NEW: Lana Del Rey records at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio [PHOTOS]

Lana del Rey at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio — Lana Del Rey showed up unannounced at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio last week. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

Lana Del Rey—the iconic “Summertime Sadness” singer—has been spotted at multiple Alabama spots, including Birmingham, Russellville, Florence and now, Muscle Shoals.

We talked with Ana Hyde, studio and operations manager at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, to find out the details of her visit. Here’s what the experience was like.

She showed up unannounced

lana msss 8 — Hey there. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

lana msss 3 — Hey there. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

On Friday afternoon, July 21, Ana Hyde pulled into Muscle Shoals Sound Studio’s parking after just getting back from out of town. That’s when she saw an unexpected guest—Lana Del Rey.

“We had hoped that she would come by while she was in town, but…we were not expecting her that Friday to come by…I was very surprised, and very happy.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

After some introductions, the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio team took Lana Del Rey around the studio and chatted for a while. Then, she left—but that was not the last time she’d visit.

On both Friday night and Sunday night, Lana Del Rey spent several hours in the studio.

“The whole thing was just kind of surreal.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

She commented on the fans in Alabama

lana msss 7 — The gang. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

lana msss 4 — The gang. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

Hyde stressed how easygoing Lana Del Rey was while recording at the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.”

“She has the most easygoing personality… It’s kind of like…you’ve known her for years… She just has a great presence.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Hyde told the famous singer-songwriter how much she respected the way she treats her fans—and Lana Del Rey had some nice things to say about her fans, specifically in Alabama.

“She made the comment about how genuine, you know, the fans really were here.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

But it wasn’t just her personality that impressed Hyde—it was also her talent.

She an “unbelievable talent”

lana msss 11 — We can’t wait to hear it. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

lana msss 13 — We can’t wait to hear it. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

In her several hours at the studio, Lana Del Rey did some recording (and no, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio can’t give anything away just yet). The crew in the booth was blown away at how her voice sounded in real life.

“There was kind of a moment like when she first started to sing that we all kind of looked at each other in the control room…in the headphones you could not tell the difference…if you would’ve been listening to like an album.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Hyde repeatedly described her voice as “unbelievable” and said it was a “great experience.”

“We are very thankful that she was there and that we got the chance to work with her.”
Ana Hyde, Studio and Operations Manager, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

After she headed out of Muscle Shoals, Hyde said that Lana Del Rey was going to a show and “stopping a few other places on the way out of town.”

While we still don’t know exactly what Lana Del Rey was singing at the studio, Hyde hopes that they can share some details “at some point.”

About Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

lana msss — This spot is truly special. (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio)

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is one of North Alabama’s most historic music destinations. A band by the name of The Swampers—who recorded with artists like Etta James and Aretha Franklin—opened the studio in 1969.

This little building at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield, Alabama, has hosted artists such as The Rolling Stones and The Black Keys—and now, Lana Del Rey.

The Swampers outgrew this original location, and the building was used for other purposes before finally being abandoned. More recently, though, the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation purchased the Jackson Highway building to restore it.

Today, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is both a tourist destination and a recording studio. You can visit the site Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM to get a tour (given every half-hour). If you want to look like Lana Del Rey (look at the pics!), check out their merch, too.