“I see The Gas Station as a model for other businesses that are not only creating jobs in this industry, but also building a pathway for local creatives to work in digital media and film without having to relocate to a city like L.A.”įilm too? That’s right. “It’s ironic that the Entertainment Capital of the World doesn’t actually facilitate the growth of entertainers and artists, people who add to that economy,” Gaston says. It’s little surprise that The Gas Station has since become a waypoint through which anyone interested or invested in the Vegas hip-hop scene passes. He’s also deployed The Gas Station as a classroom, teaching music production classes to youth enrolled in Clark County’s gang intervention program. That ambition drove Gaston and his team earlier this year to begin producing The Blueprint - think Tiny Desk Concerts for local talent - as well as hosting events such as the increasingly popular The Cookout, a live battle-rap series. “It’s about bringing more opportunity to the city,” Gaston says, “and showing young people here that it’s not far-fetched to have a career in music or the arts.” But his ambitions for The Gas Station Studios have always gone beyond merely turning out songs, albums, and podcasts from the start, he’s envisioned the studio as a fertile creative hub for the valley’s hip-hop and R&B community. Songs that Gaston has produced have been licensed to popular shows such as Love After Lockup, All-American, and United Shades of America. He’s worked with artists ranging from Adina Howard to Tech N9ne to Adrian Crutchfield (Prince’s saxophonist). “Because I care about our stories and what we bring to music.”Īlso known as King Gas (adapted from a nickname he earned as a UNLV football defensive lineman), Gaston has considerable Vegas roots and a respectable production résumé. “It was really important for me to bring quality, professionalism, and production value to North Las Vegas,” he says. That was the aim of Tyler Gaston when he launched the North Las Vegas music production business with his spouse and business partner Tiana Shai in 2016. Tucked away on Losee Road’s automotive corridor, The Gas Station Studios has nothing to do with cars - but everything to do with fueling local talent. The Gas Station Studios began as a music production spot - but it’s gaining momentum as a North Las Vegas creative hub