A Place for Melomanics to Feel at Home
Words Tanya White | Photos Baptiste Despois
“Everyone take a deep breath and let out your day. Let’s do it again, and be present as we bring on our first performer.” So the intimate concert begins. This time, it’s in East Austin at Afuga Coffee, a small venue with about 20-30 music lovers who are all there to discover and support a lineup of artists they’ve likely never heard. Every chair is taken; some guests sit on the floor with blankets, and some are standing at the back.
Over half the room raises their hand when asked if anyone has been to a show before. This is not a secret society. These melomaniacs have found a way to learn about, and experience, new music in a unique way. It’s all about discovery.
Sofar Sounds began in the UK over a decade ago with a mission to bring artists and music fans closer together in unique and intimate environments. “Fans come to a show without knowing the lineup,” says Chyna Brackeen, Director of Concerts for Sofar Sounds, “which means you’ve got a room full of curious music lovers, excited to hear someone new. It changes the vibe. Artists tell us all the time that the rapt attention can be very impactful.”
“How sad of a song do you want? Someone to die or just feel bad?” asks Curtis McMurtry, the first musician of the night. He’s a longtime songwriter and performer in the ‘spite pop’ genre. Curtis makes eye contact with everyone. He has many songs to draw upon and allows the mood of the room to guide what’s next. No one is speaking or laughing while he performs, not a phone is open except for capturing the moment. It is a rare experience to focus 100% on the music. When the sound of the final note he plays has finished its ring, the chatter begins and energy in the room is high as the next performer gets ready.
Sofar Sounds has been producing intimate concerts in private homes and small businesses in Austin for about seven years. Austin success stories include Sarah and the Sundays who are hot right now and recently signed a new record label. The Suffers, a 12- piece band that is also gaining traction, has performed at a Sofar Sounds event, and Texas’s own Leon Bridges can be found in an online video from a Sofar Sounds concert in Dallas.
“Austin has a tremendous alt-country scene, an Americana scene, and we have a wealth of musicians from those genres,” Chyna elaborates.“But our lineup in Austin is diverse, and it surprises many when a hip hop performer takes the stage, for example.” What’s common to the Texas artists, according to Chyna, is their music industry savviness. In other markets, artists have fewer opportunities to perform and to understand the mechanics of the music business. She notes, “Austin artists are much more established, even the early-stage ones.”
For budding artist looking for exposure and an opportunity to expand their audience, Sofar Sounds has an artist application process. They also send out scouts and have a showcase at SXSW. Whether playing a show for Sofar or just wanting to get inside the next intimate venue for an up-close listen, weekly shows can be found online, and tickets go quickly.
