102 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM that would provide musicians with the connections and collaborations needed to take their talents to the next level. Through developing Sound Union, John and Tom hope to make an impact on the Peninsula music scene. “I am a lifetime musician in my spare time and that’s how I recharge my batteries,” says John. “We wanted to affect people in a very positive way. We hope our members will go out into the world and make good things happen because their creative juices are flowing.” The two men see music as a cure for isolation. “When you talk about loneliness, music is a way to break that down,” John reflects. “You can step into a studio and let your hands do the talking and it is nonverbal, but it is community.” Sound Union’s crown jewels are its state-of-the-art sound studios and instruments. “People can pull off the shelf and play top-of-the-line equipment,” says John. The studios are kitted out with all types of guitars, amplifiers, drums, basses, ukuleles, pianos and keyboards. Members can play music and rehearse in one of three large recording-quality studios, two smaller music rooms or a songwriter’s collaboration studio. There’s also a podcast room, a cozy concert venue and even a full kitchen. While the club is designed with members in mind, any music lover can check out the local talent when its studios open for monthly Third Thursday events. “We typically have all three studios jamming with members and prospective members,” shares John. Tom and John created Sound Union to also serve as a music-inspired co-working space, offering an alternative to the kitchen table or the office. “When members want to take a break from work, they can go in and play music,” Tom explains. “Members enjoy ample places to mingle and often just come in to talk to other musicians.” John and Tom first formed a friendship through their careers in branding and marketing. “It is a typical Silicon Valley story,” says John. “We worked on some of the first websites for Fortune 500 companies.” After decades of working together, the creative duo dreamed of creating a venue PREVIOUS PAGE (from left): John Avilla and Tom Zazueta at Sound Union. BAND TOGETHER
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