The Sound Wall, founded in 2017 by Rob and Jen Slocumb of the folk-rock duo Martha’s Trouble, is a historic home studio and performance venue in Opelika, Alabama. Originally designed as a recording space, The Sound Wall quickly evolved into a cultural hub, hosting intimate concerts and fostering collaborations with both local and national musicians.
In 2019, the Slocumbs launched the Sound Wall Music Initiative (SWMI), a non-profit dedicated to promoting arts and music education within the community. Through workshops, artist residencies, and outreach programs, SWMI engages people of all ages and backgrounds. Signature events like the Opelika Songwriters Festival and the Sound Wall Jazz Series, which attract music lovers from across the region, reflect SWMI’s mission to make the arts accessible and enrich the local cultural scene.
Together, The Sound Wall and SWMI have become pillars of Opelika’s arts community, blending creativity with community outreach to create lasting connections through music.
MUSIC EDUCATION —
• STUDENT SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE
The Student Songwriter Showcase at the Opelika Songwriters Festival offers emerging talent a unique platform to perform original music in front of a live audience. This showcase provides students with valuable exposure and the opportunity to connect with seasoned artists and industry professionals.
• SOUND WALL MASTER CLASS
The Jazz Masterclass at The Sound Wall offers musicians a chance to learn from renowned jazz professionals in an intimate and interactive setting. Participants will gain insights into jazz techniques, improvisation, and performance skills, enhancing their musical knowledge and artistry.
• IN SCHOOL VISITS
(SWMI) supports music education in our local schools by bringing in professional musicians for live performances, hands-on workshops, and interactive learning experiences. These programs aim to inspire students, enhance their musical understanding, and foster a love for the arts within the school community.
LIVE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS —
OPELIKA SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
Founded in 2019, Opelika Songwriters Festival is a multi day festival featuring world-class artists in a small, southern, railroad town. Intimate listening rooms are created in restaurants, coffee shops, a distillery, pubs, and galleries and create a custom-made setting for a unique small town multi-day music festival.
LIVE! AT THE WALL CONCERT SERIES
Music lovers can enjoy a true listening room experience as The Sound Wall Recording Studio is transformed into an intimate concert venue. This cozy, state-of-the-art facility offers guests an up-close-and-personal opportunity to engage with the artists in a warm, BYOB atmosphere.
JAZZ SERIES
The Sound Wall Jazz Series presents throughout the year a collection of weekend jazz residencies where world-class artists come to share their music’s vibrant energy. Audiences experience sensitive and spontaneous performances in the listening room of The Sound Wall, an intimate music venue and former historic home repurposed in historic downtown Opelika, AL.
SOUND WALL SUPPER CLUBS —
The Sound Wall Supper Club is a reservation-only Supper Club featuring an exquisite 4-course chef’s menu by Chef Chris Wilton.
Twelve – Fourteen Guests at our Chef’s Table are seated around a large table in the open kitchen, where they can watch and interact with the Chef as dishes are being created—an ideal spot for epicures! The ever-changing menu is crafted to highlight seasonality and the chefs’ culinary creativity. Expect next-level, delicious food.
STUDIO —
The Sound Wall studio is a highly versatile studio space. The flexibility in configuration options makes it perfect for recording projects, overdubs, editing and mixing.
