Urban Jacksonville

Text by Adrienne Moore, photographs from clubtsi.com

ClubTSIdiscotheque is an underground nightclub and live-music venue that hosts major local, national and international shows each week. I e-mailed Brendon Clark, TSI’s booking and promotional manager, to find out how he books the larger acts as well as their impression of Jacksonville. In an attempt to create an article with the information, I realized I was cutting out great quotes so I have included the full interview. Be sure to check out the show this Friday!

1. Who are you and what do you do?

Brendon Clark, booking and promotional manager for clubTSIdiscotheque, which means I’m the talent buyer, designer, promoter, sound engineer, PR person and occasionally DJ when I get the urge.

2. How did you begin working for TSI? Describe your job responsibilities.

This can be traced back to the old location three years ago. I was in a band called hor d’Oeuvres that formed specifically to play shows at TSI. That faded after a good run during the summer TSI was in transition. Along came the new place. I was a DJ for Electric Cowboys and then I did the Sonic Underground on Thursday nights. I was already doing a lot of freelance design work for TSI at this point. I began running sound on occasion for the shows. A window opened up at the club when several people loosely holding responsibilities moved out of town. When the opportunity arose, I submitted my proposal for what I could do for the club in terms of maintaining an aesthetic on all fronts. From that point, it’s been full time. I now direct everything aside from business pertaining to the bar and general ownership. Mainly, it’s deciding what goes on at TSI and making sure the club is presentable in the eyes of the public.

3. How do you decide on and find bands to play at TSI?

Connections. Over a year ago, I searched hard. Now I have to turn away bands. I search if I really need something specific.

4. What kind of music do you look for?

This has gotten much more refined within the year and a half of business at the new location. Because we are mainly a nightclub, we cannot be a venue that lets anyone play. There are other places in town for that. I go for bands and performers who are unpredictable, spontaneous, on the outer edges of what the majority of people are into, yet familiar enough for those people to appreciate. I book bands that give outlandish and memorable performances. Word of mouth is the best promotional tool. Hearing your friend say, “Last night, I saw a guy in a wig playing really happy synth pop light his crotch on fire!” will spark way more interest than, “Last night, I saw this indie rock band that sounded like all those other indie rock bands.”

5. Do you find it difficult or easy to get larger acts to play in Jacksonville and at TSI?

This is a grey area. They are easier to obtain but harder to follow through with. The market is sparse (but growing) in this town when it comes to what we shoot for. The majority of Jacksonville either has really bad taste in music or is outdated with their taste in music. The larger acts I want are huge hits in every major metropolitan area of this country but not Jacksonville. I’m speaking in terms of acts riding just below the mainstream radar, the ones with a strong twenty-something crowd. There is a very young and savvy contingency of TSI patrons who are making these bands, DJ’s and parties a greater possibility.

6. What are some of the biggest shows played at TSI? Were they successful?

My favorite, Bonde do Role (Brazil) was amazingly fun. They said that seeing everyone in the crowd dancing made it their best show on the tour. They’re blowing up right now with the support of Diplo. They’re coming back to TSI Wednesday, October 10, 2007.Other successful shows were ADULT with Dan Deacon, Elekibass, MONO, Black Lips, Ruben Wu from Ladytron, Tommy Sunshine and Thee Harmonious Fists.

7. Describe the show at TSI this Friday.

Dan Deacon! If you have come within the vicinity of the internet, you’ve read this guy’s name or seen a video. Look him up on youtube. This guy is a prime example of unexpected and unpredictable originality and he’s super nice. Everywhere he plays, he receives full crowd interaction. Last week, Mates of State cancelled a huge show in NYC. They got Dan Deacon to fill the spot. He’s one of the headliners at Pitchfork Fest this summer. Roargan is opening for him. You go to this show and you will have a smile on your face for a good day or so afterward.

8. What band were you most excited to book? Is there any band in particular that you would really like to book?

I’m in the works of bringing this band Dandi Wind from Montreal sometime in early July. Keep your eyes peeled on that one. They’re a personal favorite of mine and the music blogging world. I’d rather not list who I want. I don’t want to get any hopes up. False hope is the down fall of this town. Don’t hype it up if you’re not too sure it’ll even happen. Get all your ducks in a row and then really throw people off guard. People in Jacksonville have low expectations. Wow them with the actual happening rather than your ideas and aspirations.

9. In your opinion, what impression do most bands have of Jacksonville? Is it accurate? Is it often changed after they visit?

Bands will tell me within the first 10 minutes of them being in town that they are skeptical of Jacksonville. It’s been called a wasteland and backwards. It was getting to the point where bands and agencies considered it pointless. I don’t blame them. I’ve opened for bands that should have nearly sold out or do in other cities, but in Jacksonville the only people at their shows are there for the opening local band. It’s pathetic. I can always sense a bit of nervousness in out of town acts before they get on stage. Nine times out of 10, the nervousness is squashed by the end of their set. I owe it all to TSI’s crowd. They really make the shows worth it, which ultimately puts a good taste in the mouths of the bands, tour managers and agencies. Treat a band right in all respects and it will pay back in the long run.

10. Anything else you’d like to add?

Local music is a joke in this town. Aside from a handful of really fresh acts, the rest are hung up on something or completely washed up. Get with the times, take a bold step, do something you enjoy doing, do something else! We need it. Just take a look at what is popular these days, read the music blogs. Pay more attention to music and art in general. People don’t want to see a group of people that take themselves way too seriously, especially when they’re just a local band.

Thanks to Dan Herbin from Metro Jacksonville for the photo. Also check out this article from Metro Jacksonville for more on Main Street development in Springfield.

I spoke with Bill Cesery shortly after the ground breaking for a new Springfield development, Third and Main.

Third and Main interview (7:31 - MP3)
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This event was scaled down quite a bit compared to the last Third and Main event, back when it was the Lofts at Third and Main. Coincidentally the old website for the development is still up, you guys might want to do something about that to avoid confusion between the old and new project.

Anyway, Bill and I talk about the new focus of the project, extended stay hotel and apartment units. Apparently Cesery and Shands have worked out a deal to house patients who are having cancer therapy at the new Proton Beam facility at Shands. Cool! So it’s likely the development will be filled to capacity much of the time.

Third and Main time machine below:
Apartments not condos for Third and Main
The Lofts at Third and Main old elevations

Thanks to Adrienne Moore for this story on The Glow. I know, I know. Josh from Inertia beat us to the punch Sunday with his Interview with Jesse Mangum of The Glow studio. Jerk. And he used the cool photo! I kid, I kid. Adrienne is a new contributor for Urban Jacksonville. Look for more about Adrienne later today. And Josh, will you promise not to scoop any more of our story ideas?

Jacksonville has a new glow, and it’s not coming from the stadium.

The Glow studio is the most recent edition to Jacksonville’s ubiquitous music scene.

“There has been no better time in the history of this city to make positive contributions,” said Glow owner Jesse Mangum, 24, of Riverside.

Mangum’s contribution comes in the form of a recording studio and live music venue innocuously situated above Antique Lily on Park Street.

“A local artist friend of mine had been using the space as an art studio for quite some time. When she moved out I snatched the place up because I thought it would be an ideal practice space,” said Mangum.

Mangum quickly realized the space had potential to become a recording studio and decided to begin the transformation by inviting local band Black Kids to record a song.

The recording process was successful and Black Kids returned to lay down their first EP. The Yusge and The Kettles will also be recording at the Glow in the coming weeks, according to Mangum.

“Right now I’m trying to work with artists and bands that I really believe in. It’s so much more enjoyable when you can appreciate what the artist is trying to do artistically,” said Mangum.

In addition to being a recording studio, the Glow is also used as a live music venue. Previously, Black Kids and Lazerstar have performed at the Glow.

This Sunday, May 13, the Glow will host a benefit show for the Humane Society. A show is also in the works to raise money for the Tomato Festival, according to Mangum.

“I’ve already exceeded my own expectations of what the space could be used for. The fact that I can use the place to benefit aspects of the community that I truly care about is an added bonus,” said Mangum.

This Sunday’s lineup includes Shawn Lightfoot, The Kettles, Anastasia and Chase Capo. The show is 5 dollars and begins at 8 p.m.

I interview Steve Hicks, owner of Shelby’s Downtown, about the much anticipated opening. We talked about sidewalk seating, restaurant hours and quite a few other things. Steve is passionate about Shelby’s and confident of their success downtown. For those of us who live and work downtown Shelby’s will be a welcome addition to the breakfast and lunch selection.

Basically if the library is open, so is Shelby’s. To me this means somewhere besides Springfield Station for breakfast on the weekend and somewhere besides Burrito Gallery for lunch. If only they served beer…

Shelby’s Downtown interview (20:11 - MP3)
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tags: jacksonville, shelbys, downtown, main library

image courtesy of Meetro Jacksonville

I had a chance to speak with Ennis Davis of Metro Jacksonville fame about his project at 15 West 6th Street in Springfield. I asked him a few questions about this exciting new work/live developement project coming to Springfield. If you have any additional questions on this project please leave a question in the comment area. Thanks so much to Ennis for taking the time to answer these questions.

Where there any unique challenges to this project?
There were several challenges to overcome. They included rezoning the land to allow a use never mentioned in Jacksonville’s zoning code and trying to convince local banks on a unique project in a neighborhood that several were still not sold on. However, the most unique challenge was trying to develop the concept of a contemporary structure, with all the modern characteristics of urban living, such as roof terraces, exposed HVAC systems and polished concrete floors, yet still fit within the historical vibe of Springfield and the site’s immediate surroundings.

Would this project qualify as an “urban infill development”? Please describe the concept and how does it benefit the neighborhood.
Yes, this would be considered urban infill, because we’re building a new structure on a piece of land that’s been used for surface parking, for the last 40 years. When complete, outside of the Masonic Lodge’s fenced in parking lot, that entire of block of 6th Street will have a continuous building edge with a diverse mix of uses fronting the sidewalk.

The live/work concept makes it possible for someone to operate a small business on the bottom floor of their residence. 100 years ago it was a necessity and a major component in creating vibrant street life. The difference between then and now is yesterdays live/work residents ran grocery stores and repair shops, while today’s residents are more apt to be web designers, real estate brokers, writers, artists and sculptors.

The live/work concept benefits the community by bringing back the spice of residential interaction, comfort, diversity and security all within a walkable environment, which is what Main Street was during it’s glory years.

How do you feel about the fact that so many planned developments (8th and Pearl, Lofts on Main) are moving painfully slow. So slow in fact some residents feel these projects will never happen?

One thing I’ve learned with this project is the development process takes time. During the course of rezoning and permitting to sales and financing, if one simple thing goes wrong, it can set you back a few months and in most circumstances, things will come up to slow you down. My advice to residents is to be patient. Knowing a little about some of these developments, I believe 2007 is the year we’ll see construction finally start on a few of these.

Why Springfield and not Downtown, Brooklyn or Riverside?
My educational background is urban architecture and planning. A large percentage of my college days were spent exploring the architecture, development patterns and vibrant scenes of several of the countries most urban cities. One thing those places had in common was a historical feel and vibe that couldn’t be recreated from scratch. In the summer of 2003, I came up to Jacksonville for a friend’s wedding, took a drive around town and discovered Springfield. With it’s architecture, gridded streets, mature landscape, urban parks and central location it had that unique urban vibe I had longed for after living in Central Florida for a few years. Four months later I put my house up for sale and made the move to Jacksonville, with an intent to one day become apart of Springfield’s renaissance.

The post on Metro Jacksonville describes this as “a new trend of urban and pedestrian oriented infill development that will soon become a major player in Springfield.” Why do you use the term trend? It implies more developments like this are coming.
From my past experience, Jacksonville, in general, is a few years behind most cities of similar size, in regards to the urban development trends currently sweeping the nation. With people from other areas moving to this city on a daily basis, it’s only a matter of time before the developments they’re familiar with take off here.

In addition to this, Springfield’s land values have risen rapidly in the last few years. You combine the current zoning overlay with small lots and high asking prices in commercial corridors such as 8th & Main and the only thing truly viable is dense compact pedestrian friendly mixed-use projects. Since we first purchased the 6th Street property, this idea has held true with announcements such as Cesery’s development and 8th & Pearl.

Do you think this development will spur any me-too developments? Or maybe kick some of the other player into action?
Yes. The rowhouse concept, is just as old as sliced bread, but new to Jacksonville has several advantages over traditional Jacksonville multifamily uses. For the developer, you can get more individual units on a piece of property, get around traditional local financing methods and it makes it easy to build additional units, based on the market’s demands. For the end user, the zero lot line concept eliminates common areas and eliminates home owner’s association fees in the process. This means you can purchase a newly constructed decent size unit at an affordable price, compared to what’s currently being offered in the market. There’s a reason, this type of development has become trendy across the country and it’s only a matter of time before it takes Jacksonville by storm.

tags: jacksonville, springfield, infill development, work live, 15 west 6th street

Interview Part 1 - Clay Doran and Mark George (MP3 - 13:10)
Interview Part 2 - Ian Chase (MP3 - 7:47)
Bright Young Things photoset

Friday night I went to the Jane Gray Gallery for the first time to check out the Bright Young Things opening in Brooklyn, or North Riverside, your choice. It featured the artists Clay Doran, Mark George, Ian Chase and Andrea DeFlorio.

What a great juxtaposition between this show and the Collaborative Surface of Temporary Interest show at Wednesday night’s Art Walk. Wednesday night was gritty. Friday night was refined. Wednesday night pieces were between $30 and $50 dollars. Friday pieces were between $300 and $1500 dollars. Wednesday night was set in a building with unfinished drywall and BYOB. Friday night was set in a glamorous photography studio with wine and hors’ dourves. And BYOB.

Regardless of the venues it’s clear the Jacksonville art scene is accelerating toward an uncertain future. Is it gaining momentum from the exploding scene around the country and beyond? Or is this just another bubble in slow simmer that is Jacksonville? I do mention in my interviews with the artists that I am a newcomer to the Jacksonville art scene so maybe my observations are unfounded. But having experienced and vibrant scene in Minneapolis I am recognizing some parallels here in Jacksonville. We seem to be on our way to creating something substantial in our city.

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tags: jacksonville, jane gray gallery, bright young things, clay doran, ian chase, andrea deflorio, mark george

(Don’t hate, I know my kerning sucks)

In this episode of the Urban Jacksonville podcast I talk with Shaun Thurston at the February Art Walk. We talk about the show

A Collaborative Surface of Temporary Interest (MP3 - 4:43)
0:10 Introducing the show
1:12 Describing the way the show looks
2:02 The vision behind the show
3:24 Future plans
3:47 Missed the show?

If you missed the show you can kind of get the experience by listening to the episode and looking at my pictures of the show or Levi’s pictures of the show. When you’re done read Urban Art Warfare’s recap of the show.

Finally and art walk with no rain. If you missed it, well you missed it. I want to know what your excuse was? Maybe next time you will drag your lazy butt out of the house and check out one of the most exciting events in the city. Thanks to Tony for pointing out the Jimmy Pines show at London Bridge. Jimmy Pines has some hot hot hot work. Check this out:

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tags: jacksonville, art walk, downtown, shaun thurston, jimmy pines