Switchfoot has left the building

After one year of operating the Bro-Am Studios, Encinitas’ multiplatinum band Switchfoot has moved on from their 600-square-foot practice studio/performance space on Highway 101. The space shared the name of the band’s annual Bro-Am Surf Contest and concert held at nearby Moonlight Beach.

Encinitas residents Jon and Tim Foreman and Chad Butler formed Switchfoot 20 years ago. Along with their friend and music-industry veteran Jon Humphrey, they say they launched Bro-Am Studios as a sort of community payback. They equipped it with a sound system and instruments to help underserved local youth.

Located next to Hansen’s Surf Shop, Bro-Am gave music classes and hosted shows by Switchfoot friends, such as Rob Machado, Cody Lovass, and Timmy Curren.

When Switchfoot left in December, the Bro-Am torch was picked up by Humphrey and his wife Sandy, who have equipped the studio with a new PA system and plan to continue music classes and other community events.

“I think we’re going to just call it ‘the Studio.’” Their first major show was with Carlsbad-raised Olympic gold medalist Shaun White on February 12.

“I got a last-minute call from 91X asking us if we could do this free daytime show with Shaun,” says Humphrey. “I was glad we could help. There were a lot of special-needs kids there.

“We want the place to continue to be a positive place for youth,” says Humphrey. “There really isn’t a good all-age place for kids to go up here.”

He says the Studio will continue an all-ages Wednesday-evening open mic.

The Switchfoot guys aren’t giving up on Encinitas. They have redirected their energies into the Pacific View Elementary project. According to Encinitas city councilwoman Lisa Shaffer, Switchfoot’s involvement was key in getting a community nonprofit formed called the Encinitas Arts, Culture, and Ecology Alliance, which will focus on turning the long-closed elementary school with an ocean view into a community arts center.

The Studio will host a show by Caroline Corn, Kennady Tracy, and Cordelia Degher on Friday, February 26. Almost Monday and Music by Gupi appear Saturday, February 27.