Artist Residency

Four complimentary studio days plus post-production for selected artists: up to €5,000 in studio and production support for a distinctive recording project. Applications open every year from 1 September to 31 October.

Ask the studio How it works
The Hot Soap Artist Residency artwork: two figures at pianos, vinyl records floating between them in mint
Residency artworkHot Soap Studios · Larnaca

About the Artist Residency

A new annual initiative for distinctive recording projects, shaped inside our space.

The live room at Hot Soap Studios: an upright piano and a bass guitar under the timber ceiling
The live room66 m² · 6 m ceiling

Each year, the residency gives selected artists four days of dedicated, complimentary studio recording time with post-production support, representing up to €5,000 in studio and production support.

It makes room for a cohesive body of work to take shape, reflecting both the artist’s voice and the evolving spirit of the studio. Projects created through the residency may be released independently or, by invitation, through Hot Soap Records, our curated digital imprint.

Began
2026
Runs
Every year
Where
Larnaca, Cyprus
Imprint
Hot Soap Records

What you get

Dedicated, complimentary studio time with post-production support for each selected artist, and a possible route to release.

  1. Studio days

    4days

    Up to four consecutive studio recording days.

    Max 7 hrs / day

  2. Post-production

    40tracks

    Editing and mixing for songs of up to 40 individual tracks each.

    Over 40 per song: extra fees

  3. Support

    €5,000

    Up to €5,000 in studio and production support.

    Complimentary

  4. Release

    Optional

    Release independently or, by invitation, through Hot Soap Records.

    Hot Soap Records: by invitation

Program scope

  • The recording residency includes up to four consecutive studio recording days (maximum 7 hours per day).

  • Post-production support (editing and mixing) is provided for projects consisting of songs with up to 40 individual tracks per song. Projects exceeding 40 tracks per song will require additional fees for the extended editing and mixing work.

Selection

Every application is reviewed by a small panel of studio and music professionals. Selections are based on three things.

  1. Artistic merit
  2. Originality
  3. The proposed project

Timeline

  1. 2026

    Inaugural artist

    The program began with an inaugural invited artist, Zina Melekki.

  2. 1 Sep – 31 Oct

    Applications open

    Submissions for the following year’s residency.

  3. 1–5 Nov

    Panel review

    A small panel of studio and music professionals reviews the applications.

  4. 8 Nov

    Artists selected

    Chosen for artistic merit, originality and the proposed project.

  5. The following year

    In the studio

    Up to four consecutive recording days, then editing and mixing.

  6. Release

    Projects released

    Independently or, by invitation, through Hot Soap Records.

Open release details: Zina Melekki, Nous jai Karkia

Recorded at Hot SoapSummer 2026

Zina Melekki Nous jai Karkia

The residency’s first chapter: a neo-classical project that expands the studio’s artistic landscape, released as a single via Hot Soap Records.

“Nous jai Karkia” means “Mind and Heart” in the Cypriot dialect. The oud represents the mind and the lyra the heart, creating a dialogue about inner conflict and balance.

From the release notes
Piano
Zina Melekki
Oud
Andreas Krambias
Lyra viol
Christina Polycarpou
Mixed by
Andreas Matheou
Mastered by
Pete Maher
Released via
Hot Soap Records
Listen on Spotify Credits & notes

Watch

Music video

Oud for the mind, lyra for the heart, piano between them: the single, recorded at Hot Soap in the summer of 2026.

YouTubeOpens player

Residency 2026 Zina Melekki, Nous jai KarkiaYouTube · opens player