ESCAPE is a creative retreat situated outside the big city lights. The ranch functions as an outlet for recording artists, photographers, writers and filmmakers — atop 140 acres of high desert with unobstructed views spanning some 40 miles to Palm Springs. The studios are 120 miles from Los Angeles and 200 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Founded in late 2013 by British-born entrepreneur Roc Gardner, Escape harbors 4 creative studios, including state-of-the-art recording equipment and plenty of vintage toys for artists to play with. The property also has accommodation for those that require it — the Casita (2BR), The Residence (2BR), and The Lodge (3BR, inspired by the Amangiri resort in Utah), plus three unique vintage Airstreams. Escape also features an '80s-inspired Soho-worthy gathering area affectionately named The G.O.A.T., which you can drop into after visiting the wellness area to rehydrate.
Whilst conveniently located a mile or so from Pioneertown music venue Pappy and Harriet's and within driving proximity to international airports (Las Vegas and Los Angeles), Escape maintains complete privacy. Guests can also expect to access local attractions like The Integratron and Joshua Tree National Park with ease.
Over twelve years of operation, Escape has hosted album sessions, songwriting camps, and creative residencies for artists including RAYE, Rüfüs Du Sol, Cage The Elephant, Modest Mouse, Billy Gibbons, Aloe Blacc, Knocked Loose, Bob Moses, MEDUZA, Dermot Kennedy, Joseph Ray (Nero), Jan Blomqvist, Jamie N Commons, Matt Sorum, Christopher Thorn, RY X, The Pierces, and Shiny Toy Guns — across major label, indie, and independent releases. RAYE's 2026 album This Music May Contain Hope, partly recorded at Escape, is credited alongside Abbey Road Studios, Electric Lady Studios, Metropolis Studios, Miraval Studios, and Avocado Tree Studios. The Arctic Monkeys, Usher, and 5 Seconds of Summer have also recorded or held creative sessions on the property. Escape connects people from all walks of life — from business leaders to spiritual heads, the sky has never been the limit.
TEAM
The Vision Behind Escape
Roc Gardner is the British-born founder of Escape, a California destination where people find the space between the notes to create. From the pulse of major international cities to the stillness of the Mojave Desert, Roc's journey is about cutting through the noise — crafting a haven where clarity ignites great ideas.
Born in London, Roc began piano at age four and never stopped. That early spark fueled a lifelong passion for music, carrying him from childhood melodies to the British studios where Queen and Genesis worked, where he shaped his craft. From there, he stepped into music management, running a record label and building a career across global hubs. A self-made entrepreneur, he launched Sidewalk 7, fusing music and culture, before founding Escape Productions LLC to chase broader visions.
A pivotal moment came when he met the Shinnecock Tribe through the Branson family, sparking a move to New York. There, in 2011, he launched Escape To New York — a three-day, Burning Man-style festival with Patti Smith and 100 DJs, co-produced with Secret Garden Party's team, staged on tribal lands and drawing thousands. Next came Escape LA, a collaboration with Milk Studios and Rassi Mazdack where Thom Yorke spun beats, followed by Escape To Montauk, with Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes lighting up the coast. These events laid the groundwork for Escape — spaces to step back and see anew.
The desert called when Roc recorded at Dave Catching's Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree. In late 2013, he bought a ranch in Pioneertown, trading city clamor for Mojave calm. Now splitting time between the studios and the road, Roc shapes Escape and has released 60 of his own tracks over the last 15 years. In Venice Beach, he turned a graffitied property into a 17,000-piece tile mural with friends — a vibrant ode to the community, fostering a friendlier vibe. Through Escape For Good, his nationwide charity race, he's raised tens of thousands for causes that matter. Dubbed "the next Richard Branson" by The Times (UK), Roc Gardner offers Escape as a place to unplug, rethink, and create.
Roc lives between The Bahams and the studios with his wife, K, and their two golden retrievers, Winston and Inca.
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Escape in California:
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