Sacramento’s MusicLandria grows as a hub for local musicians

On a Sunday afternoon, Rafael Lopez works on a synthesizer and drum machine inside MusicLandria’s Makerspace. The space features electronic equipment for musicians to create, practice and record music.

“That sold it for me here,” said Lopez, a sound engineer and producer. “The price to buy such equipment is several thousands of dollars, and excludes me.”

Located at 808 O St. in Sacramento, MusicLandria is a nonprofit that provides musicians with a space to experiment with a wide range of instruments and equipment and offers sliding-scale memberships for area musicians. They also provide practice rooms, masterclasses and community events like gear swaps and live shows.

Lopez, who hails from Chicago, Illinois, came to MusicLandria a month ago after finding it on Instagram. He volunteers at the nonprofit four days a week to cover his membership fees.

Born from a project for a business class during his time at Sacramento State, Buddy Hale launched MusicLandria in 2014. The nonprofit relocated from Hale’s garage to the former location of The Capital Athletic Club in Downtown Sacramento after receiving a grant from Impact100 Greater Sacramento last October.

Last year was a time of distress for the longtime musician whose favorite instrument is the drums. “I was about ready to give up,” said Hale, who serves as program manager of MusicLandria. “The $100,000 grant from Impact100 Greater Sacramento has been totally game changing. Now we have security.”

MusicLandria, before landing in its current downtown digs, lacked permanency, losing its location at 11th and S Streets in 2024. “We bounced around,” Hale said.

Sarina Paulson, owner and CEO of Willo Salons, is the president of Impact100 Greater Sacramento, a philanthropic group of women from varying backgrounds who each donate $1,000 annually to support nonprofits such as Hale’s. A total of 275 women raised $275,000 in grants awarded to five nonprofits last year, according to Paulson.

Paulson’s group granted MusicLandria $100,000 last October, based on Hale’s application, pitch, and a visit to his garage-based operation. “We seek grantees whose proposals are sustainable and transformative,” Paulson said.

Impact100 accepts applications from January to March each year with five focus areas for which nonprofits can apply: health and wellness; arts and culture; environmental preservation and recreation; education; and family.

Facilitating access to instruments

Chris Casuga, a guitarist and singer-songwriter, moved to Sacramento from San Jose at the beginning of the pandemic. Friends told him about MusicLandria.

Hale’s enterprise fits Casuga’s fondness for music to a tee. “I was really happy with MusicLandria’s new place,” he said. “Especially the Makerspace. I’ve met a lot of really cool people in this resource that helps creatives with their work. It’s big.”

Casuga’s band is called Fake Canadian, but there is nothing fake about the aspirations of his band. “We recorded a new album last fall,” he said. “[We] are hoping it comes out in the next few months.”

Hale began the program with 25 instruments and $60 a decade ago. Today, there are scores of instruments available at MusicLandria, including a hand piano, mandolin and snare drum. Participants can take an instrument and leave a new one. “Take what you need, and leave what you can,” Hale said.

The nonprofit’s membership fees are on a sliding scale, according to Hale. This reflects his understanding that musicians typically lack excess cash. Members of MusicLandria can pay $50-$200 a month to access its resources, or volunteer their time as a trade option, as Lopez does.

For performance events at MusicLandria, musicians can access the following: a PA system, microphones, mic stands and cables. On request, MusicLandria can provide back line guitar and bass amps.

Performers can also sell their merchandise at MusicLandria events to generate revenue and share the proceeds generated from ticket sales with MusicLandria.

Hale hopes to keep the nonprofit going with the help of grants.

“I’m constantly writing grants,” Hale said.“Meanwhile, I will continue the mission of providing access to music and music equipment for the community.”

MusicLandria is open Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found at their website.