annex neighborhood—a community with deep roots in America’s wartime industrial mobilization. During World War II, this area rapidly transformed to house the thousands of workers who flooded into Richmond to build Liberty Ships and Victory Ships at the nearby Kaiser Shipyards. These shipyards operated around the clock, producing vessels at an unprecedented pace that helped win the war in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
The homes throughout the Annex were built quickly to accommodate this massive workforce—welders, riveters, crane operators, and their families who came from across the country to contribute to the war effort. What was once emergency wartime housing has matured into a quiet, well-maintained residential neighborhood where many homes now feature beautiful gardens—a testament to the community’s evolution from industrial urgency to peaceful domesticity.
Richmond &
Contra Costa County
Richmond sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in Contra Costa County, strategically positioned between the vibrant urban energy of the Bay Area and the natural beauty of the coastal hills. The city’s industrial heritage has given way to a diverse, creative community while maintaining its working-class roots.
The Perfect Acoustic Setting
What makes Panama Sound truly special for recording is its distance from modern disruptions. The studio sits far enough from BART trains, freeway traffic, and flight paths to capture that elusive quiet, intimate sound that’s increasingly rare in the Bay Area. The kind of stillness that lets you hear every nuance of a performance.
After sessions wrap, clients are invited to the backyard’s flower garden—where butterflies drift past and hummingbirds hover among the blooms—to sit by the fire pit, decompress, and reflect on their session. It’s the kind of space where creative conversations flow naturally, and where booking that next session feels less like business and more like continuing a creative journey.
Nearby Food & Drink
The Richmond Annex and surrounding area offer excellent options for fueling your creative sessions. Within easy reach, you’ll find local cafes, restaurants, and breweries that reflect the neighborhood’s unpretentious character. Whether you need a strong coffee before tracking vocals or want to celebrate a successful session over craft beer and good food, the area provides plenty options.
Downhome Records
Located just a couple blocks from us, Downhome Records is an essential Richmond destination for vinyl lovers and music enthusiasts. This independent record shop embodies the same DIY spirit and authentic music culture that Panama Sound champions. Whether you’re hunting for rare pressings, discovering new artists, or just want to talk music with people who genuinely care about it, Downhome Records is where Richmond’s music community gathers.
Tell John McCord Logan sent you when you visit—he’s one of the good ones, and supporting local independent record shops like his is how we keep real music culture alive in the Bay Area.