Lightning Strike Destroys Damian Lazarus's Monastic Studios

Fire Engulfs Tuscany Studio

A lightning strike ignited a fire this week at Monastic Studios, the longtime creative base of Damian Lazarus, destroying much of the space and years of recordings and equipment tied to his career. The custom-built studio overlooks the Mugello mountains in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.

Lazarus, who founded the Day Zero festival series and the Crosstown Rebels label and event brand, said the blaze began after lightning struck the building and spread through the room until it was engulfed in smoke. Fire-resistant soundproofing installed in the studio prevented the flames from spreading further, though the loss was devastating. Because the enclosed space eventually ran out of oxygen, the fire extinguished itself before the building's frame could collapse.

Albums Recorded at the Space

Lazarus recorded the entirety of Heart of Sky, his 2018 album with The Ancient Moons, at Monastic Studios, as well as 2020's solo album Flourish. The latter project featured "Into The Sun," one of his most popular tracks.

"Today I'm dealing with the aftershock of a fire at my Studio which has completely destroyed a major part of my life and history," Lazarus wrote.

Next Single Survives

Lazarus said he had just finished work on his next single before the fire broke out, and that the project had been saved elsewhere. He confirmed the track remains on schedule for release later this year.

Lazarus closed with a tribute to the space itself: "RIP Monastic Studios, we made some magic together that will forever be remembered."