A lightning strike ignited a fire that destroyed the Tuscany studio of Damian Lazarus, the British DJ and Crosstown Rebels label head, over the weekend. The artist confirmed that his forthcoming single was saved and remains on track for release later this year.
Lazarus shared details of the blaze in an Instagram post on 9 August, explaining that Monastic Studios was struck by lightning, sparking a fire inside the building. While the interior was gutted, the structure’s frame held thanks to fire-resistant soundproofing he had installed.
“I’m devastated, of course, but I’m reminded that everything is impermanent,” Lazarus wrote.
He noted that he had just completed work on his new single, and that all project files were unaffected. The track will be released as planned later this year. Lazarus also quoted a Buddhist saying:
“The barn has burned down. Now I can see the moon.”
He added: “RIP Monastic Studios, we made some magic together that will forever be remembered.”
Photographs posted to Instagram show extensive damage to the studio interior, including several synthesizers and other production equipment.
