Independent music venues are the bloodline for introducing and sharing art with people; they provide the spaces that change lives and influence the world. It is no argument that musicians have been hit in unique, particular ways that have seemed to disconnect them even more so from their communities. Going on Zoom or Instagram live, with numerous distractions whether there’s digital glitches or connection issues, is getting old fast. The bottom line is it doesn’t seem to communicate the same spirit of live performances that we all miss. Seeing our favorite musicians in the comfort of their homes playing an acoustic set in their sweats to some extent is indeed endearing because it is relatable and virtually a one-on-one moment of intimacy between a fan and an artist they admire. However, the post-concert adrenaline that we leave a venue with is unmatchable.

As we push forward together as a community through some unpredictable and often extremely dark times, we must keep our eye on the light at the end of the tunnel despite feeling isolated in ways that are not just physical at times. The lockdown has impacted our economy and most industries, but it has uniquely impacted independent venues in arguably the hardest way, which is why we need to do a few things to protect the experiences we long to get back to sooner rather than later.

The National Independent Venue Association is working extremely hard to #SaveOurStages and ensure that our favorite music venues across the country are still there once things go back to whatever normal a time post-COVID will allow. As stated on their website, “the mission of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live music venues and promoters throughout the United States.”

The conservation of these local independent venues extends far beyond just ensuring our live entertainment and their cultural impact – it also includes the large impact on the local economy in the activities venues attract and the revenue they drive towards neighboring businesses when attendees visit, such as hotels and restaurants. It is important to ensure the economic support for these venues because as quickly as they were the “first to be closed, they will be the last to open.” That is why NIVA is strongly advocating for us to support the RESTART Act introduced by Senators Young and Bennet in the Senate and Representatives Golden and Kelly in the House.

The RESTART Act would ensure long-term support for small and mid-size businesses that require more flexibility in the effective utilization of the Paycheck Protection Program, otherwise known as PPP, so that “the businesses who have suffered the greatest economic hardship can resume essential operations,” as explained by Young. As business owners adapt and navigate this pandemic, the RESTART Act includes key fixes to PPP and addresses these issues by providing longer-term loans so that businesses can survive at least until the remainder of 2020. With live venues in particular, this benefits them as they will be closed well into 2021 due to safety concerns posed by large gatherings and gives them sufficient support to not only stay afloat financially but also to carry out the required solutions needed to resume safe operations as part of the recovery process.

That being said, NIVA has made it extremely easy to help! All you need to do is sign this petition here to let your legislators know you wish to save your favorite independent music venues!

I watched a panel that’s part of the Latin American Music Conference, LAMC, on YouTube last week discussing “The Future of Touring” and a hot topic was the disconnect of bureaucrats who can’t relate to this unique arts industry and yet are the ones making the decisions that impact their fate. That is why your voice on this matter is important, it is not enough to simply be a fan in the audience, but to actually make yourself heard too.

They continued to touch on some potential ventures for the future of live experiences such as digital VR festivals and the possibility of a crossover into the gaming world we can prepare for. They also predicted how once a successful and safe re-opening actually takes place we can anticipate seeing small clubs and local shows being the first ones to do it right and manage it responsibly as it is more feasible due to their size. That would also mean that the ones booking the shows would be local promoters, which is pretty exciting because in a way it means more power and business would be brought back to independent venues and media versus the continued funneled domination by the world’s two largest corporate promoters, AEG and Live Nation.

I took a poll last week among my own network and friends where I asked what their favorite venue was and why, and the name that kept being mentioned consistently was none other than my own personal favorite, The Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles. Aside from it being a small and intimate venue, it offers a special experience in it being general admission-only. I have seen so many great bands there over the years including Ty Segall, Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Lanegan, Eagles of Death Metal, and Mini Mansions – I only regret not seeing Thee Oh Sees there last year for their Halloween show. Sad face.

Nonetheless, I am optimistic in that I will be able to see them there sometime in 2021! To continue my reminiscing, NIVA includes Chain Reaction in Anaheim who hosted my first concert ever, This Century. That band that signed my jeans is the one I talked about on episode three of Blood Moon, which I still have, so you can see how even that small little club is special to me. The following is only a fraction of the full list of venues we can help save available on NIVA’s website and are all some of the theaters that have touched me in one way or another as a live music attendee. What show would you want to be at right now?

SoCal:

• The Teragram Ballroom
• Bootleg Theater
• Echo Park Rising
• Lodge Room
• Pappy & Harriet’s
• The Glass House
• The Regent
• The Viper Room
• Whiskey A Go Go
• Troubadour
• Zebulon Cafe

Central Cali:

• Fremont Theater
• Lobero Theater
• SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
• Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

New York:

• Baby’s All Right
• The Bowery Ballroom