Last week it was reported that the Central Square dance and live music venue Middlesex Lounge would be closing its doors for renovations, and upon completion would alter its scheduled hours of operation. In an email that was sent to area promoters, and published by Dig Boston, manager Nate Brown describes the planned changes:
So it has been decided that in January 2015 Middlesex will be allocating all its energies to making Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the most fun nights in Cambridge and will not be opening for regular business hours the remaining days of the week.
In the coming months MSEX will be going through some physical and metaphysical changes to appropriately embrace the nightclub scene so we can be as streamlined and fun as possible.
While the landscape that is the Boston music and nightlife scene has always been one of evolution and change, this particular move leaves several well established mid-week events suddenly without a home. One of those events is the monthly pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS show run by a local label of the same name. To get a behind the scenes look at what happened here, and what goes into putting on a music showcase in the current scene, we reached out to them as they were preparing for their 3rd anniversary show, which is set to take place this Wednesday, December 3rd as one of the last mid-week events at Middlesex Lounge.
Allston Pudding: Hi, Noah. Let’s pretend I didn’t just use your name. Who are you?
Noah Bond: My name is Noah Bond, and I am the founder / co-head of Boston based label/promoter group/dream machine, pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS. I’ve also been playing music in Boston for the past 8 years with bands like DOOMSTAR!, Creaturos, Fedavees, Doug Tuttle, Nightime Sunshine/Da Burdz.
AP: For those who aren’t aware of it, could you describe what pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS is, and the type of music that it features?
NB: pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS does music things. We are a small cassette/vinyl label featuring artists such as Nice Guys, Hands & Knees, Fedavees, Creaturos and more. We also book/promote shows, many of which are a part of our monthly residency at Middlesex Lounge. Our label / nights feature a pretty eclectic mix of “rock” and “pop” music…some of it is straight up, some of it experimental, much of it “psychedelic,” often times in the broadest definition of the term.
Really we’re just trying to have a good time supporting stuff we love. Our goal from the get go has been to put on the kinds of shows that we would like to attend, and to put out the music that we love. I realize that’s sort of a cliche response from an indie label, but its the truth.
AP: How did you guys get started?
NB: PS was originally just a product of boredom. It started out as a music blog that I would randomly write reviews for, featuring mostly my favorite local bands. After about 6 months of working on the blog, Spenser (my band mate and collaborator of all things creative) mentioned that Middlesex was looking for someone to book a monthly live music night. Our vision was to host our favorite local acts (mostly from the Allston basement scene) along with some of the amazing groups we had met on tour. We felt Middlesex was a space that offered a unique show experience in the Cambridge area, mainly because of the projector (I worked at Video Underground at the time and could get my hands on lots of crazy visuals to project behind the bands) and the DJ booth, which would give Spenser and I the opportunity to play some of our favorite tunes between sets and build up our turntable chops.
We also really like that bands played on the floor. Our favorite experiences playing music were always in musty basements or DIY spots where there was rarely a stage. The energy is just different when everyone is on the same level. Spenser had the idea to tie the night in with my blog, calling it “pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS Presents.” And that’s how it all began.
AP: It was recently reported that Middlesex Lounge is shutting down for renovations, and upon completion will only open Thu-Sat. This leaves a number of DJ and music showcase nights, including your own, without a home. Can you give us some insight into how this went down, and how you were notified?
NB: I wouldn’t want to speculate too much into how this went down behind the scenes. All I can really say is that it seems like a financial decision made on the part of the owners. While it is definitely a bummer, we hold no hard feelings. Middlesex has supported us and the development of pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS in a profound way and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.
AP: It seems that, in greater Boston, venues are constantly opening, closing and/or changing formats. What has your experience been like in trying to establish a home for PS? Has it been smooth sailing until now, or have there been particular frustrations?
NB: To be perfectly honest, pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS has run pretty smoothly from day one. The only real frustrations came from us learning how to host a monthly music night without any prior experience, but it was never anything extreme. We were lucky to have the support of some key folks at Middlesex Lounge who really liked what we were doing.
AP: Can you tell us a little about the event you’re holding on Dec 3rd?
NB: December 3rd will mark 3 years of pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS at Middlesex Lounge. It will also, unfortunately, be our last show. To commemorate this occasion, we decided to host our biggest show ever. We’ve invited some of our favorite locals to play live music from 5am to 1pm, including Doug Tuttle, Hands & Knees, New England Patriots, Bong Wish, World Cup, Condor, Head Band, Michael Leyden, Nightime Sunshine and more.
AP: I understand that the entire night will be recorded? What are the plans for that?
NB: Our good friend Adam Preston has been recording bands at pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS shows for the past 2 years. When we are finally wrapped up, we plan to go over these recordings with Adam and create a live compilation record. All the proceeds from the door at our last show will go toward putting this comp out on vinyl. We are very excited for this project!
AP: Are there plans for a post-Middlesex Lounge pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS?
NB: We will continue the label, and run off events here and there, but as of now there are no plans for another residency…though I won’t say that it will never happen again!
AP: Lastly, considering the success you’ve had with pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS, is there any advice that you’d like give someone who might be interested in starting their own night of music?
NB: Honestly, I hope that what we have done inspires others to do more in the scene. If you loved our night and wished it would keep going, make your own! If you hated our night, do it better! The Boston music scene works best when folks are constantly contributing and trying to make it more exciting. Where there is a will, there is a way. As far as practical advice, the only thing I can really say is participate in the scene. Whether that means starting a band or just going to every show you can, you will learn more and meet more interesting people than you could possibly imagine. If you see something that you wish was happening or think you can do something better than what’s going on, just make a plan and do it. We live in such a sedentary society these days – folks need to realize that so much of creating something is just having the will to do it! Do what you love, work with what you love, and you will be continually surprised at the opportunities you are presented with.
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You can check out the event page for the final pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS show here: